I recently moved into a new house with compacted, hard soil that hasn't really been worked on. I want to do a solid job with my garden beds right from the start. If I have access to an excavator and some compost, how deep should I dig to loosen the soil and add organic matter? I'm wondering if I should aim for 1 foot, 2 feet, or maybe even deeper like 6 feet, considering I want to grow anything from fruit trees to tomatoes in the future.
2 Answers
Definitely make use of that excavator! I’d suggest digging deep enough to mix in organic material, but keep an eye on how dense your soil is. Adding lots of organic matter can help convert hard soil into something productive. You could even fill it with organic waste to enrich it more. Just ensure whatever you add is safe for edibles if you're planning to grow food.
If you’re planning to dig, aim to go as deep as you can because it really helps with aeration and drainage. But remember to check for drainage issues first. If your soil holds water, digging deep won’t help much. A couple of feet should be great if you can manage it! Just make sure the base drains well; otherwise, it'll turn into a bathtub for plants.
Good tip! Check drainage before you dig deep; otherwise, you might create more problems than you solve!
Great point! I wouldn’t use anything questionable for edibles, just to be safe.