Log Out 
How to prepare soil for planting
Whether you're aiming to oversee a thriving vegetable garden, nurture a lush green lawn, or create a vibrant display of colourful blooms, healthy plant growth always starts with the soil.
More than just scattering the first fertiliser you find, allow our team to explain how to prepare soil and why this process is so important for the utmost planting success.
Why preparing soil is essential for healthy plant growth
From creating a friable structure to ensuring a nutrient-rich environment, learning how to prepare soil for planting supports healthy plant growth in many ways, including:
- Increasing nutrient availability
- Supporting adequate drainage
- Promoting root growth
- Improving water retention
Getting soil ready for planting
1. Clear the area
Are there any weeds, rocks, or debris strewn across the planting area?
Start by removing them and any other unwanted items which could pose a risk to your new plants – either by competing with them (weeds!) or reducing the space they need to flourish (that’s rocks and debris).
You can either do this by hand with the added protection of gardening gloves or use a hand drag rake for a more thorough and methodical approach.
2. Test the soil
Next, you’ll need to test the soil to assess the pH level, nutrient content, and soil type - you can do this using a soil testing kit.
Once you have this information, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision as to whether it’s suitable for the type of plants you want to grow.
If it’s not, you’ll need to add a more suitable layer of topsoil.
With six main types of soil, including clay, sandy, silty, peaty, chalky, and loam (a soil mixture of clay and sand combined with humus), this vital step shouldn’t be skipped!
3. Add organic matter
After identifying the most suitable soil for your chosen plants, you can move on to bolstering the soil structure with organic matter, such as compost, manure, or mulch.
With the right soil structure, you can promote proper drainage and aeration, allowing the roots enough space to grow and access crucial minerals, while simultaneously preventing waterlogging.
Simply work the organic matter into the top 6-12 inches of soil using a garden fork or hand cultivator, depending on the size of the area.
The most suitable organic matter will vary based on the type of plant you want to grow.
Using our earlier example, manure is often recommended for roses, while compost is a common addition to lemon tree soil.
4. Introduce essential nutrients
While the previous steps can be sufficient for supporting healthy plant growth, an extra boost of nutrients or fertiliser can enhance yields and encourage even more vigorous growth.
Balanced fertilisers and organic additions, such as bone meal for phosphorus or blood meal for nitrogen, are excellent options for enriching your soil.
Simply mix your chosen nutrient solution into the top layer of soil to ensure they’re readily available to plant roots.
5. Loosen the soil
Once all the soil components have been added, it’s important to till or loosen the soil using either a hand tool (such as a spade or digging fork) or powered machines, like a rotavator, for larger areas.
Not only will this ensure all the compost and fertiliser has been evenly distributed throughout the soil, but it will also support aeration and more efficient water absorption.
6. Allow the soil to settle
For the most natural and stable soil structure, we recommend allowing 1-2 weeks for the freshly tilled soil to settle.
Immediately after tilling, the soil can be overly loose, leading to excess air pockets which inhibit the seeds from making sufficient contact with the soil.
To prevent your hard work from going to waste however, you may want to consider covering the area with a tarp and lightly watering it during this settling period. This helps suppress weed growth and minimise weather-related disruption.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Compacting soil: Compacted soil hinders plant growth as it reduces the space available for root growth as well as water and air movement – all of which are essential for healthy, thriving plants.
- Using the wrong type of soil: Not all plants thrive in the same type of soil. For example, loam-based soil is often recommended for roses, whereas lemon trees prefer a more acidic potting mix.
- Neglecting soil health: It’s simple: unhealthy soil results in unhealthy plants. Roots absorb essential nutrients and minerals from the soil, but plants can only thrive if those elements are actually present and available in the ground.
- Over-tilling soil: The frequent and excessive disruption of soil through over-tilling can have a negative impact on the soil by damaging the structure you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Garden and landscape products from Forward Builders' Supplies
Ready to get stuck into your soil?
Ensure you’re prepared for every eventuality with our wide range of gardening essentials, including soil, fertilisers, and landscaping tools.
Alternatively, our blog is home to plenty of helpful guides and essential gardening tips that can make your journey to a more fruitful backyard easier.
The information below is required for social login
Login
Register
Fill in the form below to create your new account