You can buy soil test kits from Home Depot and probably OSH.
Soil samples into the kit and it tells you if you're to PH or acid
and what to add to counter. I tried one a few years ago and found the
yard to be 6.5. Which is just about right.

Best would be to take a sample and send it off to your county ag. dept.
They'll (for a fee) analyze and send you a report with suggestions
of what to amend with.

I've had good luck with just adding a lot of compost to make the soil
loose, so root structure is not inhibited. As well as manure/fertilizer
and not compacting the final dig by keeping from walking on it. I've got to
till a new area this evening before it rains tomorrow. I'll probably get only
a few inches in
the clay but the rain tomorrow should help the next few inches get softer.
I've got a pile of compost from the city ready to be added afterwards.

Good drainage, 12 inches minimum IMO to dig/prep
I'm still learning.

Clear as mud?

Jeff

Brs36 wrote:

Hi Zahn,

Yes, exactly that. I want to test the soil and prepare it properly, so I'm
looking for some kind of reference (online or in book form) to get started.

Thanks,
B
Hi,

I'm looking for information on how to prepare soil for a raised vegetable
bed
(online or offline info.). In particular, I'm looking for a good reference
to
know how much of what soil and amendments to use and how to calculate how
much
I need to buy based on the size of the garden.

Thanks,
Brenan
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The answer depends on what the condition and nutrient analysis is of
the soil you have to start with.

zhan

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