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Prepare for successful vegetables this spring

The time for planting and sowing is upon us once more, but that means you need to think about your soil preparation and seedbeds as poor preparation means poor crops;

• if the soil has a good tilth from winter frosts use this to sow into - don't dig and bury it. Rake what you need for early crops and sow/ plant straight after
• soil that needs digging still can be dug once it has dried sufficiently - in particular if sub-soil is compacted take care as this soil will still be wet and should not be rushed
• improve soil that needs it with compost or very well rotted manure mixed in ahead of later planting - remember carrots and parsnips grow forked roots in freshly composted/ manured soil
• break down clods in freshly dug soil but only prepare a tilth for immediate sowing otherwise leave until sowing
• do not let soil dry out
• do not lime soil in spring - this should have been done in autumn

There will be a huge amount more new and detailed support for you in the forth-coming e-book on soil preparation, follow the link and sign up for the 'Secrets of good soil preparation' e-book and tell me what you would like to know about.

Topics will include (in no particular order);

• raised bed soil preparation
• management for different soil types
• preparing a new site and improving the soil
• the use of additives to soil
• poor crops and how to improve soil
• best use and timing of use of compost
• soil preparation for different crops
• how to conserve water through improved soil and vegetable growing techniques
• and much more all about soils and their care to help you get the best out of your plot ...

• it is time to finish your planting plans as planting and sowing can start in March in the northern hemisphere
• apply compost to land that needs it but to which the winter has not allowed you to apply it;
• dig lighter soils ready for planting early crops
• don't dig heavier clay soils until they have dried from wet/ sticky to moist otherwise you smear and compact soil
• bear in mind frosts can occur through March and April so protect early crops - or your hard work can be wasted in a night
• consider sowing broad-beans, early carrots, onion/ shallot/ garlic sets

• soil problems - helps you work out what issues your soil has
• improve your soil - provides some guidance on things to put soil problems right
• perfect garden soil - shows what to aim for and what it looks like
• garden worms - tells you about your army of helpers underground
• soil pH - provides guidance on the importance of the right pH, testing and how to change pH

As I write my first e-book, yes sorry it is taking longer than I thought, I offer these new web pages to help you further now. I will be incorporating answers to the main questions web visitors have asked me on soils into the e-book plus some tips and advice in the e-zine and on the web site.

Spring has finally arrived. An air temperature of 12C, the highest since early December 2009, prompted me to write to you.

The soil is at last drying out from the frozen wet slop of this long winter that has finally drawn to a close.

Soil temperatures are rising but there is no sign of growth yet in lawns or weeds after seemingly months of freezing weather. Spring flowers are late too (February Gold Narcissi are just starting flowers now in mid March - contrast January 2009).

However, the winter frosts will hopefully have lowered the numbers of pests like slugs and aphids etc. that can plague vegetable crops - or am I being too hopeful! Frosts are also good for the soil breaking down dug ground or that left flat into a lovely tilth 2-3cm deep - just ready for sowing.

My plans for this week are to plant the first spring broad-beans and early carrots under fleece and I shall also endeavour to plant my onions and shallots too. Seed potatoes are on trays inside in the light (not sun) without heat to chit ready for planting later this month and into mid April.

The greenhouse is clean ready for sowing seeds for transplanting later this month and in April - the early start brings the first tasty mouthful sooner.

Best wishes and happy vegetable gardening.

Colin (easy-vegetable-gardening.com)