Soil Testing, Preparation and Management
By: Marie Fingerhut
Healthy, nutrient-rich soil is the key to a successful vegetable garden! Both water and nutrients reach your plants through the soil so the better the soil, the better the harvest. A soil test will provide you with the information you need to understand the current condition of your soil and help you determine what you need to do to prepare your soil before planting. The best time to test your soil is after harvest in the fall or before spring fertilization. You can test the soil yourself using a simple, inexpensive kit purchased from a catalog or garden center or for a small fee use the soil testing service provided by the County Cooperative Extension offices throughout the state. The result of your soil test will tell you what nutrients you need to add to the soil. It will also direct you how to adjust the pH of your soil if necessary. Most vegetables require a pH range from 6.0 to 6.8 for optimal growth.
In addition to nutrient status and pH, you need to examine the “tilth” of your soil. Tilth refers to the physical condition of the soil. Healthy soil is friable (crumbly) and well drained. The best way to improve the physical condition of your soil is by adding organic matter such as compost or peat moss. New gardens may need 4 to 8 inches of organic matter the first year or two if the soil quality is poor. Even if the tilth of soil is good, it’s important to add compost – you really can’t add to much compost!
Prepare your new or established garden in the spring by tilling the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. This will loosen and aerate the soil. Do NOT work the soil when it is too wet – this can destroy the soil structure. Tilling too often can also destroy the soil structure. Till in the spring and fall to prepare the soil and turn under organic matter and fertilizers.
Unlike compost, you CAN add too much fertilizer! Fertilizer is best added as directed by the results of your soil test in the early spring. Adding fertilizer before you turn the soil will incorporate the nutrients evenly throughout the soil. You should do this at least a couple of weeks before planting. This allows time for the fertilizer to break down which avoids burning the tender roots of your new plants. The nutrient needs of your vegetable plants will vary based on the type of vegetable, growing conditions, and the point in the plant’s life cycle. Some vegetables will need a boost during the growth cycle with addition applications of fertilizer. For more information on fertilizing your vegetable garden check out our lesson on Fertilizers.
It is important to maintain the nutritional health and physical condition of you garden soil year after year. Vegetable gardens need yearly replenishment of nutrients and organic matter. Follow the basic preparation steps each year to ensure the healthiest and tastiest vegetables at harvest time.
