garden help?

Question

i dug my garden but i only hve a shovel how can i get the chunks of dirt smaller or do i need to

Answer 1

Those shovel clumps are holding together because of the high clay content of your soil. Buy a bag of peat moss and do whats called "double digging". Dig the whole bed, to a depth of 6 or 8 inches. Cover it with an inch or two of loosened peat, and dig it completely over again. Then use a garden rake to break the smaller clumps up and smooth the surface.

Answer 2

If you havent planted yet get an inexpensive garden rake with hard tines.

If you feel ambitious and the soil is quality get a section of wire mesh 1/4 to 1/2 inch squares. Set it up on blocks, logs, trash cans, saw horses, etc, and sift the soil into smaller particles.

Remove as much weed material as you can by hand,,, prepare to get dirty, and remove as many largest rocks as you can, then take the sifted soil, lay it out about 2 inches thick, plant your plants or seeds, add proper fertilizers, plant the seeds or plants at the recommended depth, water and be patient.

Rev. Steven

Answer 3

I've done it but it is a lot more work than using a hoe. You push the shovel strait in and pry it up then move back a couple of inches and do it again until the area is broken up. Then go across perpendicular to the original line you took. Like I said, a lot of work but it does get down deeper than a hoe can in heavy soil.

Answer 4

the best thing to do it till the ground.... if you only have a shove you should just get some wood and dirt and make a raised box top garden

Answer 5

there is a tool called "the garden weasle" that works pretty well for breaking up clods. it looks like a hoe, but has several rotating disks with tines on the end of it. i think they have them at home depot, lowes or orchard supply.