1. August 2008 Preparing the Planting Site Developed by: Dr. Teri Hamlin Georgia Department of Education

2. August 2008 Basic Steps Whether you're growing flowers, vegetables, shrubs or trees, the basic steps for preparing the beds for planting are similar: –1. Site Analysis –2. Laying Out New Beds –3. Removing Sod/Weeds –4. Preparing Soil –5. Finishing Borders

3. August 2008 Site Analysis Know your site above and below the ground There are three main planting site characteristics that will influence how plants will thrive These three characteristics are – –Soil type and condition –Drainage –Availability of light

4. August 2008 Below the Ground Soil Type Three Basic Soil Types Sand soils - have easily detectable particles and are gritty in texture; water retention is very poor, and they are more resistant to compaction and have minimal nutrient value. Loam soils - have relatively equal proportions of sand, silt and clay; feel smooth but there is evidence of graininess; have some nutrient value, and have fair to good moisture retention. Clay soils - have very fine particles, smooth texture, retard the movement of water, contain high nutrient value and compact easily when wet

5. August 2008 Native Soil vs Desirable Soil pH Texture Drainage Fertile

6. August 2008 Below the Ground Soil Texture Fine Texture Clay –compact –poorly drained –low oxygen # 1 cause of plant decline in Georgia

7. August 2008 Below the Ground Soil Test

8. August 2008 Soil pH pH governs the availability of nutrients & activity level of microorganisms

9. August 2008 Below the Ground Soil pH Most plants can grow in a soil pH 5.5 - 7.0 Low pH < than 5.0 (acidic soil) –Dolomite or Limestone High pH > 7.0 (alkaline soil) –Ammonium sulfate, Aluminum sulfate, Sulfuric acid

10. August 2008 Below the Ground Soil Drainage Good Drainage: water drains in 2 hours Fair Drainage: water drains in several hours Poor Drainage: 8-10 hours water still there

11. August 2008 Above the Ground SITE ANALYSIS Sun Exposure –Full sun –Part sun –Part shade –Shade

12. August 2008 Above the Ground Wind Flow Wind –increase the amount of water loss from plants –big problem if root space is limited or poorly drained soil (lack of root development)

13. August 2008 Laying Out New Beds A garden hose is often the best tool for establishing the new boundaries First, lay it out approximately where you want it. Then, flex the hose as needed to achieve the best-looking layout.

14. August 2008 Laying Out New Beds If you're working off a plan and exact dimensions are critical: –Choose a landmark on the plan (like a corner of the house or lot) –Determine the lengths at right angles from that to the bed's boundaries on the plan –Measure those same lengths off the landmark in your yard –Lay the hose through those points to get the boundaries exact.

15. August 2008 Removing Present Vegetation Once you've determined the boundaries for the beds, you can remove the sod or whatever vegetation falls within the boundaries – Chemically: Post Emergence Herbicide

16. August 2008 Removing Sod First, cut into the sod down to the soil along your boundary line using a square-nose shovel. Next, use the shovel to pry up the edge of the sod down to the soil and push the shovel in between the sod and the soil as level as you can get it to cut the sod away.

17. August 2008 Sod Cutter For larger beds, a gas operated sod cutter can be used Front blade slices the sod away from the soil

18. August 2008 Preparing Soil Area should be turned and dug to a minimum depth of 12 inches and minimum width of 3x the canopy

19. August 2008 Amend the soil Organic Materials Improve Drainage Till 4 to 6 inches of decomposed materials into the entire planting area to a depth of 12 inches

20. August 2008 Types of Organic Materials Decomposed –Animal Manure –Bark –Peat Moss –Grass Clippings –Leaves –Wood Chips –Sewage Sludge

21. August 2008 Compost an Organic Material

22. August 2008 Elevate Beds Increase drainage Decrease soil compaction 30% greater growth

23. August 2008 Soil Sample and Analysis Determining the fertility level of a soil through a soil test is the first step in planning a sound lime and fertilization program for the home landscape and garden.

24. August 2008 Lime & Fertilizer Recommendations Based on your soil sample analysis add needed lime and nutrients to site.

25. August 2008 Finishing the Borders For a simple, natural look, you can finish your new beds with a beveled edge. Just dig down along the edge about 4 inches deep, pushing the soil back into the bed and leaving a gap between the bed and the edge. Then shape the soil so it slopes down to the bottom of the new edge at a 45 degree angle.

26. August 2008 Install Edging Dig down about 6 inches along the edge of the bed, keeping the outside edge fairly plumb. Set the edging against that outside edge. Backfill the loose soil against the edging. Compact the soil to embed the edging firmly. Concrete curbing can be laid by machine

27. August 2008 Definition of Bed If you use edging material or not, show a definition between lawn and bed.

28. August 2008 Ready to Plant