It's like cooking with no pots or pans, or like giving a speech without a microphone: you can have the freshest ingredients and all the practice in the world, but you're not set up to succeed. Gardening is the same way—without a properly prepped garden bed, your seeds will be at a disadvantage from the start. For a complete tutorial, check out this article. Here are some tips to get started:

• Time to till: Your soil has sat still all winter, compacting and harboring weed seeds soon to sprout. Tilling your soil will improve the texture, kill any weeds currently growing, and let any waiting below the surface sprout in time to catch them before you plant. If you don't have a tiller, never fear: a fork or shovel will do for most home gardeners.
• Occultation: As in...occult? Yes. But we're not suggesting bringing your garden into the realm of the esoteric; in gardening,  occultation refers to covering your garden bed with a tarp (at its root, occult just refers to something that's hidden). If you still don't have the ability to loosen up your soil, or if you practice no-till methods, place a tarp over your growing space and weigh it down. Do this now and leave it until planting time. Weeds already growing will wither. Dormant weed seeds will sprout in the moist conditions and then perish in the lack of light. Occultation also improves the texture and nutrient content of your soil: beneficial bacteria and fungi will thrive in the anaerobic conditions, and earthworms will appreciate the darkness and work their way to the surface. All with just a tarp!
• Test your soil: See our March Gardening Checklist for tips on what to do.
• Amend your soil: Got the results of your soil tests? Great! ...Now what? Take your results to your local garden center or consult your county extension office. They'll help you find the best ways to improve the texture and nutrient content of the soil. Our favorite go-to is organic compost. Either use your own pile or invest in some from a local garden center, farm, or municipal supply. While chicken, horse, and cow manure are popular fertilizer choices, it's important to know the source: what the animals are fed, if they're given antibiotics, or if pesticides are used on the grass they eat can all affect the quality of the manure. You'll also want to make sure it's been aged properly; fresh manure can do damage. A good option? Contact your local farmer! That way, you'll know just what's in the manure you use, and you'll connect with your neighbors, too. Just take care not to apply too much, or you could see nutrient burning on your plants. 

TOOLS & SUPPLIES

If you're eager to get seeds in the ground, it's easy to forget the supplies you may need to grow your garden right. For instance:

• Hoses and irrigation: You'll be glad, once your seeds are in place, to have a hose that doesn't leak and an irrigation system ready to turn on.
• Pots and planters: Whether it's for starting seeds or growing mature plants, it's time to buy your containers. 
• Tools: Whether for weeding, planting, harvesting, pruning, or deadheading, there's a hand tool to help you along. Chances are our tool collection has what you need!
• Cleaning and sanitizing: If you're reusing pots, knives, tomato cages, or other tools, it's a good idea to give them a scrub; you'll be less likely to carry over diseases from last season.