Soil Preparation for Gardens and Lawns

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Soil Preparation for Gardens and Lawns
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• Good news fellow green thumbers, its time to get
  your gardening tools and gloves ready for spring!
  As we slowly enter into April, the snow melts
  into the ground and the cold winters break into
  longer, warmer days many of us become eager to
  start planting in our gardens but it is important
  to care for the soil at this stage by adding back
  important nutrients and improving texture so that
  healthy plants can flourish.
• Heres a checklist to get your soil preparation
  for gardens and lawns started

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1. When can we start digging? Check the soil
conditions.

• A mistake that many make is working on the
  soil too early. Allow the melting snow and spring
  rain to pass and the earth to dry out a bit
  before attempting to do any work. Heavy, wet soil
  is difficult to work with and doesnt break up
  into loose, plant-friendly texture. Also,
  treading across wet ground will further compact
  the soil making it much more difficult to dig up
  later.
• Is the soil dry enough? Do a quick test!

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• Squeeze a handful of soil and form a ball in
  your hands. If the lump of soil shatters easily
  when given a tap, it is ready! If the lump keeps
  its shape or breaks apart in solid sections, it
  still contains too much water and you must let it
  dry out some more. Clay soil, the type commonly
  found in Mississauga, when too wet will feel
  slick when rubbed between the fingers.

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2. Clearing the area

• Springtime is often associated with new birth
  and green growth, but as the white snow melts, we
  are often left with areas of debris, rocks and
  twigs. These need to be cleared away. A spade or
  a hoe is a handy tool to have.

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3. Dig deep and loosen the soil

• Dont make the common mistake by using lousy
  soil. Plant roots grow below the ground so
  remember to dig deep! It is best to work soil 10
  to 12 inches deep.

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4. Adding organic matter

• Lay the organic matter on top of the
  loosened, prepared soil and work the material
  thoroughly into the soil with a spade or a fork.
  Make sure it is even distributed. You cant
  change the soil you have but adding organic
  matter drastically improves the overall soil
  quality.
• Organic matter improves the soil by
• It helps loosen and aerate clay soil
• It improves the water and nutrient-holding
  capacity of sandy soil

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• Add lots of organic matter such as
• compost
• manure
• peat moss
• grass clippings
• aged sawdust
• Spring soil preparations maybe hard and
  tedious work but it can save you untold
  disappointments and ensure you give your new
  plants and seedlings the best nutritious soil to
  grow and thrive in.
• For more free landscaping advice, please
  contact us and we will be more than happy to help
  you out.

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