by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: January 03, 2009   Last Updated: September 04, 2010

A successful vegetable garden comes from proper preparation of the soil and properly cultivating the soil. Prior to planting anything in it, a vegetable garden will have to be tilled. By tilling the soil, you will turn the top soil that last year's vegetables grew in under, while turning the under soil so that it comes to the top. This just ensures that even though you rotate the placement of your plants year after year, that you don't plant anything in the same soil that it, or anything else, was planted in the year before.

*Build a compost heap -

Anyone who wants to have a vegetable garden should start by creating a compost heap, preferably as long before you plan to break ground for your vegetable garden as possible. The addition of compost to your soil will improve the condition of your soil greatly. Compost is, quite simply, the end result of the decomposition process of yard waste and kitchen scraps. By soaking the pile and covering it, the temperature will rise and expedite the decomposition process.

*Find the ideal location -

Once you have located the place where you want to put your garden, decide how big you want to make it. The size will have a direct bearing on what you can plant and how much you can plant. Bigger isn't always better. If you are a beginner, consider starting out small. If you know that you are going to be planting a vegetable garden year after year, make sure you choose a location that will allow you to expand it in subsequent years.

*Test the soil -

Before doing anything, you need to find out whatever you can about your soil. A soil testing kit will tell you a lot about your soil, and this will help you decide how to proceed. It will help you know what you need to add if anything.

If the quality of your soil is really poor and it would take a lot of work and a lot of amendments to improve it, consider building a raised bed. The raised bed is created either by purchasing a kit, using recycled railroad ties or some other material out of which they construct an elevated area. Soil must be added to the space, but you can amend the soil by adding compost, manure, peat moss, or any other organic material. It is supposed to be an optimally effective way through which to use garden space.

*Till the soil -

Tilling the soil is a means by which to dig up, turn over and loosen the soil. It is done with a rototiller or, if the space is large enough, with a tractor. Soil erosion is a natural part of our ecology. By digging up the soil, it is

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