Good time to till??????????????

[bstovall]

Last year was my first for a veggie garden. After the final harvest, I did nothing to my soil, just let it sit there through the winter. I know better know and will care for it better this year. However it is getting close to planting time and I need to till my soil.

I rented a large tractor pull behind this weekend but the problem is that we got a cold front. The high today is to be 40 degrees. Can I till as long as the ground is not frozen? I remember someone telling me it is not good to till soil when it is cold. For the most part, our winter has been very very warm and the ground is probably not as cold as it should be on Feb. 11.

Also, I extended my garden to be twice the size and mulched the area with oak and cedar chippings. Should I just till the chippings into the soil or remove them and use them for mulching this summer?

So much to learn. You all might get tired of all my questions :)

Thanks
B.

[sandih]

Not tired of your question..just your question marks.

:wink:

[sandih]

Please know that it was just a joke.

[khwoz]

Remove the chippings and use them as a mulch on top of the ground later. What you need to put on & till into your garden are the amendments that are listed on this website. Mulch will rob nitrogen, etc. out of your soil as it composts if you till it in.

Check the website for help. The link below is on the home page & will help you.

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=1005

[bstovall]

Thanks for the link. Very helpful.

B.