How to Prepare Garden Soil the Right Way

This is probably the perfect year to prepare the soil for your garden the way it should be done.

If you have a compost pile, you can use at least 50% compost mixed into the soil. Be sure to add some form of wood compost to help open the soil and hold moisture. Then use the correct amount of polymers to absorb water and swell into a clear, firm, jelly-like substance and a slow-release fertilizer.

Be sure to work all this into the soil to a depth of at least six to 10 inches. The soil will be nice and light and willing to hold water.

You can then pick the watering system you want. You could bury one of the water-seeping hoses made from recycled tires, placing it along each row of plants.

Or you might want to put in a drip system, above or below ground.

A plastic ground cover, black if possible, will allow you to conserve all moisture and also to heat the soil to encourage growth of your plants. The plastic will also discourage weeds from growing and taking water from your plants.

If you use the plastic, cut holes in it where you want to put your seedling plants. For most crops a 3-inch square hole should be enough. While it is common to plant on hills with trenches for watering, using a tarpaulin or the previously mentioned watering methods will allow you to plant on nearly flat ground.

It is a good time to plant tomatoes, beans, corn, peppers, bunch onions, lettuce, carrots and virtually all of the summer crops. Most of these are much easier to plant from seedling plants rather that by seed. For crops like lettuce and carrots that can be planted several times a season, try planting seeds in a flat. Then transfer the seedlings into the garden after harvesting the previous crop.