Soil prep for your edible garden

Most soils will support edible plants better with the addition of ample organic matter.

Thierry Ndayisaba looks at the vegetables growing in his family's garden in East Portland.

Here are a few ways to set up your soil for veggie success:

Spread or mix in a half- to 2-inch layer of compost (unless your soil is already dark, crumbly and rich in organic matter).
Loosen the soil with a garden fork or spade and mix any compost or fertilizer added.
If a soil test or early summer lackluster plant performance indicates you may need more nutrients, use an organic blend made for vegetables and follow recommended application rates on the label or from your test results. For soil testing resources, contact your local Master Gardener volunteers.

Test for nutrients and heavy metals

If you're not sure about your soil, or have any concerns about pollutants, The University of Massachusetts offers a range of relatively inexpensive quality testing. Contact the Oregon State University Master Gardeners to find out about additional options.