The soil for a vegetable garden should be prepared.
If you want to grow your own vegetables, you need the right type of soil for your plants to thrive.It is possible to prepare the soil to get the best yield in the growing season.If you want to adjust the pH and drainage in your garden, you need to test the soil and use organic materials.Form the soil into rows so you can plant your vegetables.
Step 1: It's a good idea to place an area for your garden to get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Vegetables need a lot of sunlight in order to grow healthy.If you want to grow vegetables in your yard, you have to find a place that has enough space for them.Place garden stakes in the corners of the yard so you don't forget where you are.It is possible to make a vegetable garden of any size, but you must have at least 50 square feet of space to grow multiple vegetables.
Step 2: The soil must be loosened to a depth of 8–10 in (20–25 cm).
Use a spade or shovel to dig into the ground.The top of your plot should be in the bottom of the soil.Break apart large clods of dirt until the soil has a similar size and consistency.Before you loosen the soil underneath, you need to remove the grass or sod.If you want to loosen the soil quickly, you can use a motorized tiller.Daily equipment rentals are offered by many hardware and outdoor care stores.
Step 3: If you squeeze the soil in your hand, it will collapse.
You don't want to get skin irritation from dirt or plants if you put on gardening gloves.Take a small amount of the soil and squeeze it into your hands.When you squeeze on the soil, it should form a loose ball.The clay soil is too thick for plant growth if the soil forms a hard ball.It is too sandy if the soil doesn't form a ball.The make-up of the soil in your garden plot could vary from location to location.
Step 4: A soil test kit can be used to check the strength of the soil.
You can collect soil samples from different locations in your garden plot and mix them together with your trowel.Break open the capsule in each container when you scoop the soil into the containers provided in a soil test kit.Shake the containers vigorously until the water changes color.You can compare the colors of the water to the guide that comes with the test kit.You can buy soil test kits from gardening stores.You can check the soil levels with a soil test kit.The vegetable gardens should have a slightly acidic pH.If you want, you can send soil samples to a university lab or soil sampling company to get more accurate tests.
Step 5: The drainage of your soil can be measured.
You can fill the hole in your garden plot with water by using your hose.The hole should be drained overnight before being filled again.Measure the water level after an hour to see how much has been drained.Vegetables won't receive enough water if the water drain quickly.If the water doesn't drain quickly, the vegetable roots could rot.
Step 6: Prepare the soil at least 3 weeks in advance of planting.
When you plant vegetables, the soil needs time to absorb vitamins and minerals.At least 3 weeks before you plan on planting vegetables, turn the soil back into it's original state.Make sure all of the dirt clods are the same size.If you have time, you can amend the soil as early as the fall or winter.
Step 7: Remove the weeds, sticks, and rocks from the soil.
If you want to find weeds, large sticks, or stones in your garden plot, use a rake to sift through your soil.When you pull out weeds, make sure to get as many roots out of the soil as possible.Do your best to get rid of as much waste as you can.If you put weed roots in compost bins, they could grow back and affect the quality of the compost.It's okay if you can't remove all of the branches from the soil.
Step 8: gypsum can be added to clay soils to break it apart.
The clay soil can be loosened by adding gypsum to it.For every 100 square feet in your garden plot, spread about 3–4 pounds of gypsum.Put gypsum into the soil with a shovel or spade.You can buy gypsum from your local store.If gypsum is used in sandy soils, it will make it looser.
Step 9: To fix sandy soil or lower the pH, mix in up to 4 in (10 cm) of compost.
Compost and manure can help decrease the pH of your soil.Compost can help improve drainage and keep plants healthy.Put a layer of compost on top of your soil and then mix it with your shovel.If you want to add more, you can put in an additional 2 inches.You can either buy compost or make your own.If you make your own, don't use animal or meat products in the compost bin since it can affect your vegetables.If you need to make any more amendments, you should test the soil's pH after you add compost or manure.
Step 10: Raise the pH by turning lime into the soil.
Lime is a basic mix that decreases the acidity in your soil.Spread a hydrated lime mix for every 100 square feet of soil in your garden plot.To make it less acidic, stir the lime deep in the soil.You can buy lime from the store.
Step 11: Adding even more nitrogen to the soil is a must.
NPKfertilizer has different mixes of Nitrogen,Phosphory, andPotassium to help your plants get the right amount.For every 100 square feet of garden you have, mix in 1 pound of 10-10-10.Before you plant your vegetables, you should turn thefertilizer into the soil.If the soil already has enough nutrition, don't applyfertilizer to it.
Step 12: Plan your garden rows so there is at least 12 in between them.
You have enough space between your plants if you plant vegetable gardens in rows.If the vegetables you want to plant have special spacing requirements, check the specifications on the seeds.You can easily form your rows later if you mark where you want to place them.Depending on the type of vegetables you plan to grow, the distance between your rows may be different.Broccoli needs at least 30 inches between each row to grow fully.If you do not want to, you don't need to make your rows straight.
Step 13: Rows are 8–10 in (20–25 cm) tall when Rake your garden.
The raised mounds are about 20 cm tall and can be pushed with a garden hoe or rake.The base of each row should be at least 6 inches (15 cm) wide to give your vegetables room to grow.Continue to form your rows so they have valleys between them.It ensures that your plants grow in healthy soil if you don't make raised rows.
Step 14: The rows have to be 6–8 in (15–20 cm) wide.
Vegetables can grow straight down if your rows are level.To flatten the soil on top of the row, use the back of your shovel or hoe.The roots have room to grow if the top of the row is at least 15 cm wide.
Step 15: You can keep weeds out of your garden by covering it with mulch.
Weeds can grow in your garden if the soil is mulched.There is a layer of mulch between your rows.A standard mulch mix can be used.It will be difficult for vegetables to grow through mulch on top of your rows.