How to Grow More Vegetables : And Fruits, Nuts ... - Shroomery

The Initial
Double-Dig
Process
Step by Step
1. Spread a layer of compost over the
entire area to be dug.
2. Using a spade, remove the soil from
a trench 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide
across the width of the bed, and put
the soil into buckets or a wheelbarrow
for use in making compost
and flat soil. If the bed is 5 feet
wide, the soil will fill 7 5-gallon
buckets. (The trench is being dug
across the width of the bed.)
Sides of bed may be dug
outward into path.
10 BED PREPARATION
1. 2.
The goal of double-digging is to loosen the soil to a depth of
24 inches below the surface. The first year, you may only be
able to reach 15 to 18 inches with reasonable effort. Be satisfied
with this result. Do not strain yourself or your tools. More
important than perfection the first year or two is going in the
right direction. Nature, the loose soil, worms, and the plant
roots will further loosen the soil with each crop so digging will
be easier each year and the depth will increase 3 to 6 inches
annually.
For all-around ease, D-handled flat spades and D-handled
spading forks of good temper are usually used for bed preparation.
(Poor tools will wear out rapidly while you are preparing
your garden area.) D-handles allow you to stand straight with
the tool directly in front of you. You must frequently hold a
long-handled tool to your side. This position does not allow for
simple, direct posture and leverage. When digging for long
periods of time, many people find the use of a D-handled tool
less tiring (though it will probably take the digging of 3 beds to