3 Steps to Prepare Soil for Raised Beds

You first want to send the soil out to a lab to see what the soil needs and does not need. The soil test will give you a solid starting point instead of adding things to the soil and not knowing if it needs it or not. We send out tests to the University of Massachusetts Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory. For the basic test it costs $40 dollars. The results include readings for P,K,Ca,Mg, macronutrients and micronutrients. They also provide specific recommendations for soil amendments.

Now that you have the soil test and know what to apply it's time to get digging.

NOTE: It is very important that once you start this process you do not step on the area which you are preparing to grow in. Stepping on it will set you back because it can kill microorganisms.

The simplest method to prepare the soil is by using a garden fork:

• Before applying anything to the soil, soak the area you want to amend with water.
• Then use a garden fork to fork the soil, letting the tool do the work.
• Once you have forked the soil follow the soil test recommendations.
• After applying the amendments per the recommendations, apply some raised bed soil.
• Once both are applied fork the soil again, we are trying to work both of these items as deep into the soil as we can.
• Then apply compost and more raised bed mix. Fork again to get it in as deeply as you can.
• Water the area, soak it as you go.

Once this is done you have started to build the soil back up, but there is one last step before walking away.

The final step is to protect the soil by covering it with mulch, hay or leaves. If the soil is left exposed the sun will start killing all the microorganisms that you worked so hard bring back to life. Not only will the mulch protect the soil but it will slowly decompose and add microorganisms to the soil. Mulch is also excellent for improving water retention.