Where there is considerable choice in the location of the garden plot,
it is often possible to select land that will require very little
special preparation. On the other hand, it may be necessary to take
an undesirable soil and bring it into suitable condition, and it is
generally surprising to note the change that can be wrought in a single
season.
_Plowing._--Autumn is the time for plowing hard or stiff clay soils,
especially if in a part of the country where freezing takes place, as
the action of the frost during the winter will break the soil into
fine particles and render it suitable for planting. Sandy loams and
soils that contain a large amount of humus may be plowed in the spring,
but the work should be done early in order that the soil may settle
before planting. In the Southern States, where there is not sufficient
frost to mellow the soil, this process must be accomplished by means
of frequent cultivations, in order that the air may act upon the soil
particles. It is desirable to plow the garden early, at least a few
days sooner than for general field crops.
Sandy soils will bear plowing much earlier than heavy clay soils. The
usual test is to squeeze together a handful, and if the soil adheres
in a ball it is too wet for working. In the garden greater depth of
plowing should be practiced than for ordinary farm crops, as the roots
of many of the vegetables go deeply into the soil. Subsoiling will be
found advantageous in most cases, as the drainage and general movement
of the soil moisture will be improved thereby.
Hand spading should be resorted to only in very small gardens or where
it is desirable to prepare a small area very thoroughly.
_Smoothing and Pulverizing the Soil._--After plowing, the next
important step is to smooth and pulverize the soil. If the soil be well
prepared before planting, the work of caring for the crops will be very
materially lessened. It is not sufficient that the land be smooth and
fine on top, but the pulverizing process should extend as deep as the
plowing. Some gardeners prefer to thoroughly cut the land with a disk
harrow before plowing, so that when it is turned by the plow the bottom
soil will be fine and mellow. After the plow the disk or cutting harrow
is again brought into play and the pulverizing process completed. If
the soil is a trifle too dry and contains lumps, it may be necessary to
use some form of roller or clod crusher to bring it down. For smoothing
the surface and filling up depressions a float or drag made from planks
or scantlings will be found serviceable.