When’s the Right Time to Start Turning Up Soil?

Completing an annual tilling the top 10 inches of your garden is absolutely crucial for aeration, fertilization, weed prevention, and pest control. The question is when to start turning up soil! Experts say it’s important to wait until the ground has begun thawing. With Utah’s heavy snow this year, that may be closer to May than March. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.

You’ve still got to make sure you’re prepared for tilling when the time comes. That means having the right tools, setting up an appointment for compost to be delivered, and creating a motivating playlist of music for your headphones.

Tips for Turning Your Garden Soil

Before you get too ahead of yourself, it’s important to understand the project ahead. If you’re wondering what steps are involved in tilling your soil, we’ve got you covered.

1. Choose your Choice: Decide on your garden area! This is probably the most fun part of the project, and an important first step.
2. Out with the Old: Dig out old (or new) weeds, including their roots. While you’re at it, toss rocks to the side, to avoid getting them caught up in your tilling efforts. You’ll also want to get rid of any grass, shaking off any dirt that tries to hitch a ride (If you leave grass to be tilled into the soil, you’ll be in a whirlwind of trouble.)
3. In with the New: Spread compost in order to ensure a nutrient-rich soil. Adding two inches of compost is a good start, but you’ll want to add more than that if this will be a brand new garden.
4. Get to Work: Move across your future garden length-wise, integrating the compost into the 6-8 inches of dirt underneath it. Then move over and start on the next row.
5. Tidy Up: Once complete, you might consider adding a final layer of topsoil, which can be tilled lightly.

Tools Needed to Turn your Garden Soil

There are a ton of options when it comes to tools for turning up your garden, but you’re definitely going to need a good metal rake. You’ll also probably benefit from buying or renting a rototiller. Other tools you might consider are a hoe, pickaxe, shovel, spade, or spading fork, and that doesn’t even get into the various hand tools you might consider!

Since you’re on top of your plan to have the best garden ever, you have plenty of time to get your garden tools sharpened. There’s the all-in diy approach, seemingly simpler approaches, or just supporting a local knife sharpening business.

Set your Garden up for Success

As you think about all the work ahead, don’t bog yourself down by buying ineffective, mass-produced compost at a home improvement store. Set up your ideal delivery date with Bountiful Soil and have nutrient-rich compost delivered to your door. Bountiful Soil offers a variety of other landscaping materials too, and it’s way more affordable than you’d think.

Plus, by scheduling deliveries, you’ll be able to stick to your garden plan, enjoying it like never before. It’s time to invest in the yard you’ve always dreamed of. And with the help of the trusted professionals at Bountiful Soil, those dreams can finally be a reality!