How to Till a Garden Spot

Hard, compacted garden soil requires tilling to break up the large clods so plant roots can establish in the bed. Water penetrates compacted soil poorly, which makes it difficult for plants to absorb the necessary moisture and nutrients from the garden soil. Fertilizers and other amendments should be added at the time of tilling.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Manual tiller
• Wheelbarrow or tarp
• Compost

Instructions

1. Press the blade of your shovel into the soil 4 inches along each edge of the garden site. Slide the shovel under the soil surface, beginning at the cut edges, and remove the surface that contains grass, weeds and other plants. Dispose of or compost the removed vegetation.

2. Dig up the top 4 to 6 inches of soil in the garden site. Place the soil into a wheelbarrow or on top of a nearby tarp.

3. Loosen the soil remaining in the garden site to a 4- to 6-inch depth. Use a shovel to break up and turn the soil, or loosen it with a manual tiller.

4. Combine the removed soil with compost. Use one part compost to every two parts soil. Mix the soil and compost thoroughly.

5. Place the composted soil back into the bed. Rake the surface to smooth it.

Tips & Warnings

• Established gardens require minimal tilling to maintain. Pull up dead vegetation each year and turn the top 4 inches of soil with a shovel or manual tiller.

• A gas-powered tiller allows you to work large beds quickly. There is no need to remove vegetation or dig the soil if you use one of these tillers.

References

• University of Connecticut; Preparing New Garden Beds; Dawn Pettinelli
• Washington State University; Soil Preparation and Garden Layout; Holly S. Kennell