garden prep

This is the most important step to successful gardening. A well prepared site will ensure your plants have optimal nutrients to grow abundant, flavorful, nutrient dense crops.    

The soil is where your plants will access nutrients through water. Soil is a complex system of rock, organic matter, insects, roots and fungi that all work together and against your plants. Another important factor for good nutrient uptake is a porous soil able to balance water and air through good drainage and good water holding capacity. Air space in the soil is just as important for healthy roots as water. As your vegetables grow they will need more and more nutrients and water, and more air spaces for their roots to fill. It is vital to create a “soft” deep soil that your hand can penetrate easily. And even sandy soil benefits from compost to slow down drainage and leaching of nutrients. See What is Soil and Why is Health Soil Important to learn more about the important role soil plays as well as how to test your soil.

Most soil in Westchester can supply nutrients for growing food. If you are gardening in your own soil, it will probably be a good idea to see what you have to work with. Certain plants need certain soil qualities -- such as proper pH (acidity) -- to flourish. And many urban soils are lead-contaminated.

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Soil Sources
Incorporate Compost
Soil Depth and Raised Bed
Pre-Constructed Beds
Edging
Soil Sources

Garden soil is available for purchase at most commercial nurseries in Westchester County. If you need to amend your soil, you can add compost or fresh soil. Here are some ideas for how to do that. For more comprehensive information, see Soil Health page. [LINK to PW Soil Health]

Title: Building Garden Soil with Free, Local, and Abundant Resources
Author/Source: Patrick Dolan - OYR Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening Channel
Description: This video shows how to use free resources instead of confusing, expensive products. 

Title: How to Fill a Raised Bed (And Save Money)
Author/Source: Gardener Scott
Description: You can fill a raised bed and spend almost nothing. 

Incorporate Compost

Most backyard gardens in Westchester County will benefit from adding compost to the soil. Many different types of compost and organic matter can be incorporated into your soils. Buy compost, or make your own from your family’s kitchen food scraps.

Title: A Simple Guide to Backyard Composting
Author/Source: Westchester County and Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Description: Helpful brochure defines composting and its importance, explains the basics of composting, shows different methods and kinds of equipment. 

Title: Home Composting
Author/Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Description: A guide to composting at home, including why, how to, and troubleshooting, plus links to events, services, and additional sources of information.

Title: Westchester County Compost and Education Center (CompostED) in Valhalla
Author: Westchester County
Description: Video showing groundbreaking for a new composting education and demonstration facility in Westchester County.

Title: How to Incorporate Compost in Your Garden 
Author/Source: Bronx GreenUp, New York Botanical Garden
Description: Join Kadeesha Williams, Bronx Green-Up’s Community Horticulturist and Agriculturist in this video to learn how to incorporate compost into your soil for the growing season.    

Title: Outdoor Composting Guide
Author/Source: New York Botanical Garden
Description: A complete guide to composting -- start to finish.

Title: Worm Composting Basics for Beginners
Author/Source: Nicole Faires
Description: How to use nature’s digesters to help eliminate food waste and produce nutrient-rich compost for your garden or house plants. Worm composting can be a good alternative for those living in apartments. 

Title: Vermicomposting: Getting Started
Author/Source: CCE Broome Online Learning
Description: This four-minute video by Broome County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension shows how to do simple worm composting using a plastic bin, bedding, worms, and food scraps. They also sponsor free workshops.

Determine Soil Depth and Need for Raised Beds

Your soil should be at minimum 6 inches deep and preferably 10 inches or more. If you don’t have this soil depth because of rock, root, or other obstruction, you will need to “raise” the soil by adding soil and containing the sides with some kind of edging. These are referred to as raised beds. Raised beds can even be completely above ground in raised planters.

There are benefits to planting in raised beds. They enable you to control your soil environment, they can discourage animal visitors, and they help with controlling and retaining moisture. You can construct them yourself or purchase them already constructed. Raised beds and/or supplies to make them can be purchased at many nurseries or home improvement stores.

Title: How to build a raised bed cheap and easy
Author/Source: James Progioni
Description: James says anyone can do it and shows you how. He even shows you how to add mulch and compost to the bed, then mix all for a good place to raise vegetables.

Title: Common raised bed mistakes to avoid
Author/Source: Gardener Scott
Description: Raised garden beds have many benefits for gardeners, but common mistakes can make raised beds less effective. Gardener Scott discusses 10 common raised garden bed mistakes to avoid when choosing to enjoy the benefits of raised bed gardening.

Use Pre-Constructed Raised Beds

Here are tips and pointers to sources of pre-constructed beds.

Title: How to Build a Raised Garden Bed: Best Kits and DIY Plans
Author/Source: Shannon Cowan
Description: So you want to build raised garden beds and you’re wondering which system is best for you. Should you go with a pre-fab kit or start from scratch? Here’s what you need to know.

Add Edging

Edging helps to control unwanted traffic into your garden and keeps in water and soil where your plants need it.

Title: Top 28 Surprisingly Awesome Garden Bed Edging Ideas      
Author/Source: Architecture and Design
Description: Creative ideas for edging your garden. Includes raised bed and in-soil gardens.