Tilling Your Garden

            Once a garden location has been established, you will probably have to do something about removing the sod. There are two options. One is to strip out the grass by hand or machine, which is a lot of work. The second is to kill off the grass, roots, and all with a herbicide like Round-Up or Kleen-Up. This can be applied anytime in April, with rototilling the dead sod under in 2 weeks. I am not a proponent of chemicals, but if this is the only one you use, you're doing fine. The benefit of this option is you get to keep all the topsoil.

             The content of your soil may have to be amended. If your soil is heavy clay, till in some peat moss and sand. These two items will help loosen up the soil and promote better drainage and root development. The amount you will need will depend on the “heaviness of your clay, it would be best to error on the “putting it on heavy” side.

            If your soil is sandy, till in a generous amount of peat moss. The peat moss will help the sandy soil retain moisture.

            Compost mixed into the soil has to be the best single thing you can do to any garden new or old. There are many retail garden centers that sell compost by the bag; and one bag will go a long way.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at NiemeyerLandscaping@Gmail.com or post a comment on this Blog. And like us on Facebook at Niemeyer Landscaping. For more Landscape and garden info and pictures on the subject check us out at www.NiemeyerLandscaping.com