July 29, 2019January 14, 2020 by landscape-water-conservation

Soil Preparation for Vegetable Gardens

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 availability
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

A variety of vegetables on a counter — 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

three people preparing a garden bed — Preparing a vegetable garden plot Photo credit: meganopru Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

Additional Resources:

Midwest

Minnesota – Planting the Vegetable Garden

Southeast

Florida – Soil Preparation and Liming

Southwest

Texas – Soil Preparation