If you have missed the first two installments of The First Time Gardener, check the following links:

The First Time Gardener: Planning a Garden for a Family of Four

The First Time Gardener: Preparing the Site

You got your soil test report back. Now what do you need to do? The soil test report should tell you if you need to incorporate lime to raise your soil pH or incorporate sulfur to lower your soil pH. Most of us in Kansas have alkaline soils, so we need to apply sulfur. Most vegetables do best with a pH range of 6.3 to 6.8, so we try to get our soils within that range.

If you need to apply sulfur or lime, you should do that about 6 weeks before planting, if possible. Because these products should be incorporated 6″ into the soil, this is a great time to till the garden site.

Unless it is a very small garden, you will probably want to borrow, rent, or buy some type of tiller.

Once the garden site is tilled and the lime or sulfur is incorporated, you are almost ready to start planting!