Teaching Organic Farming & Gardening

Tillage & Cultivation

Unit 1.2 | Part 1 – 57
Students’ Step-by-Step Instructions, Demonstration 2

Demonstration 2: French-Intensive Soil Cultivation

step-by-step instructions for students

INTRODUCTION

A key component to developing and

maintaining fertile garden soil is the

proper use of tillage and soil amend-

ments. The following step-by-step

instructions will guide you through the

execution, and evaluation of French-

intensive tillage operations. Follow the

steps outlined below when develop-

ing and maintaining French-intensive

raised beds. Note that the site prepara-

tion for this exercise is done in Demon-

stration 1.

PREPARATION AND MATERIALS

• Soil moisture chart (Appendix 1) and USDA publication
  Estimating Soil Moisture by Feel and Appearance


• Tools: Garden spade and fork, U-bar/broad fork, stakes and
  string, wheelbarrow or buckets, tape measure, digging board,
  bow or leaf rake


• Any needed mineral amendments


• Stabilized compost
  Collect and organize the materials listed above.