How to Clear Land for Cultivation

Starting a new garden bed, for either vegetables or ornamental flowers, requires preparation. You mus remove the old sod, till the soil and add the proper amendments to provide nutrition to the future plants. It is best to begin preparing the land for cultivation the summer or fall before you plan to start your garden in spring. This allows you time to get the ground ready before winter freezing. Starting in spring may cause your bed to not be ready when the plants must go outdoors.

Things You'll Need

• Rope
• Spade
• Power tiller
• Compost
• Soil test kit
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Mark out the new garden bed's outline with a rope or clothesline. Adjust it until you have the shape and size of bed desired.

2. Push your spade into the soil along the rope, carving the shape of your bed into the sod. Push the spade 6 inches into the soil.

3. Angle the spade under the dirt along the line you carved, just under the grass roots. Lift it up, removing the sod in neat sheets.

4. Till the bed to an 18 inch depth using a power tiller. Remove any large rocks or roots uncovered during tilling.

5. Lay a 3 to 5 inch layer of compost over the entire bed to aid drainage and add organic matter to build up nutrients in the soil. Till it in using the power tiller.

6. Perform a soil test with a kit purchased from a home improvement store. Follow the test recommendations for fertilization type and amounts for the type of plants you are growing in your new garden bed.

Tips & Warnings

• Add the removed sod to your compost pile or use it to patch bare areas of your lawn.

• Your local extension office may offer free or low cost soil testing.

• Heavy clay soil may require additional compost or organic matter additions before planting.

References

• Texas A&M Extension: Preparing A New Garden Bed