Laying Your Foundation

(step five)

This is the point in the process when we get down to the nitty-gritty and start getting our hands dirty…

Preparing the Site

Before plants can be put in the ground, the ground must be ready for them.

Whatever is currently in your garden space will have to be removed to reveal plain soil.  Concrete must be broken up and removed, unwanted shrubs or plants dug out, and structures moved.

If grass or weeds cover your planned garden area, you will need to remove them completely. There are two ways to do this, depending on the amount of time you have before planting your garden.  The first method for removing grass is the manual way –digging it out with a spade or shovel.  However, if you plan ahead, there is a much easier way –sheet mulching.

Sheet mulching is the ideal way to convert grassy (or weedy) ground to garden soil.  Firstly, it is much easier on the human body as it doesn’t require nearly as much effort.  Secondly (and I think most importantly), it is much healthier for the soil as it allows the soil microbes and fungi to remain undisturbed, which ultimately leads to much healthier plants.

Sheet mulching does, however, require time.  The grass must be covered and allowed to naturally compost for at least 4 to 6 months.  The ideal time to sheet mulch would be in September or October so that the area can compost over the winter months and be ready to use in the spring. See my Sheet Mulching page for instructions on how to do this.

Soil

Once your garden area is clear and bare, you need to determine your soil type and what it needs to be amended.  Pretty much any soil anywhere will benefit from the addition of compost.  Compost adds nutrients and healthy microbes to soil and it also improves soil texture, making it more amenable to healthy root growth.

There are multiple resources on the internet and in books to help you determine your soil type and understand what you will need to do to make it hospitable for your plants.  Like I mentioned back in Step 2, you should also look into your county’s extension office to have them do a soil test for you; this is the most effective way to know exactly what you have and how to improve it.

Compost can be bought by the bag or by the yard.  If your space is fairly small, bags will be easier and can be bought at your local nursery or hardware store.  If you have a large area, though, you may want to contact a local dirt and mulch supplier and arrange to have it delivered.  They can help you calculate what you need and how much.  Once it’s delivered to your house you will need to use a cart and shovel to haul it into place.  If you’re lucky, you’ll have someone (or two) who likes you enough to give you a hand.

Tip – I highly recommend using a cart (like this Gorilla cart – I love mine!) instead of a wheelbarrow for any sort of hauling.  Once you try a cart you’ll wonder why ANYone ever used a wheelbarrow!

You’re almost there!

This is probably the hardest and most laborious part of the entire garden creation process, but stick with it and just think about all the lovely things you will be seeing in this spot in the not-so-distant future. Imagining the beauty to come will help you through the drudgery of the preparation.

Once your space is cleared and your soil prepared, it’s time for the best part…

Let’s start Choosing and planting your plants!