Source: Interfaith Garden. After the danger of frost has passed, you can start preparing the garden beds. It must be your priority to loosen it before planting anything. Winter temperatures and moisture help mellow soil. Start by removing any grass or weeds that could compete with your bulbs or plants. Then dig another trench next to the first one, also 1 foot wide and 1 foot deep with the same length. Preparing Garden Beds Ensure your soil isn’t compacted from winter snow and ice. Even if your soil is in tip-top shape, there are still a few things you need to do before planting your garden -- especially if you're creating a garden with high-maintenance plants. If the soil has been worked previously, you might even be able to do this with a fork. Soil Techniques. Chop it up a bit and then repeat, working methodically across the bed. You can use a rake to get rid of debris like leaves, small twigs, or trash. Learn how to prepare your soil for planting (and fix problematic soil) with these tips from The Old Farmer's Almanac. There are three different ways to prepare your soil for spring planting… Tips. Continue to Amend With Compost. If you see old roots, pick them out and discard them or put them in the compost pile. Learn the purpose and benefits of natural soil … Pounding rain, snow, freezing and defrosting, gravity and other natural forces can cause soil to become compacted over time. Spring is coming, the birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and we’re here to get our garden ready for another bumper harvest. Next, loosen the soil with a spade or garden fork. A quick look at soil color, texture, microbes and moisture can help guide your... Test soil. This will prime your garden soil for planting by helping it dry out and warm up, and permit roots to penetrate the soil more easily. If you till when the soil is wet you will actually make the ground more compact. Repeat this all over the area. ADD ORGANIC MATTER NOW. Clean up the area. The soil is a storehouse for all the elements plants need to grow: nutrients, organic matter, air, and water. Working soil when it is too wet can cause it to become rough. Dig down 10 to 12” and gently lift the soil to incorporate air. If you dig up any unwanted roots, pull … You can also use a powered tool if you prefer. Add organic matter each year during soil preparation to build and maintain the soil. Fertilize The Soil. Watch the Using the Meadow Creature Broadfork video to see a broadfork in action. You can easily prepare your garden before springtime! How to prepare soil for planting. Work the amendments into the top 6 to 12 inches of soil with a rototiller or garden fork. Soil also provides support for plant roots. Go back to your first trench, and loosen the soil at the bottom of the trench (so you’re digging the first hole deeper). To relieve yourself of a giant spring task and to make it easier by working drier earth, amend your garden soil in the fall. Using a shovel or spade, start digging up and turning the soil. The best time to eliminate weeds and grass is the season before you plan to plant your garden. You may have some flowers planted there or some ... Analyze and Amend Soil. This is especially important if the soil is being worked for the first time. Mulching prevents weed growth over winter. How to Prepare for Spring Gardening. To Prepare Soil. See the next section for some helpful soil techniques, such as how to double-dig a garden bed. How to prepare garden soil for spring planting At a glance. Knowing how to prepare soil for planting is a basic skill that every gardener should master when gearing up … Clear The Beds. Soil Preparation. Till the compost and lime into the top 6 inches of the bed. Address the best ways to prepare your garden bed for planting, such as rototilling and hand digging. Phosphorus and potash are good for overall health, resisting disease, root growth and flowering. Finally, apply an organic fertilizer to the degree that matches the needs of the crops you plan to plant. Early spring is ideal timing to add soil nutrients, ensure the soil isn’t compacted, and remove any stray weeds. When properly prepared and cared for, soil can be improved each year and will continue to grow plants forever. In this article, you’ll get to understand a few basics about soil, their different specs, and how to combine or improve them to create the best soil for your planting.