November 2017 | Page 8

Garden Soil Preparation — It’s Not Too Late

Autumn is an excellent time to

add organic materials and till

garden soils. Winter can still be

a good time to take care of this

chore as long as the soil isn’t

frozen. It is far wiser to till now

than to wait until spring when

cold, wet conditions can limit

your ability to work soils easily.

Working soil when it is wet

destroys soil structure and

results in hard clods that are

very slow to break down. On the other hand, dry soil may need to be watered so it can be more easily tilled. Be sure to wait several days after watering to let soil moisture levels moderate. You want the soil moist, not wet or dry, when tilling.

There is a limit to how much organic material such as leaves can be added in one application. Normally, a layer 2 inches deep is adequate with 5 to 6 inches being the maximum that can be added at one time. Shredding the material before application encourages faster and more complete

decomposition due to increased surface area. Remember, soil preparation is an important key to a successful garden.

Keep Compost Pile Moist

This is the time of year when there are lots of materials available to compost. Remember that the compost needs to be kept moist so that the bacteria and fungi can break down the raw materials. Use a sprinkler to soak through the pile to the center. Allow the pile to drain. The goal is for the pile to remain moist; not waterlogged. Edges will dry out the quickest and may need a light sprinkling from time to time. If you are interested in composting but

don’t know how it is done, see our video at http://tinyurl.com/jn6yppo and/or our publication at http://hnr.k-state.edu/doc/hort-tips/Composting.pdf.