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Compost tumblers also speed up the composting process. Compost tumblers are fully sealed and off the ground, and they sell for $150 – $850. There are two basic types of sealed composters: units that stand on the ground and have open bottoms these usually sell for $50 – $400. In close residential neighborhoods, sealed compost units are best because they don’t smell or attract pests or flying insects. The compost bin is an essential part of any backyard vegetable garden.

Compost: Compost adds nutrient-rich humus which fuels plant growth and restores vitality to depleted soil.

This material should be dug, or hoed, into the top 6″ of soil where is will be available to the root systems of young plants. Once the soil is turned and any large clumps are broken up, you can enrich the soil with organic matter. Garden soil should be well aerated to promote root growth and worm activity. Provide drainage if necessary by digging a shallow drainage trench alongside the bed, or grow in raised beds for improved drainage. It shouldn’t clump or stick to your boots. Also this minimizes harm to the valued earthworm population. Use a pitchfork instead of a shovel because the fork is easier to penetrate and turn hard soil and separate out the rocks. Turn the soil and remove rocks and roots. “Double-dig” new garden plotsĭig down 12″ – 18″ for first time beds. Alkaline soil is more common to arid regions.

Alkaline soils (high pH) need gardener’s sulfur and rich organic matter and should be mulched with acidic materials such as pine needles and forest duff. Acidic soils (low pH) can be sweetened by adding lime. Dandelions thrive at a pH level of about 7.5, and are a sign of alkaline soil, while the presence of moss indicates acidity. Soil test kits are available for this purpose, although we have never used them. In subsequent years, however, the gardener’s adage applies: “you get out what you put in.” Taking the following steps will help you get the most from your new garden. This is because untapped nutrients and minerals are available.

If the soil in your yard has never been gardened, chances are your vegetables will do well in the first year. Some pros and cons of bed types are listed below, or learn more about raised beds. In hot climates, in-ground beds require less watering than raised beds. in-ground bedsĬolder climates benefit from raised beds because the soil warms faster in spring, which lets you start planting sooner. To learn more about the ideal depth for planting various crops, see our article Soil Depth Requirements for Raised Beds and Planters. For raised beds, the height of the beds depends on your preference: taller beds require less bending over for the gardener.

The soil depth depends partly on the crops you want to grow. Longer beds are good choices for gardeners opting for drip irrigation. Vegetable beds can be any length, but keep the widths under 4′ for ease of weeding, mulching, and tending the plants in the middle of the bed. Be careful not to overdo your paths, since weeds can creep in. The pathways between beds should be just wide enough to allow your wheelbarrow to get in. Rotating crops is key to retaining healthy crops year after year. It’s useful to grow in multiple beds because plants with similar requirements can be grown together, and then rotated to different beds in successive years.

Unless you’re planning on planting one very long bed, you’ll need to establish several beds to fit the shape of your garden plot. To ensure a healthy, productive garden, consider these basic tips. Once your beds are prepared and the soil is enriched and ready to plant, the bulk of your gardening work is finished. Any seasoned gardener knows that successful gardening is all about the soil.