Proper care of the soil before you begin planting will lead to major rewards later.
Anyone can grow a garden, whether his thumbs are green or brown. By selecting the right plants, you can grow your own hearty fare--or hardy roses--regardless of your experience and gardening proclivity. However, even the toughest plants need to have a good home where they can "put down roots" happily and healthily. Preparing the soil and area where you intend to plant your garden ahead of time can make the difference between a struggling, straggly bunch of sickly flowers and your very own backyard paradise.
Instructions
1. Decide on a location. Most plants need at least several hours of sunlight, so watch the area where you want to plant your garden to make sure that it gets enough sun. Morning light is better than afternoon light, so also factor in when the sun hits the area. If it is fully shaded, you will need to buy shade-loving plants or clear the area so that your seedlings get the sunlight they need to thrive.
2. Once you have selected a location for your garden, you will need to break up the soil. Just planting a plant in a hole will not be sufficient, as the roots need to be able to reach through the soil, and water and nutrients need to be able to get into the soil so that your plants can absorb them. Drive the tines of a deep spader into the ground and shovel up a layer of dirt. Leave the dirt exposed behind you as you work your way across your garden area. All of the soil must be upturned to give your plants' roots the best shot at growing easily and quickly.
3. Use the cultivating fork to further break up and aerate the soil. Simply jab it into the ground over and over throughout the garden area. Use it to break up the big pieces of earth you overturned with the deep spader, and also to make many small holes in the soil.
4. Using the garden rake, spread a thick layer of mulch over the soil, then rake it through the loose dirt so that it is combined with the soil. The mulch will provide vital nutrients in large quantities for your plants.
5. Spread a layer of gypsum on top of the soil. Gypsum helps keep soil loose, aerated and irrigated year after year. Once you have planted your garden, you will not be able to "chop up" the soil every year, as that would damage the plants. Gypsum helps keep the soil broken up without interfering with your plants. Now you are ready to start your garden, so get out there and plant some flowers.
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