Preparing the Planting Site

#12

Basic Steps

 Whether you're growing flowers, vegetables, shrubs or trees, the basic steps for preparing the beds for planting are similar: – – – – – 1. Site Analysis 2. Laying Out New Beds 3. Removing Sod/Weeds 4. Preparing Soil 5. Finishing Borders

Site Analysis

 Know your site above and below the ground  There are three main planting site characteristics that will influence how plants will thrive  These three characteristics are – – – – Soil type and condition Drainage Availability of light

Below the Ground Soil Type

 Three Basic Soil Types

Sand soils

- have easily detectable particles and are gritty in texture; water retention is very poor, and they are more resistant to compaction and have minimal nutrient value.

Loam soils

- have relatively equal proportions of sand, silt and clay; feel smooth but there is evidence of graininess; have some nutrient value, and have fair to good moisture retention.

Clay soils

- have very fine particles, smooth texture, retard the movement of water, contain high nutrient value and compact easily when wet

Native Soil vs Desirable Soil

 pH  Texture  Drainage  Fertile

Below the Ground Soil Texture

 Fine Texture Clay – compact – poorly drained – low oxygen  # 1 cause of plant decline in Georgia

Below the Ground Soil Test



Soil pH

pH governs the availability of nutrients & activity level of microorganisms

Below the Ground Soil pH



Most plants can grow in a soil pH 5.5 - 7.0

 Low pH < than 5.0 (acidic soil) – Dolomite or Limestone  High pH > 7.0 (alkaline soil) – Ammonium sulfate , Aluminum sulfate, Sulfuric acid

Below the Ground Soil Drainage

Good Drainage : water drains in 2 hours Fair Drainage : water drains in several hours Poor Drainage : 8-10 hours water still there

Above the Ground SITE ANALYSIS

 Sun Exposure – Full sun – Part sun – Part shade – Shade

Above the Ground Wind Flow

 Wind – increase the amount of water loss from plants – big problem if root space is limited or poorly drained soil (lack of root development)

Laying Out New Beds

 A garden hose is often the best tool for establishing the new boundaries  First, lay it out approximately where you want it.  Then, flex the hose as needed to achieve the best looking layout.

Laying Out New Beds

 If you're working off a plan and exact dimensions are critical: – – – – Choose a landmark on the plan (like a corner of the house or lot) Determine the lengths at right angles from that to the bed's boundaries on the plan Measure those same lengths off the landmark in your yard Lay the hose through those points to get the boundaries exact.

Removing Present Vegetation

 Once you've determined the boundaries for the beds, you can remove the sod or whatever vegetation falls within the boundaries – Chemically: Post Emergence Herbicide

Removing Sod

 First, cut into the sod down to the soil along your boundary line using a square-nose shovel.

 Next, use the shovel to pry up the edge of the sod down to the soil and push the shovel in between the sod and the soil as level as you can get it to cut the sod away.

Sod Cutter

 For larger beds, a gas operated sod cutter can be used  Front blade slices the sod away from the soil

Preparing Soil

 Area should be turned and dug to a minimum depth of 12 inches and minimum width of 3x the canopy

Amend the soil

 Organic Materials Improve Drainage  Till 4 to 6 inches of decomposed materials into the entire planting area to a depth of 12 inches

Types of Organic Materials

 Decomposed – – Animal Manure Bark – Peat Moss – Grass Clippings – Leaves – Wood Chips – Sewage Sludge

Compost an Organic Material

Elevate Beds

 Increase drainage  Decrease soil compaction  30% greater growth

Soil Sample and Analysis

 Determining the fertility level of a soil through a soil test is the first step in planning a sound lime and fertilization program for the home landscape and garden.

Lime & Fertilizer Recommendations

 Based on your soil sample analysis add needed lime and nutrients to site.

Finishing the Borders

 For a simple, natural look, you can finish your new beds with a

beveled edge

.

 Just dig down along the edge about 4 inches deep, pushing the soil back into the bed and leaving a gap between the bed and the edge.  Then shape the soil so it slopes down to the bottom of the new edge at a 45 degree angle.

Install Edging

     Dig down about 6 inches along the edge of the bed, keeping the outside edge fairly plumb. Set the edging against that outside edge. Backfill the loose soil against the edging. Compact the soil to embed the edging firmly. Concrete curbing can be laid by machine

Definition of Bed

 If you use edging material or not, show a definition between lawn and bed.

Ready to Plant