Winter snow and early spring rains have helped to ease the pain of last summer’s drying heat. As a result, most of our garden soils are wet and mucky. Although spring planting of potatoes and other cool-season crops is well under way, working the garden soil now is not a good idea.

In these conditions, rototillers and other similar tools can destroy the soil structure and turn that good garden dirt into a muddy mess. Here are some tips to properly prepare soil for planting this season.

Soil is formed from tiny pieces of disintegrated rock. From largest to smallest these particles are sand, silt and clay. Unfortunately, most of our native soils contain more clay than sand.

The next component is organic matter. It is the result of the decomposition of plants and animals. Most local soils contain less than 5 percent organic matter. When decomposition stops, some organic compounds remain. This material, called humus, is what gives the soil its characteristic gray to black appearance.

The final component of soil is pore space filled with air or water. The more pore space in a soil, the more water and oxygen it can hold.

Traditionally, gardeners have used spring to work the soil in hopes of increasing drainage, making planting easier and improving their crop. Unfortunately, the overzealous use of a rototiller can do just the opposite. Excessive tilling can fragment soil and decrease internal drainage.

Working the soil when it is too wet can cause clay particles to bind, resulting in a cloddy hard soil. And tilling too often can cause a hard pan to form just below the soil surface, making it difficult for plant roots to grow deep into the soil.

The single best thing a gardener can do to improve soil is add organic matter. Even though it is only a small part of the total mass, it has a profound effect on the soil’s physical and chemical properties.

Adding organic matter increases the soil’s water and nutrient holding capacity. It helps make minerals available for plant use. And, as it accumulates, it binds clay particles into larger aggregates, improving aeration and drainage.

Gardeners can reap the benefits of organic matter by regularly incorporating compost, manure and other organic residues into the soil. As a general rule, apply 50 to 100 pounds of compost per 100 square feet of garden area each year. Manure applications should be limited to 25 to 50 pounds per 100 square feet annually.

Soil low in organic matter benefits from heavier applications to help build organic matter reserves. Soil high in organic matter needs only the minimal amount of composted manure for maintenance.

To help maximize your tomato production or to grow show-stopping petunias this year, add organic material to your planting sites. Wait at least four weeks before planting, do not apply fresh manure and, above all, do not work the soil when it is wet. Remember, gardening success always starts from the ground up.

 Bruce Chladny is horticulture agent at K-State Research and Extension-Douglas County. For more information, call him at 843-7058 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.