After the soil is dry enough to work, you can give serious thought to planting your garden. Before working up the soil. you may want to apply a layer of organic matter or some commercial fertilizer. Organic matter such as manure, compost, leaves or grass clippings, add nutrients to the soil as well as helping to loosen the soil. A common commercial fertilizer recommended for gardens is 5-10-5 applied at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet.

A few hints to consider before planting your garden are: run the rows in your garden lengthwise, if you are using a tiller for cultivation; don't walk where the rows are going to be before you plant; save space on the north side of your garden for tall growing vegetables such as corn; and save space for planting your warm season crops such as tomatoes.

Work the garden soil with a shallow roto-tilling or spading (4 to 6 inches deep) to warm up the soil and break up chunks. After working your garden, get two sturdy stakes and a heavy string to make straight rows for planting. Straight rows are easier to cultivate, help you tell the vegetable plants from the weeds and are neater than crooked rows. Use a garden rake to smooth and level the soil along your straight marker string.

For good planting instructions, read the seed packet. It will tell you planting depth and the recommended spacing. In wet weather or heavy clay soil, plant shallower than recommended. In areas with light sandy soil or where drier conditions prevail plant the seeds slightly deeper.

For small seeds, use the top of a hoe handle to make the furrow. The hoe can be used for larger seeds and deeper planting. Cover the seeds with moist soil and then gently tamp with a rake, a hoe or "pat" it down with your hands.

This page was last updated April 2003

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