Not every garden needs a frame. If you've got decent native soil and a sunny spot, planting straight into the ground works beautifully too. The key is giving your native soil a boost, since most yards aren't naturally set up to grow hungry vegetables at their best. Here's how to get it right.

o Choose a sunny spot with at least 6-8 hours of direct light, and clear the area of grass, weeds, and debris. Loosen the native soil to a depth of 8-12 inches with a shovel or garden fork so roots can easily push through.

o There are a couple of ways to work in your nutrient rich soil: mix it 1:1 with your native soil across the whole bed before planting or spread a 2-inch layer on top of your existing soil and plant directly into it (this also helps cut down on weeds sprouting from the native soil below).

o Transplant your seedlings or sow your seeds according to your package instructions. If you'd rather amend just around each plant instead of the whole bed, fill each planting hole with equal parts Coast of Maine soil and the surrounding soil, tamp gently, and water to help it settle.

o Water regularly. In-ground beds generally hold moisture longer than raised beds or containers, but a layer of mulch on top will help even more, especially through hot summer stretches.

o Check on your crops regularly to monitor soil moisture and scout for early signs of pests or disease catching problems early makes them much easier to manage.

o During the growing season, feed your plants with our Fertilizer for Tomatoes, Vegetables & Herbs every 4-5 weeks.

o To keep your soil healthy year over year, reapply Coast of Maine soil each spring and fall during bed prep, and again mid-season for a boost.

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Need More Help? Check out our Growing Guide blogs below:

 

The Soil Food Web at Work in Autumn

Creating a Nitrogen Rich Compost Layer