Soil Preparation

Crop Planting & Soil Preparation

The soil is the foundation of farming. Just as a strong house needs a solid base, healthy crops need healthy soil. Many times, farmers face low yields not because of bad seeds or water shortage, but because the soil wasn't prepared properly.

Soil preparation is all about making the land loose, fertile, and ready to welcome seeds or saplings.

🌍 Why Prepare Soil?

Here's why soil preparation is crucial:

  • To loosen hard soil so roots can spread easily.
  • To mix in organic matter (compost or manure) for fertility.
  • To remove weeds, stones, and old roots that compete with crops.
  • To improve water holding and drainage — so plants get just the right amount of moisture.

🛠️ Steps in Soil Preparation

1. Ploughing (Loosening the Soil)

Done with a plough, hoe, or tractor.

  • Loosens the soil up to 6–8 inches deep.
  • Allows air to enter, which roots and soil microbes need.
  • Helps rainwater soak in instead of running off.

👉 For small farmers or gardens: Even a spade or hand hoe can be used to dig and turn soil.

2. Levelling

After ploughing, the soil becomes uneven.

  • Level it with a wooden plank or leveller.
  • Benefits: prevents waterlogging in low spots and keeps irrigation uniform.

3. Adding Organic Matter (Compost or Manure)

Before sowing, mix compost, cow dung, or green manure into the soil.

  • Quantity: 2–3 tons per acre (for fields) or 1–2 kg per square meter (for beds).
  • Improves soil fertility, structure, and moisture retention.

👉 If manure is fresh, leave it in the soil for 10–15 days before sowing to avoid root burn.

4. Moisture Check

Soil should be slightly moist, not too dry or muddy.

Squeeze-test: Take soil in your hand, squeeze it.

  • If it forms a soft lump and breaks easily, it's perfect.
  • If it drips water, it's too wet → wait.
  • If it falls apart like dust, it's too dry → water lightly before sowing.

5. Weed & Stone Removal

Remove weeds, stones, and big clods (hard lumps).

This ensures seeds sprout easily and aren't blocked.

🌿 Types of Planting Beds

Depending on crop and season, soil is shaped into beds:

  • Raised Beds: Good for vegetables like tomato, brinjal, spinach — avoids waterlogging.
  • Flat Beds: Suitable for cereals like wheat, rice (in non-waterlogged fields).
  • Ridges & Furrows: For crops like potato, onion — helps drainage and easy irrigation.

🧑‍🌾 Benefits of Good Soil Preparation

Here's why proper preparation matters:

  • Seeds germinate faster.
  • Roots grow stronger and deeper.
  • Crops resist drought and pests better.
  • Higher yields with less fertilizer and water.

✍️ Practical Exercise for You

Try this simple activity:

  • Choose a small patch of land or a raised bed.
  • Loosen the soil with a spade/hoe.
  • Add 1–2 handfuls of compost per sq. ft. and mix well.
  • Level the soil and remove stones/weeds.
  • Do the squeeze test for moisture before sowing seeds.