16 LANDSCAPE GARDEN SERIES 



PREPARATION OF PLANTING AREAS 



Proper preparation of the soil is one of the biggest factors in getting 

 success in planting. The least that can be done is to provide one good 

 and thorough spading to a depth of the average spade (9 inches). The 

 best way is to go two spades deep, loosening up the soil to a depth of 

 1 8 to 24 inches. To do this a process called trenching is followed 

 (Figs. 3 and 4). Trenching is done in one of two ways. One 

 method which brings about a thorough mixture of soil and manure is par- 

 tcularly desirable for shrub beds. The other method also accomplishes 

 deep preparation of the soil, but differs in that the manure or fertilizer 

 is placed in a layer at the bottom of the bed. This method is desirable 

 for perennial plantings. 



Where the subsoil is too poor to be used, it can be removed from 

 the bed during trenching operations. In trenching planting beds, enough 

 soil is dug out at one end of the bed to make a trench, which is carried 

 along the entire length of the bed as the soil is worked. The soil 

 thrown out at the beginning is used to fill the trench at the opposite end 

 of the bed. It is well, where possible, to prepare the beds in advance 

 of the time the plants will be received. Preparation of beds in the fall 

 for the spring shipment is a good idea. 



