It might not seem like it just yet, but spring is just over the horizon. That means that now is a great time to start reviewing spring gardening tips so you’re ready when the weather warms up. The following are a few tips we thought we’d share to help you get your soil ready for planting.
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First, wait to turn your soil over. Allow the moisture content to stabilize before you take a hoe to it. To determine if your soil is ready, try the finger test. Put a handful of soil in your hand and squeeze. Once it is formed into a nice ball, drop it. If it falls apart, it’s ready. If it stays intact, it’s still too moist.
Next, remove dead plants and weeds immediately as these attract pests and rodents that can damage your garden. Remember, you don’t want to simply till live weed seeds into the soil as these will start to grow as the weather warms up. The plant matter you remove can be composted and made ready for use later on after they have been processed and broken down.
Once the surface is prepared, test the pH to ensure it is appropriate for your garden and the plants you’re preparing. Amend the soil as needed by adding the appropriate mixture of compost, manure, and soil amendments to create the ideal nutrient balance as recommended on the seed packets. Finally, retest the soil when you’re finished tilling in manure, compost, and fertilizer to ensure you have created healthy soil conditions.
Searching for more spring gardening tips? You can learn more about other gardening advice or our services when you contact us.