Wilkinson Sword's Guide to Preparing the Ground for Spring Planting
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Creating a thriving garden requires healthy soil that is rich in nutrients. If you want to ensure that your garden beds are ready for the upcoming growing season, now is the perfect time to start preparing them for planting. Wilkinson Sword has shared a guide on how to get soil into the best shape for the new season, along with the essential tools that gardeners will need.
Loosen the soil
Use Wilkinson Sword’s Stainless Steel Digging Fork to loosen, lift, and turn the soil, breaking up any large lumps with the tines. This will help to aerate the soil and promote better drainage. The fork’s tool head is made from rust-resistant steel ideal for breaking up heavy compacted earth and stick clay soils.
Remove old plants and weeds
Next, remove any old plant material and weeds by digging out all the roots and shoots using a sturdy spade such as Wilkinson Sword’s Ultralight Digging Spade. This is an important step because it will prevent any diseases or pests from spreading to the new plants. Wilkinson Sword’s Ultralight Digging Spade is strong and powerful but also 40% lighter than a traditional spade. The rust-resistant steel head has a serrated edge to make breaking up soil easier and its lightweight usability makes it easier for gardeners to work for longer without fatigue.
Mix in organic matter
Once the weeds have been removed, it's time to add organic matter to the soil. You can use homemade compost, or buy a pre-made mix from a garden centre. Use the Stainless Steel Hand Trowel to add it to the soil, mixing at least a bucket's worth of organic matter into every square metre of soil using a Hand Fork to blend it into the soil surface. This will help to improve the soil structure and provide the nutrients plants need to thrive.
Level the ground
Rake the soil level and tap any lumps gently with the teeth of a rake. This will level and smooth the soil, making it easier to plant in. Wilkinson Sword’s Stainless Steel Soil Rake is ideal for this task as it has a traditionally designed flat head and tines tool head that makes light work of removing clumps of earth, gathering any remaining pieces of debris and levelling out uneven ground. Water the soil well and allow it to settle for at least a few days before planting.
Follow these simple steps and create a nutrient-rich base ready for a beautiful and thriving garden all year long!
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