The soil should feel fluffy, like it is full of air, because this means it gets plenty of oxygen. This is also a good time to see if there are lots of worms and insects in the soil, as this usually means the soil is fairly rich. Depending on what the soil is like in your area, you can add soil amendments later to get it to the proper makeup. Generally, dark brown or nearly black soil is best because it tends to mean the soil has a lot of decomposing organic matter and is rich in nutrients. Pale brown or nearly yellow soil tends to be less nutrient rich. You can get a better understanding of the makeup of your soil by taking samples from several places. Place the samples in a mason jar and mix them together. When the soil settles, you’ll be able to better see the soil’s makeup.
Ideal pH for most vegetable plants is around 6. 0-7. 5. Adding lime is a common way to adjust the pH of soil, but it is a long process that take about six months to fully take effect in the soil. You can make up for other lacking nutrients with fertilizer and compost, which will be discussed more later.
You can perform this test once a week or so until the soil is dry enough to begin garden preparation. Soil that has a high clay content will pack more, but this does not necessarily mean the soil is too wet.
Stick four stakes into the ground to form the rectangle of the garden plot.
All of this can go to the compost pile for later use, but shouldn’t be incorporated back into the soil until it has composted. You may also want a bin ready just for composting this layer outside of other composts you might have. If you have a tiller, you don’t have to dig up the existing plants; instead, till in whatever is currently growing. After you till, you should be able to remove the plants, roots and all, from the broken up soil. This is better for the soil because the remaining dead plants and roots will break down and contribute organic matter to your soil.
As you dig through the soil, remove any large stones, along with any roots or debris (eg, bits of metal, plastic etc) you encounter. You may need to make more than one pass to break up very compacted soils. This may be the most time consuming part of the project, especially if you end up finding a lot of rocks or other debris. It’s good to have a garbage can nearby in which you can throw anything you find in the soil.
A garden center will help you figure out the exact amount of lime you need for your garden. It depends on how large the garden is and how much you need to change the pH. Spreading lime requires a specific method, so don’t assume you just throw some on the soil. You’ll also want to seek guidance regarding sulfur use that is specific to your garden’s needs.
Base any amendments on the results of your soil test. You don’t want to overdo it with adding sand or clay, so try to add a little at a time to even out the overall texture of the soil. You may want to add gypsum or perlite which help to aerate the soil if your test reveals low oxygen content. Sphagnum peat moss is a helpful amendment if you can tell the soil is pretty dry as it helps retain moisture and slowly release it into the soil. You may need to add some basic fertilizer which can help balance the nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are all vital to healthy plant growth.
Organic matter can include shredded brown and green leaves, horse manure, wood chips, or compost, such as fruit and vegetable scraps. You don’t not need to add organic matter to the entire 12-18 inches you previously dug, but add it to the top 6-8 inches. Do not add meat, fish, or dairy as organic matter into the soil. Likewise, if you choose to maintain a compost bin or pile, never add these types of scraps to it.
Don’t mix your compost in too deeply. Till the soil lightly to mix the materials into the top few inches of soil, where a majority of the plants’ feeder roots will be looking for nutrients. It might be a good idea to lightly water the soil after turning it again so that everything can soak together.
If you have lots of trees, houses nearby, or other things that would block the sun, you may need to pay attention to your yard for a week or so to find the spot that gets sunlight for the longest time each day.
As you start to dig later on, you’ll be able to tell if the soil has a lot of tree roots or not. If the spot you chose ends up having too many roots, it may be best to move to a different spot if possible.
To find a spot that gets good drainage, wait until a few hours after a heavy rain and then go look around your yard for places where water is pooling. Avoid placing your garden in these spaces.
