Garden Bed Preparation ~ Preparing the Ground for your WinterSown Seedlings

Garden Bed Preparation

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Prepare the ground before transplanting by removing weeds, large stones and pebbles as best you can.

Amend the growing area with organic material (compost or peat moss, etc.)

Rake the ground smooth to diminish low spots where water may puddle and give the area a very good drink to assess drainage. Rectify as needed. Ground that drains slowly (water still on the surface an hour after watering has ceased) can be amended by mixing in sand, vermiculite or perlite. Ground that drains instantly may not retain moisture and can be amended by digging in aged compost, peat moss or rotted leaves.

Transplant the seedlings using the Hunk-o-Seedlings Method. Water well everyday for a few days to keep the soil moist. Hot and sunny or windy days may require extra waterings. Begin to taper off waterings after about a week.

Thin seedlings as needed. Extra seedlings can be transplanted, shared or composted.

Lightly fertilize all seedlings and increase slowly to full strength feedings as the season progresses.

Tip suggests these links for further study.

Soil Preparation ~ Gardening with Annuals
Urban Programs Resource Network
University of Illinois Extension

Bed Preparation ~ Gardening with Perennials
Urban Programs Resource Network
University of Illinois Extension

Building a Garden Bed ~ Excerpts from the February 2002 Issue of Home Horticulture
By Ricky D. Kemery, Allen County Horticulture Extension Educator
Purdue Extension Garden Tips, Purdue University Cooperative Extension

Bio-Intensive Gardening
Arid Lands Information Network of Eastern Africa
Africa Alliance of YMCA Building
State House Crescent, off State House Avenue
P.O. Box 39493, Nairobi, Kenya