Garden Soil

Preparing your soil: Getting started

When it comes to gardening, it’s easy to get carried away with deciding which plants, trees, and shrubs to plant. We tend to get focused on how wonderful the greenery will look and how those brilliant blooms will brighten our yards. But in order to achieve the most lush look possible, it’s vitally important to do the dirty work — prepare your garden soil.

To achieve the best results possible, don’t even step into a nursery until your soil is ready. Otherwise your plants will spend too much time in the suffocating plastic packets at home as you get your garden soil ready for planting.

If you’re starting fresh with a new garden area, the first thing you should do is remove any large debris — rocks, branches, sticks. Then lay out the shape of your garden using string.

Then you’ll need to consider the quality of your existing soil, including the pH level; which fertilizers your garden soil will need, and what additives and organic matter will work best to give you a robust, vibrant garden.

Becoming familiar with your soil is key to the success of your garden. It will guide you in how to fertilize and water, and, ultimately, be the basis of a thriving garden!

©2003 Garden Soil dot com