The ideal garden soil is deep, friable, well drained and has high organic matter content, whether you are dealing with vegetables, flowers, turf or trees. "Proper soil preparation provides the basis for good seed germination and subsequent growth of plants," states David Robson, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

Check soil fertility and pH by having your soil tested at least once every three years. Soil pH measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Vegetables vary to some extent in their requirements, but most garden crops will do well with a soil pH of 6.2 to 6.8. This is a little below neutral or slightly acid (sour).

If soil pH is too high or too low, poor crop growth will result—largely due to the effects of pH on the availability of nutrients to plants. A soil test will also give you a relative idea of the nutrient level in the soil. If you need instructions on getting a soil sample for testing, contact your local U of I Extension office.

If you are putting in new plantings in an existing lawn, remove sod with a spade. Then use it to patch your lawn, or you can put it in a compost pile to decay. Plow, spade or rototill the soil. Work only when soil moisture conditions are right. To test, pick up a handful of soil and squeeze it. If it stays in a mud ball, it is too wet. If it freely crumbles, it should be about right.

Excessively dry soil is powdery and clumpy and may be difficult to work. If soil sticks to a shovel or, if when spading the turned surface is shiny and smooth, it is too wet. Robson says that working soils when they are excessively wet can destroy soil structure, which may take years to rebuild.

Plowing with a tractor when the soil is wet is especially damaging, causing the formation of a compaction layer that will inhibit root growth. Soils with adequate humus levels generally allow more leeway because of their improved structural qualities.

Just before planting, break up large clods of soil and rake the bed level. Small-seeded vegetables germinate best in smooth, fine-surfaced soil. Do not pulverize the seedbed soil. This destroys the structure and promotes crusting and erosion problems.

The type of equipment used to prepare your garden will depend on the size of the garden, your physical ability, time and budget. Options include hand digging with a spade or shovel, tilling with a power rotary tiller, using a small garden tractor or using a full-sized farm tractor.