Gardening Methods

How do I prepare my soil for garden? (southern Indiana)?

I’m thinking about starting a garden in my backyard. (tomatoes, beans, peppers, squash, maybe corn) I live in Southern Indiana where the soil is mostly clay. What do I need to mix in w/ my soil to start a good base for planting? Also, what would be a good fertilizer to use? Thanks
Also, i have some old sandbags that are falling apart. Could I mix in the sand from them w/ my soil?

A little sand is ok for the soil, especially if you are growing carrots or strawberries. What clay soil needs most is more organic material, like compost and peat moss. The more the better. Mix it in as well as you can with a shovel – a tiller is easiest. For a fertilizer, a slow release type is the best. That is the kind with little pellets that provides you with nutrients for a good long time and doesn’t overdo the nitrogen. Add it around the plants when you put them in the ground.

Wicked Garden–STP–08/16/08