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

3b(i). For compacted soil: While
standing in the trench, loosen
the soil an additional 12 inches
with a spading fork by digging
in the tool to its full depth and
lifting out a tight soil section on
the fork pan.
3b(ii). Then, by moving your arms
upward in a small jerk, the soil
will break apart as it falls downward,
hits the fork tines, and
falls into the hole below.
12 BED PREPARATION
3b(i). 3b(ii).
soil is to attain the proper moisture level and to make digging
enjoyable and beneficial. Soil is too dry for digging when it is
loose and will not hold its shape after being squeezed in the
palm of your hand (in the cases of sands or loams) or when it is
hard and dry and cannot be penetrated by a spade (in the case
of clays). Soil is too wet when it sticks to the spade as you dig.
Double-digging is the term used for the process of preparing
your soil 2 spades deep (about 24 inches). To begin, mark out a
bed 3 to 5 feet wide and at least 3 feet long. Most people prefer
a bed 5, 10, or 20 feet long, but the maximum is up to you. To
double-dig, remove the soil from a trench 1 foot deep and 1 foot
wide across the width of one end of the bed. Use a 5 ⁄ 8 -inch-thick
plywood board, 2 to 3 feet long by 3 to 5 feet wide, to stand on.
Place it on top of the 1-inch compost layer you spread over your
bed, and advance it along the bed 1 foot at a time as you prepare
to dig each new trench. Move 7 5-gallon buckets of soil from
the beginning of the bed to a soil storage area for use in
making compost and flat soil.