Most gardening problems can be traced back to the soil. It is the very foundation upon which we grow our plants, and if it's not healthy, our plants won't be either. Your soil texture might be loamy, clay, sandy, silty or any combination of those, depending upon where you live and environmental conditions. Taking the time to learn about the soil in your garden, and then amending it, will pay off big later on during the growing season.
Amending the Soil in a Small Garden
Remove any weeds or sod from the planting area. Use the shovel or a trowel to break them up and remove them.
Dig down, with the shovel, 12 to 18 inches into the existing soil, placing the removed soil in a pile next to the planting bed. Remove any rocks, old roots and other debris.
Add 3 to 4 inches of compost or other amendments to the pile of removed soil and, with the spading fork, mix well.
Shovel the amended soil back into the planting bed. Use the rake to level the soil.
Water well and allow to drain prior to planting.
Amending the Soil in a Large Garden
Remove any weeds or sod from the planting area, using a rototiller.
Dig down, with the shovel, 12 to 18 inches into the soil. Turn the soil as you work, loosening up any large clods of dirt and removing rocks and other debris.
Rake the area to level it.
Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of soil amendments over the leveled planting bed.
Mix the amendments into the soil using the gardening fork. Water well and allow the soil to drain prior to planting.
About this Author
Bridget Kelly has been a writer since 2005. With a background in real-estate sales, she blogs professionally and provides articles to national and regional real-estate websites and publications. An apprentice master gardener, Kelly enjoys gardening and writing about gardening topics. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing.