'Tis the season to work the soil. Here are some pointers to consider.
Rejuvenating a garden bed involves clearing out or at least thinning existing plants, removing weeds and other debris, reworking the soil and starting over with new or newly divided plants.
The weather at this time of year is ideal for working with soil since it lacks the heaviness caused by spring rains. Not only is the soil lighter and easier to handle, less chance exists of damaging soil structure that comes from working with soil that is too wet. In addition, after the new bed has been excavated, the winter cold will help break down any clods in the soil more easily.
One clump, or two?
Cultivating the soil can be done with a tiller or by hand using a spade or garden fork. The heavy clay soils around this area can be improved by simple or double digging since both techniques promote the breakdown of organic matter and introduce air into the soil.
Simple digging means that the spade is driven into the soil to the depth of the blade. The shovelful of soil is removed and returned back into the trench where large clumps can be chopped up. Double digging is similar except that the depth is twice the length of the spade and the soil is placed in the next trench rather than returned to its original place. Organic material such as well-rotted manure or compost can be added during either process.
Garden of weedin'
Weeds should be eliminated from an overgrown flowerbed to prevent their return the following year. Even though some weeds are annuals and would not return anyway, you can bet they will have left behind seeds that will allow the next generation to take root.
Weeds can be remove manually or mechanically or by chemically treating them. Pulling weeds by hand or using a hoe or other garden tool ensures little disturbance to desired existing plantings. Yet, it is often a chore to get to the root of weeds using these methods, especially if a taproot is present. Obviously, removing the root eliminates the return of a perennial weed next season.
Chemical weed killers work on contact by being absorbed into plants and disrupting their life cycle. Within a few days the weeds shrivel and die. Caution must be used to prevent "drift" of the weed-killing product to other parts of the garden. Most chemicals are not so specific as to know the difference between poison ivy and a lovely hosta.
Water works
If water drainage had been a problem, it is best corrected during this garden make-over. Water can be diverted by creating a ditch along the side or within the garden that carries excess water away from the plants. This prevents plants and soil from becoming waterlogged. Another effective technique is the use of drainpipes or drainage tiles instead of small canals.
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