Preparing Your Garden for a Thriving Season
A thriving garden begins long before the first seeds are sown.
Preparing Your Garden for a Thriving Season
A thriving garden begins long before the first seeds are sown. Proper soil preparation ensures your plants get the best possible start, leading to healthier growth and bigger harvests.
Here’s what you should be doing now:
1. Test Your Soil
Understanding your soil’s pH and nutrient levels helps determine what amendments you need.
Most vegetables thrive in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Test kits are widely available, or you can send a sample to a lab for analysis.
2. Improve Soil Structure
Heavy clay soil? Add organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage.
Sandy soil? Mix in compost to help retain moisture.
Compacted soil? Aerate it using a garden fork to allow roots to spread easily.
3. Add Nutrients Naturally
Compost is your best friend! It enriches the soil with nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.
A layer of mulch (straw, leaves, or grass clippings) helps regulate temperature and retain moisture.
Crop rotation prevents nutrient depletion—don’t plant the same crops in the same spot each year.
4. Plan Your Planting
Map out your garden space so each plant gets enough sunlight and airflow.
Consider companion planting—some plants help each other thrive while others should be kept apart.
If space is tight, vertical gardening (trellises, hanging baskets) can maximise your growing area.
🌿 Did You Know? Healthy soil is full of life! A single teaspoon can contain over a billion microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter and make nutrients available to plants. It’s nature’s own fertiliser factory! 🦠
5. Get Your Tools Ready
Clean and sharpen tools to make gardening easier and prevent disease spread.
Organise your seeds, pots, and labels so you’re ready to plant.
By taking these steps now, you’ll be setting your garden up for success.