Tillage & CultivationUnit 1.2 | Part 1 – 49Demonstration 1: Preparing the Garden Site for
French-Intensive Soil Cultivation
step-by-step instructions for students
Students’ Step-by-Step Instructions, Demonstration 1
INTRODUCTION
A key component to developing and
maintaining fertile garden soil is the
proper use of tillage and soil
amendments. The following step-by-
step instructions will guide you through
site assessment and preparation steps
to take prior to French-intensive tillage
operations or “double digging.” In
Demonstration 2 you will prepare the
French-intensive raised beds.
PREPARATION AND MATERIALS- Soil moisture chart (Appendix 1 and the USDA-NRCS
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 rake - Any needed amendments (mineral amendments, soy meal,
fish meal, etc.) - Stabilized, mature compost
Collect and organize the materials listed above.