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Complete Soil Prep for Vegetable Gardens & Fruit Trees

1. Amend heavily: till in compost, shredded leaves, grass clippings, peat, humus, aged manure. Bagged mixes work. Boosts microbes, balances pH, improves tilth.

2. Test pH: target 7.0. Acidic? Add lime. Alkaline? Add sulfur. High organic matter rarely needs adjustment.

3. Mulch: straw, shredded leaves, bark. Conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, stabilizes temp.

4. Read: "Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew—bible for all facets.

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