PREPARING VEGETABLE GARDENS
To grow the best vegetables possible, you need to have the best soil possible. Each year,
when harvesting the bounty of garden beds, you are harvesting the nutrients that plants
absorb from the soil. Wells Medina Nursery offers a guide to replenish these nutrients and
creating and maintaining healthy productive soil.
Annually, for every 100 square feet of garden and prior to sowing and planting, add:
5 lbs of Vegetable Fertilizer (Organic) with mycorrhizae.
Fertilizer with mycorrhizae will help make nutrients available to the plants.
5 lbs of Alfalfa Meal.
Alfalfa Meal results in vigorous plants with substantial foliage.
1 lb of Lime.
Lime brings the pH to a level where nutrients are available and provides calcium to plants which require a higher level (tomatoes etc...)
Compost to a depth of 1" or more. 8.3 cubic feet of compost will cover 100 square feet or garden 1" deep; or, manure to a depth of 1/2". Approximately 3 cubic feet.
Compost improves moisture holding capabilities, adds texture to soil and when broken down, feeds soil and plants.
1 lb Kelp Meal.
Kelp encourages substantial and vigorous foliage growth and adds micro-nutrients as well as adding plant-like hormones.
1 lb Bat Guano or Bone Meal.
Bat Guano and Bone Meal is especially beneficial for the growing of root crops (potatoes, onions, carrots, beets etc...) by adding phosphorus.
Both Kelp and Bat Guano/Bone Meal do make a difference but aren't essential.
Add the amendments in late winter or early spring two weeks prior to planting. Turn them
into the soil by hand or machine.
If a cover crop has been planted, cut the crop down and turn under with the soil
amendments.
If you do only one thing to prep your vegetable garden, add organic fertilizer, compost or
manure. These are the amendments that will augment the soil, feed your vegetables and
produce a healthy and happy harvest.