The turn of February and March 2026 brings intensive preparations for the spring season in Poland. While municipalities in Lublin, Łódź, and Gdynia grapple with the effects of thaws and road surface damage, the agricultural sector and gardening enthusiasts focus on maintenance work. Key challenges include protecting winter crops from waterlogging, nitrogen fertilization, and precise pruning of ornamental and fruit shrubs to maximize future yields.
Road Repairs After Winter
Municipalities across Poland, including Lublin and Łódź, are beginning to patch potholes in roadways that formed after the thaw.
Critical Time for Agriculture
Farmers are battling waterlogging in fields and planning the first nitrogen dose for wheat and rapeseed.
Spring Garden Care
The season for pruning shrubs (hydrangeas, raspberries, roses) and liming and regenerating lawns is underway.
January Precipitation Anomaly
Despite the winter weather, this January turned out to be one of the driest in the last quarter-century.
The final days of February 2026 mark a symbolic and practical end to winter in Poland, necessitating multi-area repair and maintenance actions. The dominant nationwide topic is the state of road infrastructure after the frost recedes. Cities like Lublin have already announced the start of full-scale post-winter road repairs, while residents of Gdynia and Koszalin report numerous sidewalk damages and lingering mud. The situation in municipalities varies; in Gdyni, comprehensive cleanups are planned only for April, causing dissatisfaction among local communities concerned about public space safety and aesthetics. In the agricultural sector, attention is focused on the condition of winter crops. Experts warn that after the thaw, waterlogging occurs in many fields, which can lead to frost damage or rotting of plants. Farmers face a dilemma: save current crops through intensive fertilization with nitrogen, or opt for costly reseeding. The timing of the first fertilizer application for wheat and rapeseed is particularly crucial, which, under current humidity conditions, requires a precise strategy to avoid nutrient loss. Poland, due to its geographical location and transitional climate, has struggled for decades with the cyclical problem of "potholes in roads" after each winter season, resulting from frequent temperature fluctuations around zero degrees Celsius.Simultaneously, private gardens are experiencing a period of increased activity. February and March are critical times for performing thinning and shaping cuts for raspberries, roses, and hydrangeas. Proper pruning of shrubs during this period is essential for their health and abundant summer flowering. Experts also recommend special attention to lawn care, which after winter is often affected by snow mold. One solution is liming the soil to reduce moss and acidity. Additionally, home methods for fertilizing tulips or rhododendrons are gaining popularity as an alternative to chemical preparations. 10% — by how much wheat yield can be increased through tilleringIn climatic terms, an unusual phenomenon was noted: January 2026 was recognized as one of the driest in the 21st century in Poland, despite the occurrence of frosts. This anomaly, combined with rapid thaws in February, creates difficult conditions for water management. While nature awakens to life, public institutions are already planning investments for the next season – including the construction of new recreational facilities, such as modern ice rinks, which are to be ready before the next winter.
Mentioned People
- Prof. Szczepaniak — An expert explaining issues of field fertilization after the thaw.