Preparing soil in fall eliminates work in spring

Think ahead to spring planting time. One way to get the jump on that season is by readying the soil now.

For instance, you could till now rather than in spring. Don't till as thoroughly as if you were preparing a seedbed, though, or raindrops will pound the dirt into an airtight powder. Instead, leave the soil rough, and let alternate freezing and thawing fracture the large clods. Come spring, lightly rake the clods for a smooth seedbed.

An even easier way to get the soil ready is by not tilling at all. Tilling aerates soil, which is needed because you walk on it. If you don't till, lay out your garden with permanent areas designated for walking and for planting -- beds and paths or stepping stones.

Whether or not you till, nothing can be planted in spring until weeds are cleared away. Delaying weeding allows many perennial weeds to become firmly established and gives annual weeds more chance to seed themselves until they're stopped by winter cold.

Fall is also a good time to both make and spread compost. An abundance of compostable materials lets you build compost piles carefully and all at once. Such piles heat up quickly, and the heat, along with time, kills weed seeds and disease organisms. Each fall, cover planting areas with compost. If you till your garden, spread compost over the surface after you till.

Compost can supply much of the nutrients that plants need, as well as maintain pH balance. Annual additions of more concentrated fertilizers, and perhaps lime, may also be needed, and now is also a good time to apply these materials.Organic fertilizers are ideal for applying in fall because their nutrients stay in place until warm weather returns. No need to rush with any of this fall soil preparation. But by getting the ground ready now, you will have plenty of time next spring to devote to pruning, mowing and tidying up.