April

Tip: This is soil time!  If you haven't planted yet, & up here it's still a month away, you can always get to work on your very important garden soil.  Here are a few characteristics for good soil:

• Good Texture ~ A medium-textured loam (soil) with approximately equal parts sand, silt & clay is most desirable for gardening.  Test your soil by wetting a small handful of it with water & rubbing it between your thumb & forefinger.  If it's too sandy it will feel gritty, too much silt & it will seem soapy (silky), & too much clay will give you sticky soil.  A soil with equal parts will have all these characteristics combined, but not one single characteristic will dominate. 

• Good Structure ~ You want soil that breaks down easily into crumb-like pieces when squeezed in your hands.  If it's too compact you might want to add larger granules of material to free it up such as...

• Good Organic Matter ~ Peat, manure or compost can increase porosity & improve the physical condition of your soil.  The color of your soil is a good indicator of how much organic material you have in it.  Deep, black soils have high organic matter (grey colored soil indicates low organic matter). 

**  There are other things to consider such as having your soil tested for pH levels & nutrient deficiencies... but these simple tips will help prep your garden for the summer.  Reminder ** Do not work your soil until it has thawed out! 

Tip: Synthetic spray fertilizers cannot compare to a well tended & consistently nurtured garden through the frequent addition of natural mulch, fish emulsion or compost.  Thanks Vicki ~ ecological & smart!

Tip: "The Cadillac of Composts" ~ www.fatherdomsducksdoo.com ~ thanks for the link Jayne!