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Dig Deep: The Right Way to Prep Your Soil in April
Apr
Whether you’re planting juicy tomatoes, vibrant zinnias, or a lush pollinator garden, great gardens start with great soil—and April is the perfect time to dig in.
Here at Sixteen Acres Garden Center, we know our New England soil can be a little stubborn after a long winter. That’s why soil prep is one of the most important things you can do this month to set your garden up for success. Let’s walk through the essential steps for prepping your beds—and highlight some top-performing products we trust and carry right here in-store.
1. Start with a Soil Test
Before adding anything, it’s smart to test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. Many of the most common gardening problems—from blossom end rot to weak growth—stem from imbalances that are easy to fix when caught early.
🧪 Pro Tip: pH testing kits are available in-store, and our team is happy to help interpret the results and recommend the right amendments.
2. Enrich with Organic Matter
Adding compost or organic matter is a must. It improves drainage, boosts microbial life, and helps your soil retain nutrients and moisture—especially important in our often sandy or clay-heavy local soils.
🌱 We recommend Sweet Peet® Soil Conditioner—an all-natural composted mulch made from horse stable bedding. It conditions your soil while suppressing weeds and enhancing fertility. Sweet Peet is ideal for veggie beds and perennial borders alike.
3. Build Fertility with Espoma Biotone
When it’s time to plant, Espoma® Bio-tone Starter Plus is your best friend. This all-natural plant food contains beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae, which help roots absorb nutrients faster and more effectively. It’s perfect for both vegetables and flowers, giving young plants a strong and healthy start.
🌿 Use Bio-tone when planting trees, shrubs, perennials, or edibles—just sprinkle it in the planting hole and mix it with the soil. Your plants will thank you all season long.
4. Choose Quality Soil for Containers & Raised Beds
If you’re filling raised beds or pots, don’t skimp on quality. A reliable blend ensures healthy roots and thriving plants from the start.
🪴 Fafard® Premium Natural & Organic Potting Soil is a favorite for good reason—it’s packed with organic materials, retains moisture without becoming soggy, and provides excellent drainage for a wide range of plants. We stock Fafard products in-store, ready to go for your early-season containers.
5. Need a Hand? We’ve Got Your Back
Soil can be tricky—but you’re never alone when you shop at Sixteen Acres Garden Center. Our local experts can help you troubleshoot your planting site, walk you through soil amending options, and recommend just the right products based on your garden goals.
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Let’s grow something great this April. Whether it’s a backyard veggie patch, a colorful container, or a pollinator paradise, it all starts with soil. Dig deep, start smart, and stop by Sixteen Acres Garden Center for the best tools, products, and advice around.
