Since we are in a stretch of nice weather, it was a good day to work outside.  Most of the spring clean up is done, so I figured I’d turn the soil over in the vegetable garden and get it ready to go.

Last year I put in the raised beds and that has made a big difference.  The soil is drying out nicely, still a little clumpy, but not too bad.  I also decided to add several wheel barrow loads of compost.  I figure the soil could be improved and there is no better way to do that than add decaying plant matter.  Compost adds a lot of nitrogen and other nutrients that are depleted over time.  I feel it is better to use natural fertilizer over manufactured fertilizer.

Mining the compost pile

The compost pile has grown quite large, the middle of the pile is the oldest stuff, probably the leaves and grass cuttings from two years ago.  I dug down and got the darkest parts.  All in all, I retrieved 5 full loads, which I figure is about the equivalent of 20-25 bags of the compost one would purchase at the Home Depot.

Garden growing bed with compost on top

I spread it on the top of each bed, then spaded over the soil.  There is a new school of thought that the soil should not be turned over.  The idea is that worms will airate the soil if it is left alone, as would happen in a forest or fallow field.  I might try this next year and see if there is any difference.  For me, it just seems that the compost should be mixed in with the soil for best results.

Vegetable garden beds turned over

Some people are starting to plant a few things.  I think it is still a little early for that.  However, if in a week or two, the soil temperature has come up, I’ll put in some early crops.  Lettuce, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, and Brocolli all do well in cool temperatures.

Update: Here is a good guide on What to Plant Now by Mother Earth News.

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