Improving the Soil in the Garden
If you’re a passionate and serious gardener like I am, you know that soil is one of the most important factors in creating a healthy and productive garden.
Good soil provides plants with access to nutrients, water, and air. It stabilizes plant roots and helps the plants maintain a natural resistance to pests and diseases. Every year at my farm, we spend a good amount of time preparing the soil in the gardens for planting. This includes removing debris and old root systems, tilling the earth to break up large clods, and adding rich nutrients and compost. Not long ago, we worked on a new bed located in one corner of my lower hayfield. It’s a tedious process, but well worth the effort for the next gardening season.
Enjoy these photos.
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- I used to store smaller loads of compost here, but I decided to clean up the area and move the compost piles to the location where all the biodegradable matter is stored. It is a good spot for a garden because it has plenty of room and plenty of light. This past summer, we grew pumpkins in this space.
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- Across the field is my grove of weeping willow trees. I’ve planted so many trees here at the farm – I am always amazed at how much they grow and thrive here.
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- The first step is to rake up any remnants of vegetables and other roots and vines. This makes it easier for the rototiller to do its job and prevents anything from getting caught in the machine’s tines.
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- Pete also picks up any big rocks that would be in the way of the rototiller’s path.
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- Rototilling is one method of turning up the soil before planting. We rototill the vegetable and flower gardens every year – regular tilling over time improves the soil structure.
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- This is a Barreto Heavy-Duty Mid-Sized Tiller. On rear-tine tillers like this, wheels are standard operating equipment. This particular model has an 18-inch tilling width and uses hydraulics for easy maneuverability.
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- Pete starts tilling the beds on one side of the garden and goes up and down in rows from one side to the other mixing in any of the leftover compost as he goes.
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- The machine is set to till the soil at about six to eight inches deep. On some tillers, the speed of the rotating tines helps determine the speed of the machine.
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- As he moves, Pete makes sure to overlap his passes slightly, so every bit of soil is covered. Tilling also helps to level the ground as it turns over the soil.
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- The machine needs a lot of control to maneuver it through the soil beds, so Pete has to go slowly.
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- This is what the soil looks like once it is upturned. When this is done it is a good time to determine its condition – too much sand in the soil may make the soil too dry, and too much clay may make it too wet. The soil should be a good combination of earth, sand, and clay. My soil is very well balanced, but I always add extra nutrients to keep it as healthy as possible for my crops.
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- Only rototill when the ground is moist, but not wet – the soil should still crumble when picked up. And do this on a day when there is little or no wind, which could also slow down the task. And be sure to wear proper safety gear such as eye and ear protection.
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- On the right is soil that hasn’t yet been tilled. On the left – beautiful nutrient-rich overturned soil. If you are not sure what amendments the garden soil may need, test it. Kits are available at garden supply stores and online. It is very easy to do and tells exactly what the soil is lacking.
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- After a good portion of the area is tilled, Ryan starts sprinkling some lime over the entire bed.
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- Lime works to increase the pH of acidic soil. Lime also provides important plant nutrients, including calcium and magnesium; improves soil texture; and helps convert other soil nutrients into usable forms.
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- Garden lime is a powdered or pelletized product made from naturally occurring minerals.
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- Gavin also sprinkles super triple phosphate onto the tilled soil. Heavy rain was expected later in the day, so everything would be well absorbed.
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- Super triple phosphate increases root development and helps plant sugars move more efficiently for larger flowers and more fruits.
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- Here is Pete just finishing the last row with the rototiller.
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- Building up the soil is the most important part of preparing a garden for growing vegetables and flowers. Rich soil will encourage and support the growth of healthy root systems. I am looking forward to planting this bed next year.
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