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.