Why do we need to turn and dry the soil before planting vegetables (is it better to turn and loosen the soil when planting vegetables when it is wet or dry)

Why do we need to turn over and dry the soil before planting vegetables?

The turned soil is soft and breathable, so rainwater can be easily retained in the soil and air can also enter the soil.

At the same time, when turning the soil, it can also kill some insects hidden in the soil , so that the seeds sown in it can easily germinate and grow. Here are some of its specific values:

1. Increase soil permeability

The air permeability of soil depends on the amount of granular material in the soil structure.

The more granular matter there is in the soil, the larger the gaps in the soil, the looser the soil, the stronger the soil permeability, and the better the extension of plant roots, which is conducive to the absorption and utilization of nutrients by plant roots.

2. Eliminate harmful components in the soil

Due to the long-term continuous cultivation of vegetables in vegetable fields, a large amount of chemical fertilizers and various pesticides have been applied to the soil of the vegetable fields, and the roots of plants left in the soil, the plant roots will rot under the action of microorganisms and produce harmful gases.

If these fertilizers, pesticides and harmful gases are not dissipated and eliminated in time, they will harm subsequent crops. Therefore, tillage is used to eliminate the harmful substances stored in the soil.

3. It is conducive to fertilization, burial, tillage and soil turning

You can also take the opportunity to bury residues and dead leaves on the soil surface and apply farmyard manure to the soil, which can effectively increase soil organic matter, reduce weeds and seeds on the soil surface, enhance soil fertility, and improve soil circulation structure.

4. Eliminate pests and diseases in the soil

When vegetable gardens are densely utilized, various soil-borne viruses and pest eggs are also widely present in the soil.

In order to reduce diseases and insect pests, tillage can effectively reduce the occurrence of diseases and insect pests, especially winter tillage, which can turn out the pupae and eggs of pests parasitic in the soil and freeze them to death, reducing the occurrence of diseases and insect pests in spring.

5. Change soil moisture

Plants like to grow in a moist environment, but if the soil is too dry or too wet, it is not conducive to crop growth. Therefore, the way to change the compaction and looseness of the soil is to use soil tillage to make up for the deficiency.

Is it better to turn the soil before planting vegetables wet or dry?

There is no exact rule or statement on whether to water the vegetable field first or to plow the soil first . It can only be determined based on the actual situation at the time.

The temperature is too high in autumn and the soil is seriously lacking in water. Direct-seeded vegetables must be watered first. After three to five days, the soil can be turned over and cultivated carefully to plant the vegetables.

If you are growing vegetable seedlings, you must first turn the soil over carefully, adjust the drainage ditches and plant the seedlings. After the seedlings are completely planted, just water them thoroughly.