How To Prepare Raised Beds For Planting In The Spring : Prepare your raised garden beds for spring planting as spring approaches. Most gardeners eagerly await this. Gardeners new to our site are welcome. Visit “When Can I Start My Garden?” for more information.
How To Prepare Raised Beds For Planting In The Spring
Looking at ready-to-go garden beds is peaceful. With thought and work, you can grow and create anything. Spring cleaning is essential for every garden. Preparation is half the battle. This article describes what you should do with raised garden beds now.
Fix any damage
Check all raised beds for damage. Winter can wear out beds. Rain, snow, and ice can bend beds or produce fungus.
Reinforce corners or replace loose or bowed planks. Try a non-toxic wood treatment on your beds. This prevents sun, water, and fungal deterioration.
Remove unwanted items.
Check your beds for unwanted items. Dead plants, rocks, weeds, sticks, etc. The annoying spring weeds are trying to germinate and invade.
Search the soil for rocks and sticks using your hands. If you have toddlers like me, you’ll find weird objects in your mattresses.
Check your soil.
Healthy soil is essential for a successful garden. Plant survival depends on soil. This is why soil preparation is important. For vegetable growing, soil PH is 6.0-6.5.
Texas A&M soil testing offers a form for soil testing. The results will show you what your soil needs. Local gardening centres sell various home test kits.
Also check soil density by hand. Try dropping a soil ball to see if it crumbles. Too much compacted earth keeps it in a ball.
Till soilrake soil
Turn the soil before planting new crops. This should be done thoroughly. Tilling soil should be damp, not wet. Tilling wet soil is messy and detrimental to soil structure.
Rake and level soil. Let the dirt settle before planting. I love this stage of gardening. Run your hands through the soil and feel good.
Change your soil
Organic compounds improve soil quality when amended. Amending soil adds nutrients, reduces compaction, and aerates it.
Consider it a nutritious and tasty supper for your soil. Organic stuff helps sandy soil retain water. Hard clay soil loosens with organic stuff. The earth will be easier to dig.
To allow organic matter to decay before spring, many gardeners add it in the fall. Rotted manure should be applied two weeks before planting. Rich gardens have veggie soil and organic materials.
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Popular organic matter:
- Moss peat
- Materials: Bark mulch, compost, leaves, grass clippings
- Rotten manure
- Prepare your gear
Add cages or trellises for vertical vegetable cultivation. Peas, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, squash, melons, etc. Trellised crops save space and back ache from bending. Stakes are needed before planting to avoid disturbing emerging roots.
Clean and sanitise spring garden implements. If your previous plants have infections, clean all instruments with weak bleach. Make sure your hoses, sprayers, and irrigation operate. Repair as needed.
Begin planting
Find the “average” last freeze date for your city. Note this date for when most of your planting will begin.
Many cool-season veggies should be planted in February and March. Before summer, warm- and cool-season veggies thrive best.
Cool-season crops to grow now:
- Broccoli Cabbage
- Salad greens
- Potatoes and asparagus
- Onions
- Cauliflower
Plant other vegetables after the earth warms. When the soil is 60–70 degrees, plant warm-season vegetables.
Warm-season vegetables include:
- Fresh tomatoes and peppers
- Beans
- Fruits: Squash, Melon
- Cucumbers
Final thoughts
wheel barrow-lifted bed Growing your own food has been beneficial since COVID-19 and especially during food shortages. Instead of buying whatever’s available, cultivate the fruits and veggies your family will consume. Grow your own food to save time and money.
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