Turn the soil over to a depth of at least 12 inches. Add 2-3 inches of compost and turn it into the bed. Either cover the bed with a thick (3-4") layer of mulch or use a weed and feed to help keep weed seeds from germinating. Top dress with another layer of compost to keep down weeds and preserve moisture.
Preparing good soil is often as simple as adding organic matter, mulching it, and letting it live free of compaction and unnecessary disturbance. If you follow these tips, you'll keep your soil microbes and earthworms happy, and overtime, they'll create a rich garden for all of your plants to enjoy!
Using premium soil is faster and easier than adding compost to your planting beds. On the other hand, if you enjoy hands-on gardening and would rather have complete control over the composition and consistency of your growing medium, compost is probably the right choice for you.
If your flower or vegetable bed gets dried out or is exposed to organic matter that increases acidity (such as pine needles), adding fresh topsoil will improve its composition and raise the soil pH closer to neutral. To ensure optimal growing conditions, replenish topsoil as needed.
A Fabric Barrier is the Best Barrier
Purchasing a fabric barrier to prevent weeds in your flower beds is the best way to prevent them from growing.
Vinegar. Acetic acid is the active ingredient that makes vinegar a weed killer. White vinegar contains about 5% acetic acid. This level of acetic acid burns the tops off weeds but is less likely to kill anything with well-established roots.
One of the best mulches to prevent weeds in your garden is wood chips, also known as wooden mulch. Wood chips, including graded fine bark or pine mulch, won't decompose as quickly as other mulch types, giving you a long-term solution to weed control.
Over time, mulch will break down and effectively become topsoil but it shouldn't be used in lieu of topsoil. That said, while you could leave your topsoil uncovered, it is wise to cover it with mulch to avoid erosion from the rain and overheating from our hot sun.
Gardening Basics: Is Garden Soil the Same as Topsoil? While they have their similarities, garden soil is not the same as topsoil. Topsoil, as the name implies, is the very top layer of soil. Topsoil is dense with minerals and organic matter, which gives it a much darker color than other gardening soils.
Fill dirt consists of a mixture of broken down rocks, sand and clay. It contains little fertility for plants to grow, or any organic matter. There are still many reasons you would want to select fill dirt for your project. Topsoil contains organic matter and is likely to shift or settle over time.
The Pros of Mulch:
Mulch keeps rain from washing away your soil. As it decomposes over time, bark mulch adds nutrients to your soil. And, maybe everybody's favorite mulch benefit: it discourages weeds from popping up, keeping everything dark so the weed seeds can't sprout.
In general, eight inches is a good minimum depth for raised garden beds. If there are issues with drainage, or the plants in the box are sensitive to excess moisture around their roots, additional depth can help by allowing water to seep naturally.
They should have at least 8 inches of soil depth to accommodate the root systems of plants, because the majority of plant roots require 6 – 8 inches of soil for healthy root growth. A depth of 8 – 12 inches will suffice for most gardening situations.
If you're planning to put in new plantings, be sure to water garden soil first. Of course, if you've had rain, your soil may already be sufficiently moist. Or, if you have an irrigation system, you may not need to water garden soil again before planting.
If the soil is sandy or loamy, you may be able to rototill the soil rather than hand turning it. Clay and rocky soils require hand digging first. For a small planting area, dig and break up the soil by hand or with a spade.
Do not use topsoil alone in containers. It can become compacted and saturated with water limiting air space that is important for healthy plant growth. Topsoil is occasionally added to potting mixes in large containers for increased moisture-holding and added weight needed to support large plants.
Topsoil is excellent for landscaping and filling spaces, but potting soil is better if you need a growing medium for container plants. And if you want an Earth-positive soil that's beneficial for any potted plant, you'll love Rosy's Indoor Potting Mix.
Your best choice is between topsoil or garden soil. Topsoil is best for the lawn, or for lower layers of garden beds. Garden soil is ideal for top layers of any garden.
So, should you remove old mulch? Expert green thumbs contend that getting rid of last year's mulch is completely unnecessary. Mulch gradually breaks down, adding beneficial nutrients and other organic matter to the soil. Removing pre-existing mulch every year only ends up to be extra work and a needless expense.
The general rule of thumb is to spread mulch about two to four inches thick over the soil surface. When mulch is too thick, it can be counterproductive and prevent water from reaching the soil. On the flip side, too thin a layer of mulch may not adequately stop weed growth or prevent evaporation as intended.
While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather. Some kinds of mulch may even repel termites.
Cedar Or Cypress Mulch
Chip or bark mulch is made from cypress or cedar trees and is very helpful for repelling bugs. Both cypress and cedar contain natural chemicals and oils like thujone that deter insects. Cedar chips repel, inhibit, or kill insects like: Cockroaches.
Give the soil a chance to warm. Mulching too early will actually slow down the warming process. Normally, mid- to late spring is the best time to put down mulch. Seedlings can work their way through a thin layer of mulch, but too deep a layer could be impenetrable.
While a good layer of mulch can smother small, young weeds, don't expect it to magically eliminate well-established weeds. It's better to remove any big weeds and patches of weeds before mulching over them, or they'll pop right through. Or, as noted in the previous tip, some may keep on spreading under your mulch.