Spring Garden Prep: Start with Healthy Soil

Spring Garden Prep: Start with Healthy Soil

As spring approaches, now is the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a vibrant garden. With over 65 years of local horticulture experience, we’re here to guide you through the essential steps. The first and most important step in preparing your garden is ensuring your soil is healthy and ready to support new growth.

Soil Preparation

Step 1: Prep Your Soil for Success

Healthy, well-prepared soil is the foundation of your thriving garden. It provides plants with the nutrients, water, and structure they need to grow strong and vibrant. Here’s how you can get your soil ready for spring planting:

Assess and Amend the Soil

The first step is to assess the condition of your soil. Is it too sandy, clay-heavy, or compacted? Your soil may need amendments to improve its structure and nutrient content. Adding Berns Planting Mix or compost is a great way to enrich the soil. These organic materials improve drainage, increase soil fertility, and support healthy root development.

Aerating Soil

Till and Aerate the Soil

If your soil has become compacted over the winter, it’s essential to till it lightly to break up the hard layers. Aerating the soil helps water and nutrients penetrate deeper, ensuring that your plants’ roots have access to what they need. Aerating your garden beds is also a great way to prevent waterlogging, which can harm plant roots.

Expert Tip: A little soil prep goes a long way. Ensuring your garden bed is nutrient-rich and well-aerated is key for strong plant roots.

Check for pH Levels

Test your soil’s pH to ensure it’s within the ideal range for most garden plants. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Most plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0-7.0). If your soil is too acidic or alkaline, you can adjust it by adding lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH). This will help your plants absorb nutrients more efficiently.

Improve Drainage Where Needed

If you’ve noticed standing water in certain areas of your garden, it's a sign that the soil may not be draining well. Adding organic matter like compost or Berns Planting Mix will help improve drainage. In areas with poor drainage, consider creating raised beds to ensure your plants won’t suffer from root rot or waterlogged conditions.

Next Steps: Choosing Plants Based on Your Soil

Once your soil is ready, it’s time to plan your garden! In next week’s blog, we’ll talk about how to choose the right plants based on your garden conditions. Whether you’re growing flowers, vegetables, or herbs, selecting plants suited to your soil will ensure a healthy, beautiful garden. With these simple steps, you can give your garden the best possible start for the season ahead.

Happy gardening, and stay tuned for more tips as we move into spring!

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