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Preparing soil for planting vegetables

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When to water

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There many things you can do to get the soil ready for planting in the spring. In autumn, I like to rake some leaves up and spread some on top of the soil and dig them in. This is a natural way to compost some of the fallen leaves. By the time winter ends, the leaves will have broken down into organic material increasing the nutrient content of your soil for your vegetable plants. Note you do not want to add too many leaves because you may end up with too many insects in your garden the next summer.

If you have an organic composter, you can top off your garden soil with it.

Other things that you may consider is buying a bag or two of rich black soil or soil mixed with manure and digging it into the soil in springtime.

If your soil is fine, to increase your crop yield, try adding a layer of new soil when planting. For example, if you are planting seedlings or pre-grown tomatoes try this approach:
- Dig the planting hole a little deeper than is required.
- Spread some new soil on the bottom until it reaches appropriate planting depth.
- Place the plant in the hole and surround it, the edges with some more new soil.

This approach to planting can also be used when planting seeds. Create a row for planting and spread some new soil on top of the seeds that you have just sown.

If you have just bought a new home and you have to start your garden from scratch, I recommend that you purchase your soil in bulk from any greenhouse.