To get the most from
your annual
plantings, you need
to spend a little
time on first
preparing the soil.
Soil rich in
nutrients and light
in texture will
reward you with
prize winning
flowers and
vegetables for only
a minimum amount of
effort and
expenditure.
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Steps:
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1. |
Select a site in
full sun. Make sure
it is near a source
of water.
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2. |
Remove any weeds,
rocks or debris from
the selected site.
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3. |
Use a shovel or
tiller to turn the
soil over. Dig down
as far as you can to
incorporate oxygen
into the depths of
the planting bed.
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4. |
Lay down a thick
layer of compost,
composted manure and
peat moss. The
compost will add
nutrients and
improve the texture
of the soil, the
manure will add
nitrogen and the
peat moss will
increase the water
holding capacity.
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5. |
Scatter a few
handfuls of
slow-release
fertilizer over the
bed. |
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6. |
Turn the soil again
to incorporate the
amendments.
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7. |
Rake the improved
soil with a bow rake
to remove any large
clods and also to
level the surface.
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Tips:
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Make sure the manure
is composted. Fresh
manure contains weed
seeds and is too
"hot" for tender new
roots. |
