Before planting my garden, is there something I should do to the soil? Add someting to it and turn it over?
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If you're serious about gardening, the first thing you should do is contact your local agricultural extension agent to find out how to do soil testing. In most areas, you can get very affordable soil testing services from the agricultural extension office. The extension office will then give you guidance, based on the results of your soil test, about what substances your soil might need. They will tell you if your soil is acid or basic, and what and how much lime or peat to add. They will also tell you how much fertilizer is needed, and give you guidance for either organic or chemical fertilizer, according to your preferences.
For the easiest way to prepare a garden bed, consider the lasagna garden method. In this method, you simply pile on the compost, mulch, fertilizer, etc. in layers where you want your garden bed to grow. Then you wait several months or a season for the materials to break down, and you will have a fresh garden bed, with great soil and no digging. For more information, see Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza.
Use organic fertilizer according to its directions. Resist putting down more than directed it will cause some plants to produce to much vine, and less fruit.
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compost, but do a soil test first to see what you need
Take a little bit of soil to your local garden centre and they will test it to see if it is acidic or alkaline. depending on what you want to grow will deturmine which sort of soil will suit best . but i would defently add organic matter to it
I don't know how big an area you're talking about but here are my suggestions:
Remove as much of the existing vegetation as you can. If you have time I'd spray the area carefully with Roundup or the like and wait a couple of weeks for it to work.
Till the soil to a depth of 6" or so.
Add compost, i.e. manure or the like. About an inch worth and till that in.
If you're in a wet area, I'd try to build raised rows, if dry don't do it. For fertilizer you can use an organic or put down some Osmocote, or generic brand of pelleted fertilizer, when you plant to pretty much take care of the whole season.
Good luck.
I always use chicken manure. Be sure to till the garden up about 6 inches down and mend in the fertilizer, if you do use chicken manure be sure to water the soil and let it sit a few days so you don't burn the plants. Triple 13 is also a good fertilizer.
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