How to Prepare the Soil for an Annual Garden

To get the most from your annual plantings, you need to spend a little time on first preparing the soil. Soil rich in nutrients and light in texture will reward you with prize winning flowers and vegetables for only a minimum amount of effort and expenditure.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bow Rake
• Compost
• Peat Moss
• Rototillers
• Shovels
• Slow-release Fertilizer

1. Select a site in full sun. Make sure it is near a source of water.
2. Remove any weeds, rocks or debris from the selected site.
3. Use a shovel or tiller to turn the soil over. Dig down as far as you can to incorporate oxygen into the depths of the planting bed.
4. Lay down a thick layer of compost, composted manure and peat moss. The compost will add nutrients and improve the texture of the soil, the manure will add nitrogen and the peat moss will increase the water holding capacity.
5. Scatter a few handfuls of slow-release fertilizer over the bed.
6. Turn the soil again to incorporate the amendments.
7. Rake the improved soil with a bow rake to remove any large clods and also to level the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the manure is composted. Fresh manure contains weed seeds and is too "hot" for tender new roots.

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