Preparing a vegetable garden plot
Photo credit: meganopru Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0
Properly prepared and maintained soil will provide an abundance of healthy vegetables for many years
Photo credit: Andrea Parrish Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0
Properly prepared soil provides a healthy substrate for producing an abundant supply of nutritious vegetables from the home garden.
Characteristics of Properly Prepared Soil for Vegetable Gardens
- Improved seed germination
- Increased aeration and drainage
- Improved soil texture and structure
- Higher biological activity
- Improved fertility
Soil Preparation Basics
- A soil test provides an understanding of soil pH and nutrient availabilty
- Proper tillage aerates the soil allowing for better drainage and deeper root penetration
- Adding organic matter improves soil structure, increases water-holding capacity, provides aeration, and adds nutrients
Additional Resources:
Soil Preparation of the Vegetable Garden
West
Midwest
Minnesota – Planting the Vegetable Garden
Southeast
Florida – Soil Preparation and Liming
Vegetable Gardening in Mississippi
Southwest