Prepare soil for planting

When to do it

Before an intended planting, when soil is workable. Preparing a bed does not mean it is time to plant: check the plant’s window for your zone.

What you need

• Trowel and rake
• Finished garden compost, only if needed
• Gloves; follow bagged-product handling precautions

How to do it

1. Lift back surface mulch and inspect a few places. Check for weeds, compacted patches and standing water. Work from a path.
2. Take a small handful. If it smears or feels saturated, leave the bed to dry; if it is hard and dry, moisten it gently and reassess. Do not force a fork through wet ground.
3. Remove small weeds and their roots without disturbing nearby plants. Leave established plants and useful soil cover in place.
4. Where organic matter is needed, spread mature, crumbly compost over the bed. Follow the product’s application rate; do not bury stems or crowns. Lightly incorporate it into an empty, workable bed if needed, or leave it on the surface.
5. Rake only the area you will sow to an even surface. Replace suitable cover elsewhere. Check the relevant plant guide before sowing or planting.

What success looks like

• The planting area is accessible and free of competing weeds.
• Soil can be worked without smearing; water soaks in rather than sitting on top.

Watch out for

• Adding lime, gypsum or fertiliser without identifying a need.
• Using fresh manure or unfinished compost around new roots.
• Expecting compost to fix persistent drainage problems immediately.

Related help