what is the best way to prepare soil to become a fertile garden for herbs and vegetables?

Question

i need to know whats the best way to prepare some ground that hasnt been used for quite a while to turn it into a rich environment from growing veg and herbs etc. everything from digging, fertilizers, compost, drainage, soil types etc..and alot more i havent thought of ...hoping anyone with good tried and tested garden hints and pointer can advise....hoping to make a difference and grow my own produce!! many thanks

Answer 1

A very diverse subject. Take your time or you may do your back in while digging. Use a spade and dig a trench. As it has not been used for some time, you should ideally 'double dig' it. If you dig out two spades deep and put it aside, then continue with the next sods going into the trench. There is no need to break it up for any frost, which we are sure to get, will break it up for you. Into the last trench goes the first sods which I suggested you put aside. Start a compost heap and put everything into it, household waste, cardboard, newspaper, grass cuttings, soft cuttings from hedges. Beware of meat products. This will encourage rats. Also avoid silver paper. Be modest with your plans for this spring. May I suggest that you only grow whatever herbs you want in a small herb garden. In the larger one, plant peas, beans - runner and dwarfs. They are easy to sow and put nitrogen into the soil saving you fertilizer. If you can get any horse manure or cows muck put it into the compost heap and not straight onto the garden. It burns. Take it easy this year and really prepare for next year in October. Good luck........

Answer 2

Wow... that's a tall order... but man are you on the right track. Great goal.

I believe the best way to prepare new ground or on an on going basis is "double digging." Do a Yahoo search on double digging and you'll see a wealth of information. Double digging actually comes from what the Greeks Discovered thousands of years ago. After land slides they noticed how well new plants grew in the loose soil and started practicing that type of culture by loosening the soil at depths of 12 inches or more.

It only starts there though... for long term health of your soil you should start composting now. Making your own compost will also help reduce unnecessary garden waste going to landfills! And it’s much better to create your own fertilizer instead of throwing away perfectly good organic material. Compost will significantly save you money on expensive fertilizers as well. Check out http://www.organicgardeninfo.com/organic-gardening-compost.html for all the information you need to build up your soil, and will save you on costs of expensive fertilizers.

Answer 3

The best crop I had began with soil prep as follows:

I cleared an area near my veggie beds; I poured out 5 bags of composted garden soil; two bags of miracle grow garden soil; and one small bag of bone meal. I added 1 cup of blood meal and I mixed this up very well. In fact I hoed, racked, turned for about 1/2 hour.

Then I spread this mixture in my veggie bed evenly. I used a bulb planter to make small holes for the plugs and the wooden end of the rake to make rows for seeds.

I sprinkled a very tiny little bit of bone meal in each hole and along the rows.

I planted each seed, tamped the earth lightly over the seeds, and put in the veggie plugs, strawberry plugs, etc.

Then I put up a black netting across the entire area and held it down with bricks so those varmint gophers and squirrels and rabbits couldn't get under it.

I watered lightly; and each morning before work I went out and watered lightly again until the first little growth started popping up (radishes are always first) ....

Each day I double checked to see if I needed to lift the netting up a bit so as not to crush the seedlings.

after that, water and when the plants are well set and just about ready to set their fruit I sprayed lightly with miracle grow in a sprayer.

Then just left them to grow and watered regularly. I had the best crop of veggies ever that year.

And may do the same this year.

Answer 4

In addition to the compost pile, I also add leaves, grass clippings, etc to my garden once it's done producing. Instead of removing the garden plants once they are done, just mow over them a few times with a mulcher mower. Till everything under real good to mix everything in. I do that every fall and come spring I don't even have to till anything. Just plant. I also 'plant' my kitchen scraps directly in the garden in different spots every time. Just push the shovel in, rock it forward, drop the kitchen waste in and pull the shovel out. I have flower beds around most of my trees and instead of adding compost all the time,I just rake the leaves/grass clippings into 3' piles around my trees every fall. It breaks down over the winter and the perennials pop up in the spring right thru it. Only actually add compost every few years when I actually have to dig the perennials out and divide them.

Just some ideas you can do in addition to the basic compost.

I use a Mantis tiller to do my digging only cause my back prevents me from doing what I so love to do. I could go on and on bout what I do but most I've learned from personal experience, not from books.

Answer 5

For good vegetables, you need to dig in lots of horse manure. You can by it bagged and dry. Just dig this in and mix it well with the soil. You can also dig in waste potayo peelings from the kitchen. Good luck.

Answer 6

double dig the site acquire some chicken or pig manure add some sharp sand for drainage hey presto fertile soil also long term plant nettles fruit and veg always do well where nettles have been

Answer 7

take a wooden chair and place it in the middle of the future garden,, take a coat hangar and unwrap it,, firmly wrap a piece of it around the rear right leg of the chair and let about a foot and a half of the wire stick out,, bend the last inch upwards,, drill a 7" hole inthe seat of the chair and put a roll of toilet paper on the hangar wire,,

you're now ready to have a nice fertile garden

Answer 8

cover it in cow5hit