trench at the end of the bed. You may also add some of
the buckets from the +rst trench. If you add compost that
you have made with soil, that will also contribute soil to
the bed.
Take buckets of surplus soil to the soil bin pile.
Level and shape the bed. Sprinkle on compost and any
soil amendments as recommended by your soil test over
the surface of the bed. These may include organic
nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, calcium and trace mineral
fertilizers. (For more detail, see this page.) Include any
pH modi+ers (such as special leaf or pine needle
compost to make the soil less alkaline, or lime to make
the soil less acid) as indicated by your soil test. Sift in
compost and fertilizers and pH modi+ers only 2 to 4
inches deep with a spading fork. After sifting them in, do
no further raking to avoid disturbing the even
distribution of fertilizers and compost.
Considerations for Initial Dig with Very Poor Soils
You may choose to add compost at di)erent points for
the initial double-dig and when working with a soil with
very low amounts of organic matter. Instead of applying
compost only after the double-dig, consider spreading a
½-inch layer over the bed before double-digging and/or
a ½-inch layer during the dig by incorporating it
thoroughly into the 12-inch-deep trench.