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

Initial Double-Dig
1. When the soil is lightly moist,
loosen the top 12 inches of the
entire area to be dug with a
spading fork, and remove any
weeds.
2. Spread a 1-inch layer of compost
over the entire area to be dug
(after mixing in a 1-inch layer of
sand or clay 12 inches deep;
optional, see page 8).
3. Remove the soil from the upper
part of the first trench, and place
it in a soil storage area for use in
making compost and flat soil.
4. Loosen the soil an additional
12 inches.
5. Dig out the upper part of the
second trench, and move it
forward into the first trench.
6. Loosen the lower part of the
second trench.
7. Continue the double-digging
process (repeating steps 3, 4,
5, and 6) for the remaining
trenches. Rake after each
3–4 trenches to ensure even
bed height.
8. Shape the bed by raking it. Then
evenly spread any needed fertilizers
over the entire area, and
sift them in 2 to 4 inches deep
with a spading fork. The doubledug
bed is now completed.
14 BED PREPARATION
TYPES OF DEEP SOIL PREPARATION
Simplified Side Views
Ecology Action uses four basic types of deep soil preparation
processes: the initial double-dig, the ongoing double-dig,
the complete texturizing double-dig, and the U-bar dig. Following
are simplified side views of each of these processes. The
first two are described in the text.
The complete texturizing double-dig was developed to
improve soil quality more rapidly and is used one time only. It is
used usually in place of the initial double-dig, but it can be used
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