As winter fades, your garden soil is ready for a fresh start. Instead of rushing into planting, give your soil the attention it deserves.
A few simple, natural practices can transform your garden bed into a thriving ecosystem and set the stage for a healthy, productive growing season.
Before anything else, remove weeds that may have settled in over winter. Hand-pulling or using a broadfork helps loosen them without disturbing the soil too much. This keeps the soil’s natural structure and biology intact.
Skip the rototiller. Instead, aerate the soil with a garden fork or broadfork. The goal is to open up compacted layers without turning them over, which helps preserve the underground microbial life that supports plant growth.
Think of compost as a nutrient-packed meal for your garden. Spread a layer of well-decomposed compost or aged manure across the surface to enrich the soil organically. It improves texture, drainage, and microbial activity — all essential for healthy roots.
Add a natural mulch layer — straw, leaves, or shredded wood — to cover the soil. Mulching retains moisture, reduces weed growth, and feeds the soil slowly as it breaks down. Plus, it protects against erosion and temperature swings.
Green manures like mustard, phacelia, or clover are excellent allies. These fast-growing plants protect bare soil, prevent nutrient loss, and, once cut back, decompose into valuable organic matter. They’re an easy win for long-term soil health.
Caring for your soil in spring isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing better. These five eco-friendly steps help you build living soil that’s resilient, fertile, and full of life. Your plants will thank you with a strong start and vibrant growth all season long.
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