Conditioning Soil for Landscaping

Till the Soil

• Tilling is the simple act of breaking up the soil into an even, well-workable substrate. This conditions the soil and loosens it so your plants can spread their roots easier, while also allowing water and fertilizer to penetrate the soil better. For the best soil conditions, break up the soil to a depth of 10 inches and remove any rocks, weeds or similar matter that you find. Use either a spade or, if you're trying to canvas a large swath of land, a mechanical tool such as a rototiller that you simply push across your landscape while the rototiller's blades break up the ground beneath you. For the best results, only till dry ground. If you try to till wet soil, you actually ruin the soil's condition and make the ground more prone to form clods.

Add Compost

• Compost is simply a rich, crumbly soil amendment made from decomposed organic matter. You can make it at home by piling up plant scraps and other organic waste and allowing it to decompose, or you can buy compost in a nursery or garden store. It's rich in nutrients and also helps condition the soil by enhancing soil structure, boosting microorganism activity and improving drainage. To condition your soil before landscaping, spread 3 inches of compost over the bare soil and mix it into the top 6 inches of soil.

Apply a Base Fertilizer

• All plants benefit from soil that's rich in nutrients. High levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium help with root establishment, foliage development, flowering and fruiting. Plants placed in well-fertilized, conditioned soil are also better able to resist diseases and insect pests. To condition your soil, spread 1 pound of a basic, all-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer for every 100 feet of gardening row, or approximately 10 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of gardening space.

Spread Mulch

• Mulch conditions the soil by helping to enhance the concentration of organic matter in the soil while also conserving soil moisture, shielding the soil from heat fluctuations, and blocking weed invasions. It also protects soil from excess water runoff, which can cause erosion and loss of soil nutrients. Example mulches include wood chips, shredded leaves and straw. To achieve most of its benefits, mulch layers must be approximately 2 to 4 inches thick. Replenish mulch as needed to maintain its conditioning properties.