There are a few basic rules all gardeners should follow. First, develop the habit of adding organic matter every chance you get. In addition: Don't work soil when it's too wet. Squeeze a handful in your hand; if it forms a tight ball, it's too wet. The handful should crumble easily before you dig, as shown on page 77. Don't work soil when it's too dry. Digging dusty-dry soil will pulverize it and destroy its texture. Water dry soil deeply before you work it. Don't leave it bare too long. Direct sunlight dries out soil fast, and your soil microherd will die out without moisture. Bare soil erodes when it rains, and it's an invitation to weed problems. Except for short periods when you're trying to warm the soil, keep it covered with mulch, veggie crops, or cover crops. Keep off! Once you've prepared the soil for planting, don't walk on it. Half the volume of soil should be pore space occupied by air and water. Walking on soil compresses the pores and makes the soil less hospitable to plant roots. Reprinted from The Veggie Gardener's Answer Book Copyright 2008 by Barbara W. Ellis, with permission from Storey Publishing. Image credit: Megan Pru
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