How to Improve Soil Loaminess on 1 Acre

All plants need proper loose, loamy and nutritious soil for growth, blooming and fruiting. Small vegetable and flower gardens present a small amount of work when it comes to preparing the soil. Planting a larger area, though, presents a larger challenge and time commitment. If you're planting on a larger scale and still need to improve the soil, rent a small tractor or rototiller for a weekend to ease the workload. Set out the plan ahead of time, and focus on straightforward amendments.

Tractor/rototiller
Organic compost
Fertilizer
Rake/garden fork
Stakes
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Remove weeds or rocks from the site. Rocks will cause complications during the tilling phase. Set the borders for the planting zone and place stakes in the ground at the corners. This will keep the workload to a minimum by keeping you in-bounds.
- 2
  Set the drag on the tractor or rototiller for 6 inches. Drive or walk the land in straight lines, with a slight overlap to cover all the soil. This initial digging loosens compacted soil and prepares it for amendment. The mixing process also aerates the soil for better growing.
- 3
  Lay 2 to 3 inches of organic compost on the natural soil through the entire site. The soil can be fertilized at this time with up to 400 lbs. of 13-13-13 granular fertilizer (1 lb. per 100 square feet). Scatter the fertilizer over the compost for mixing.
- 4
  Drive or walk the site again with a tractor or rototiller set at the same depth to mix the compost and fertilizer into the natural soil. Compost improves loaminess, nutrition and moisture retention in the soil, while the fertilizer adds more quick nutrition. Water the land for 30 minutes to an hour to settle the soil and disseminate the fertilizer before planting.

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