Soil & Garden Preparation
GARDEN PREPARATION
One of the most common gardening mistakes we see home gardeners make here at The Worm Farm Portland, is not properly preparing the soil before planting. A healthy, bright, nutrient-rich soil is the foundation of any successful garden. Plants, like us, require a well-balanced diet of nutrients provided by the soil. By spending a little extra time to make sure that your soil is properly prepared, you are ensuring that your vegetables will grow and, as a result, be full of nutrients to nourish you.
1. Aerate/Tilling Your Soil.
Begin by tilling the soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches; this is done so the roots of your growing plants can easily grow and reach the nutrients held in your soil. You can do it the old-fashioned way with a shovel or use a garden tiller to expedite the process. Remember to remove any weeds, rocks, and debris.
2. Amending Your Soil
Adding Organic fertilizers to your soil will ensure a huge, robust, and nutritious crop in your garden. Amending your soil can be done in a variety of ways. Organic inputs such as Tidal Kelp, coco-coir, garden compost, plant matter can be added, and/or you can use organic fertilizers such as Happy Cow Manure, Stutzman chicken manure, and our very own Organic Worm Casting. Simply apply a 2 to 4 inch layer of soil amendments or supplements to the soil and till it again, making sure the amendments and supplements are properly dispersed throughout the soil reaching a depth of 8-12". After the amendments have been well blended into the soil, rake everything flat and you're finished. Your soil should have a crumbly texture, be moist, and dark in color. When you get to that point, you know you've nailed it.
Tip: We have taken the guesswork out of amending your soil; Our Organic Wildwood Soil Conditioner has been specifically designed to amend and prepare old tired soils for the new growing season, with 10 OMRI certified organic ingredients, your soil will never be happier!
3. New Raised Beds
If you are starting out fresh and don’t need to amend or prep old soil, raised garden beds are a great way to start a garden project off right. Instead of worrying about fixing old soil, a raised bed allows the home gardener to start out right, right from the start. We have 11 Premium soil mixes ready for any of your gardens needs.
4. Thoroughly Water
After you've properly tilled and modified your soil, or filled your new raised bed with one of our premium soil mixes, water it thoroughly. Watering the soil thoroughly settles it, and allows fertilizers and nutritional inputs to permeate and spread, resulting in improved growing results.
….let it grow…
Worm Farm Portland