Soil Preparation For Better Crop Yield -

Preparation is important for any venture; you prepare your car or tools for a journey before using them for work.

Like any other preparation, getting the soil ready for planting is critical to ensure we optimise the soil for good yield.

This article will examine how our soil can be prepared or cared for.

So, what’s soil preparation? It is the practice of optimising soil for good crop plant yields.

Steps For Soil Preparation

Clearing and Cleaning

When you come into contact with the soil you intend to prepare, the first thing you should do is clean and clear it.

Remove any dirt, such as weeds, old roots, rocks, and anything else that can stop plant growth or interrupt the process.

Soil Testing

Test the soil to have a good understanding of the state of the soil

Its types, the PH, its nutritional content, and the information gotten from this leads us to the next step.

Soil Amendment

Based on the result of the soil test, having identified what is deficient in the soil.

Add the required organic matter (compost or manure) to improve soil structure and adjust the soil pH if necessary.

Tilling and digging

Till the soil loosens the soil this helps to improve aeration, root penetration and water infiltration

Till or dig to the depth right for the plant root system of the crop you intend to plant

Add manure or fertilizer.

Add fertilizer or manure to the soil as recommended for the plant intended for planting.

Levelling and smoothing

Level the soil surface. A rake is used for this,

This helps to create a uniform bed, promoting equal moisture distribution and making planting easy.

Create plant rows, beds and ridges

Depending on what crop you intend to plant

Make rows, beds or ridges, whichever is appropriate, with the right spacing for the plant.

Mulching (optional)

Apply organic mulch such as (straw or shredded leaves) to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds and regular soil temperature.

Watering

Water the soil properly before planting to have adequate moisture for seed germination and initial root growth.

Planting

Plant the seeds, seedling or stem following planting instruction

Check our How to Grow category to find planting instructions for various crops.

Tools For Soil Preparation

Shovel: Useful for digging and turning over soil, especially in larger areas.

Spade: This tool is similar to a shovel but with a flat blade. It is ideal for edging and digging in smaller spaces.

Fork: A garden fork helps to aerate soil, break up clumps, and lift plants and weeds.

Rake: Used for levelling soil, removing debris like stones and clumps, and creating a smooth seedbed.

Tiller or Rototiller: Motorized or hand-operated; these are used for breaking up and tilling larger soil areas.

Hoe: For weeding, cultivating, and making furrows for planting seeds.

Mattock: Combines the features of an axe and an adze, making it useful for digging in hard soil or rocky terrain.

Wheelbarrow or Garden Cart: Essential for transporting soil, compost, and plants around your garden.

Hand Trowel: Small and handy for planting, transplanting, and digging in confined spaces or containers.

Soil pH Testing Kit: This kit tests the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, ensuring it’s suitable for your plants.

Garden Hose or Irrigation System: This is used to water the soil after preparation.

Mulch: While not a tool, mulch is essential for covering and protecting the soil, conserving moisture, and reducing weed growth after preparation.

How to prepare the perfect soil mix

To create the perfect soil mix, follow the guidelines below

Ingredients

Garden soil: This serves as the base for the mixture, providing stability and holding nutrients and water together. Make sure the soil is free from weeds and contamination.

Compost (organic matter) improves soil structure, adds nutrients, and enhances water retention. Ensure that you use fully decomposed manure.

Coarse sand(sharp sand or grits): improves drainage and prevents the soil from being compact

Pertile or vermiculite (optional): Improves aeration and drainage. Perlite is lightweight and holds air well, while vermiculite retains moisture.

Steps

Gather the ingredients together
Mix all the ingredients
Fill the container or raised bed with the soil mix

Note

70% of garden soil and 30% of compost are good for perennial crops, shrubs, fruits, and tree plants.
The ratio will differ depending on the kind of soil; for instance, clay soil will need more sandy soil or lots of compost to improve drainage
And sandy soil will need a generous amount of compost to help it hold nutrients and water.
Use different ratios to find the one that works best for you.

Frequently asked questions about soil preparation

How do I clean soil?

Soil can be cleaned by using some or all of these steps

Remove debris
Till the soil
Remove weeds
Inspect for pests and larvae
Amend the soil
Consider solarization (if necessary)
Practice crop rotation

Can I put new soil on top of the existing soil?

Yes

New soil can be added to old or existing soil.

There are good reasons why this is done in gardening

To improve soil structure
Increase soil quantity
Leveling and filling
Reduce contamination

Tips to Consider

Prepare the existing soil before adding the new soil
Decide whether to mix or level the soil
Mix the new soil with the existing soil. This is better and improves the entire soil structure.
Level the existing soil and pour the new soil on top of it; this saves time and is easier to do
Water the soil after mixing.

Can I reuse soil with roots?

Yes.

All that’s needed is to remove the old roots, inspect for pests and diseases, and amend the soil.

How to sterilize soil?

Soil sterilization removes unwanted or harmful organisms (pests), weed seeds and pathogens from the soil.

Types of sterilization methods are:

Oven sterilization
Steaming
Microwave
Solarization

Avoid these mistakes;

Not reaching the stipulated time
Over sterilization

How do you grow plants in soil?

Make a hole in the soil and place the plant and seed in the soil.

Different soils have different requirements.

Check our how-to-grow category for specific instructions for whichever crop you want to grow.

How to make loamy soil?

Mix a balanced sand, silt and clay ratio and add organic matter.

How long after adding manure can I plant?

This would vary depending on the type of manure and crop

For fresh manure, wait for 3-6 months
Aged or composed manure wait for 2-4 weeks before planting
Side-dressing: Aged manure can be added to established plants.

How do you put nutrients back in the soil?

Apply organic manure or fertiliser.
Plant cover crops
Practice crop rotation
Mulching

How do you take soil samples?

To take a soil sample, use a clean shovel or soil auger to collect samples from various points in your garden or field.

Mix the samples in a clean bucket and send a subsample to a soil testing laboratory for analysis.

How to soften clay soil?

Add organic matter like compost, leaf mould, or aged manure to soften clay soil. These materials improve drainage and break up clay particles over time.

How long should soil sit before planting?

After preparing soil, it is generally beneficial to allow it to settle for about 1-2 weeks before planting. This allows time for any amendments to integrate and for the soil structure to stabilize.

Soil Preparation For Better Crop Yield