COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s not too soon to start thinking about next year’s garden, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.

“A good garden starts with good soil,” said David Trinklein. “Fall is an ideal time to work on garden soil improvement.”

In both new and established gardens, one of the best ways to improve soil structure and productivity is to add organic matter during fall plowing, he said.

This practice loosens clay soils typical of many parts of Missouri. Ideal garden soils contain about 5 percent organic matter, but amounts as low as 1 to 2 percent are typical in the state.

Inexpensive sources of organic matter include compost, well-rotted manure and leaf mold. Peat moss is excellent but can be expensive, Trinklein said.

Adding up to 4 inches of organic matter on a yearly basis to garden soil is a best-management practice, he said. Thorough incorporation to a depth of 6 inches gives maximum results.

If soil tests indicate the need, fall also is an ideal time to add lime or phosphorous, which react slowly and will not leach out of the soil during winter, he said.

Planting cover crops such as wheat, rye or vetch is another way to build good garden soil. Cover crops decompose into the soil in the early spring before the planting season arrives.

 Robert E. Thomas - Missouri Extension Service