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

Whether it is vegetable planting, fruit tree planting or grain crop planting, the soil needs to be deep plowed before planting, which is what we often call turning the soil. Why do we do this?

Why do we need to till the soil before planting vegetables?

Because deep plowing of the soil has several good effects, it can improve crop growth efficiency and reduce the occurrence of diseases. Specifically, deep plowing of the soil has the following main effects.

First, deep tillage can loosen the soil.

The soil we are familiar with is thick and hard. Such soil has dense porosity and poor permeability. If sowing and planting are carried out directly, the roots will not be easy to take root and water and fertilizer will not penetrate well.

After deep plowing, the soil becomes loose, which is more conducive to the growth of crops. Not only is it easier for the roots to take root, the soil's ability to retain water and air is also improved, and the soil's aeration is also improved, which is beneficial to the sowing and development of crops.

Secondly, deep tillage can reduce the occurrence of diseases

The most feared thing in vegetable planting is soil-borne diseases. After a year's planting, many pathogens and insect eggs remain deep in the soil. If deep plowing is not done, the pathogens will continue to multiply in the soil, which will inevitably affect the growth of crops in the next year.

Deep plowing can turn up the deep soil, and exposure to sunlight can kill the bacteria and insect eggs in it. Combined with the use of pesticides, root irrigation and other methods, soil-borne diseases can be prevented from occurring the following year.

Third, deep tillage can improve soil fertility

Many people believe that the nutrients for crop growth depend on fertilizers. In fact, the nutrients in the soil also have a great impact on crop growth, and most of the nutrients for crop growth come from the soil.

Deep plowing can bury green manure, crop residues and organic fertilizer applied on the topsoil layer into the lower layer, creating favorable conditions for the survival, reproduction and activity of microorganisms and accelerating the process of soil maturation.

Through the decomposition and transformation of soil microorganisms, the fertilizer efficiency of organic fertilizer will be improved and the soil condition will be improved.

Fourth, deep tillage can restore soil structure.

The soil that has been cultivated for many years has been damaged to a great extent. These soils may become compacted and salinized. Through deep plowing, the upper layer of soil with poor structure can be turned to the lower layer.

These soils are gradually restored in the deep soil layer and are turned to the upper soil layer during deep plowing the following year. This cycle is repeated, which protects the soil and also restores the soil structure.

Therefore, there are many benefits to deep soil plowing, but we must also pay attention to the time and depth of deep plowing.

The best time for deep plowing is generally after the crops are harvested. At this time, the stubble on the ground can be turned into deep soil and become fertilizer after rotting.

The depth of deep plowing should be adapted to local conditions. For example, deep plowing in arid areas should be shallower, while deep plowing in saline-alkali land should be relatively deeper.