Mulching and Hoeing

Once you prepare a seed bed in a loose surface of fine soil, you may have to use the back of a spade to press the surface down firmly so that you can create a connection between the surface and the capillary ducts below the surface.

This must be done so enough moisture can rise to the surface to allow the seeds to germinate.

Once seedlings appear on the surface, hoeing should be done in order to stir up the soil.

Soil should be stirred frequently throughout the summer.

Hoeing produces a loose tilth on the surface soil. This forms what is, essentially, a mulch to the soil below.

However, the soil itself provides the most protection.

Frequently hoeing the soil preserves moisture, aerates the soil and distributes nitrifying bacteria in throughout the soil.

It warms the surface of the soil and makes the nitrogen in the humus easily available.

Hoeing frequently also encourages crop growth and discourages the growth of weeds.

This allows manure to be saved and means that less work needs to be done on the soil.

Some crops need more moisture than can naturally be supplied by the soil.

They require a mulch of straw manure.

You should hoe the soil clear of weeds as soon as the plants have begun growing freely, and then thoroughly soak the soil in water.

Once the surface of the soil is dry, stir the soil again. Then, lay manure over the roots on each side of the row, down to about three or four inches.

This mulch prevents water from evaporating, keeps the surface cool and provides more food for the plants.

It helps to soak the plants in water occasionally, although simply applying a mulch of manure will, by itself, improve their growth.