When all the frost is lifted and temperatures start to rise, we welcome the spring. As we all know, springtime is planting time. This is the time to get those plants or flowers to the ground. The winter season does nothing for the soil, so we need to prepare it adequately for planting. Several steps are needed to get your soil all fertile and ready to go. Let’s have a look below.
Clear out mulch, weed, and debris
You have to begin by clearing your planting area. Chances are that your garden is weedy and all the mulch that was left is still intact. The first step is to get rid of all these and leave your garden bare. For the mulch, rake it into a compost pile and leave it to decompose. If it is already decomposed, leave it in the soil. The weeds might still be alive, so make sure to uproot them and place them in the middle of the compost pile where they are exposed to the heat. The heat kills a them and prevents any seed germination.
Loosen the Soil
The cold weather tends to compact the soil. You need to loosen it and turn it using a sharp spade or tiller. Work the soil to a depth of 14 inches to loosen it up completely. Once you have exhausted your garden, it is time to work on the soil nutrients.
Add Organic matter
This step is crucial in making the soil fertile. The first step is to conduct a soil test and check out your soil’s Ph. and nutrient levels. Add a healthy layer of organic matter as fertilizers might just add some nutrients and leave others. When adding the compost, ensure that the soil is moist, but not wet.
The compost makes the soil retain enough water and drain well. Some gardeners prefer to dig in the compost, but you can easily spread it 2 to 3 inches apart. If you are working with sandy soil, consider adding 3 to 4 inches of organic matter. This makes it less sandy and retains moisture. Add 2 inches of compost annually to completely improve the soil.
Create the Garden Beds
The type of garden bed depends on the type of soil. If you have poor soil at a particular season, the safest way is to raise your bed. Some gardeners prefer to use planters and containers when their soil is particularly poor. After raising your bed, level it with a rake.
Conclusion
Gardening is easy and fun when one has with the right knowledge. It is rewarding to see your crops grow after you labor in your garden. After all the steps above are followed, let your soil be moistened but not overly wet. It is now time to plant your choice of crops.
FAQs
How do you warm your soil if you live in cold regions?
Raise your garden bed to warm it faster or covering it with black plastic cardboards to block light and keep off snow.