Preparing The Soil You are using typically a smaller, dedicated space for your vegetable growing and cultivating. Knowing what to feed and place within the plants’ reach is only half the battle. How to get it to them properly for optimal absorption and nutrient value, is also paramount. You can chemically and mechanically alter the soil and surroundings your plants will be growing and thriving in. Breaking up clumps, weeding, watering, airing, draining and more are all important aspects and basic skills that all vegetable gardeners should have. Here are some soil characteristics that will contribute positively to stimulating plant growth: Supply plants with key THREE ingredients Holding and dispersing moisture, sufficient drainage Water-soluble foods have to be accessible and available for plant roots to absorb them effectively How much food is present in the soil What is the physical condition of the soil - cultivating it will help You will need to add nutrients to any type of soil, regardless of what is present or not Types of soils that are commonly found and encountered by backyard vegetable gardeners: Rocky soils  Very typical and common in most backyards, residential, urban areas  Ground has suffered lots of significant decomposition by air, moisture and frost.  They are mostly gravel-like, sandy or even clay-like type of soils. Clay Soils  stiff, wet, heavy and usually "cold."  Typically holds a lot of water and not very suitable for vegetable gardening  They often result in gardens yielding crops late and quite hard to weed, feed and handle in general.  Adding texture and nutrients to it can help you create the optimal growing environment  Some produce are better suited to this type of soil (celery for example)  Drainage is of utmost important for this type of soil  It will result in a higher yielding garden.  Breaking it up thoroughly will also help  Altering the soil texture by adding coarse vegetable manures, large quantities of stable, manures, even ashes, chips, sawdust, sand, will help you cultivate it better.  Holds all additions well for optimal absorption, even if it does take longer to yield crops. Sandy Soil  Made up mostly of sands - the opposite of clay soil mentioned above Keeping it as well compacted as possible will be your priority. Rolling it flat is recommended  Fertilize, Plow, sow/plant immediately to make the most of this type of growing environment for vegetables.  Add some clay soil or manure to give it more texture and better drainage, or opt for adding lime or gypsum, which will also add some bulk and moisture retention.  Will yield early and quick results/crops  Perfectly suite to growing melons, cucumbers, beans and some others homegrown favorites. Gravelly Soil The least desirable for vegetable gardens Not a lot of plant food and nutrients The ideal garden and growing environment is rich, cultivated, fine and rich, recognizable as ‘fertile’ and welcoming to plant life. Absorption and drainage in perfect balance. It does not clog, clump or pack down; easy to handle (both mechanical and chemically balanced) well supplied with all the organic materials and nutrients it needs to create a great space for plants to grow, thrive and yield great crops. Here is how to make the most of preparing your soil for your vegetable gardening needs: Whether you are plowing or digging it up by hand, spend the time preparing and cultivating the ground as best you can for the optimal results. You can opt for protection, like erecting a barrier, living hedge or a fence of sorts. Hand-plows, spring-tooth and spike-tooth cultivators, work exceptionally well in small spaces. Dig deeply and well into the sub-strata of the ground and soil to ascertain the type and condition, feeding requirements and cultivation priorities. It might be some of the hardest work you will be doing in your garden initially and as you set up, but it will be worth the effort later on. Plowing beginning in the spring is advisable. Chemicals and additions alone will not do it. Mechanical cultivation is key as well. You need both! Manure and fertilizer, soil feeding and toiling, tilling is necessary, working air and nutrients into it, creating a perfect growing environment, welcoming plant life and growth, is what you are after. This is your goal and purpose. Harrowing and breaking up the soil is important too. Break up large clumps and lumps, even getting a roller and putting some of the other tools in your arsenal to good use to optimize your soil are key. Fining, finishing and smoothing is a great way of preparing seed beds for planting. You can use an iron rake or harrow to do so. Soil has to be fine and aired, lightweight and easy to manipulate. Here are just some of the ways your vegetable garden will benefit from these preparatory stages and steps of feeding and cultivating: Availability and accessibility of plant foods in the soil available for absorption and use by plant roots Stimulated deep rooting and growth of quality plants that are stronger Water retention, drainage and absorption are improved significantly Storing and locking in nutrients and necessary elements for growth as opposed to it running off or damming up.

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