Preparing Garden Bed

[Durgan]

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?KSPVO 7 April 2013 Preparing Garden Bed
Preliminary conditioning of main garden bed.Temperature was about 14C and sunny. Moisture level in the garden was perfect so the initial rototilling was undertaken. Various plants and seed will be planted starting about 15 of April. Experience has indicated that the soil temperature should be at least 15 C for sufficient growth to occur. My zone 5 will not be frost free until about 24 of May.

[TightenUp]

looking good

[Mark0820]

The garden looks outstanding. It is clear to see you have added various types of compost over the years. I'm curious, with soil like this why don't you go no till or at a minimum just use a broadfork?

[TightenUp]

Originally Posted by Mark0820

The garden looks outstanding. It is clear to see you have added various types of compost over the years. I'm curious, with soil like this why don't you go no till or at a minimum just use a broadfork?

prob just doing it how its been done forever


i took over my fathers garden and only used a broad fork and shovel for 2 years now. i dont know if what i'm doing is better than tilling but last season my tomatoes kicked butt

i have some completely composted rabbit manure/bedding which i will be adding this year in a few days along with some 2-1-2 alfalfa meal. only time will tell...

[Durgan]

Originally Posted by Mark0820

The garden looks outstanding. It is clear to see you have added various types of compost over the years. I'm curious, with soil like this why don't you go no till or at a minimum just use a broadfork?

The soil is heavily modified. Without the compost and wood chips the soil is very heavy, excellent quality clay. Soil improvement is an ongoing yearly practice.

No-till has it drawbacks, meaning it is not all it is touted to be. Tilling kills many harmful insects for one thing. A broad-fork is a pain in the azz except for conditioning a small area, and then leaves a lot to be desired.

None of my practices are embedded in stone, but I seldom modify procedures without sufficient reason for doing so. My objective is to grow produce to its full potential, in other words the final arbitrator is the harvest. Pretty green plants without viewing the final result (harvest)-impresses me not. And as to the full potential, it is determined by previously having grown something better or seeing something from another garden which is better, which I seldom encounter.

[Redbaron]

Once you get the knack of no till, you'll never go back. But it takes a while for the worms to build the structure. In your awesome soil that might not be as long as in most soils. But still, it does take a while.