Why prepare the ground at least a month before planting?

[djhs196]

Hey there grapes,

A quick question someone may know the answer to:

In a couple of the Dr. Hassayon books such as the Fruit Expert the recommendation is often to prepare the planting site ahead of time and to at leave it "at least a month" before planting the container grown vine / fruit tree.

Why?

I'm assuming that it may aid the soil in settling and perhaps allow a little more integration of the added compost and goodness into the soil, but I'm being impatient - and am waiting to plant something out and keen to get on!!

[rustylady]

Depends on how much "preparation" is needed. Obviously if you have to do a lot of deep digging the soil will need to settle, but I think a month is a bit excessive. If I were you, I would just make sure the site is reasonably firm and plant away.

[bluemoon]

I'd agree with Rustylady, the only thing I wouldn't plant in newly turned soil is brassiacas as they like it firm and no amount of stomping it down afterwards seems to work, and runner beans as turning the soil allows moisture to escape and runners need as much as they can get. I suppose with fruit trees allowing the soil to settle first stops it doing it later and thus exposing the roots, but if this did happen you could always add a bit more earth. The Hessayon books are great, but sometimes are rather old-fashioned and seem to be a bit pedantic in the techniques they suggest, we haven't all got a Victorian walled garden with a staff of 2 dozen.

[BFG]

I'd guess it's to give weed seeds a chance to germinate and be cleared before planting? A fallow period.

[Two_Sheds]

Digging and clearing?
I just dig a hole for the plant I am putting in, I don't clear a whole area at once.
Bare ground just begs for weeds to take hold