As we get ready to transfer our seeds to the garden—once we’re sure the last freeze has passed—we begin thinking about what the soil truly needs to be healthy and able to nurture our plants. Recently, we’ve been researching different approaches and have come across some interesting ideas, including no-till gardening.
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The idea behind no-till is simple: instead of constantly disrupting the soil, we allow it to build structure, retain nutrients, and support life as it was designed to. When we work with the soil rather than against it, it becomes stronger and more productive over time.
It’s amazing how much this mirrors our spiritual lives.
❤️ Preparing Our Hearts
In much the same way soil needs preparation, so do our hearts and minds. If we’re not open to what God is showing us, it becomes harder to receive it.
Jesus speaks directly to this in the Parable of the Sower:
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
— Matthew 13:23
Good soil doesn’t happen by accident. It’s cultivated. The same is true for us.
I know this is something I struggle with—do you?
⏰ Making Time for God
For a long time, I didn’t think much about having quiet time with God. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how much I want that time—but figuring out when is still a challenge.
In my mind, it should happen in the morning before the kids wake up. But reality looks different. I don’t always get up early enough. I choose my workout, and then the day takes off—getting everyone ready, heading to work and school, and checking off all the responsibilities.
By the time evening comes, I’m exhausted. The motivation is gone.
And yet, I’m reminded:
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10
Stillness doesn’t just happen—we have to choose it.
🌿 Trusting God’s Design
God created the earth in such a way that it can take care of itself. When we allow things to function as they were designed, there is beauty and balance in it.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
— Psalm 24:1
God knew exactly what He was doing when He created everything. It was perfect. Then the fall came, and sin entered the world. Since then, some of our actions have had negative effects—both on the earth and in our lives.
Sometimes we try to fix things with man-made solutions when God has already provided what we need.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:19
We are called to trust Him and be patient.
🌾 Spiritual Growth Takes Time
Growth—whether in a garden or in our faith—doesn’t happen overnight.
Much like working out, I know that if I would just begin and stay consistent, I would start to see change little by little.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9
The harvest comes, but only after time, care, and consistency.
🛠️ Practical Ways to Prepare Your Heart
Just like preparing soil takes intentional steps, so does preparing our hearts and minds. Here are a few simple, realistic ways to start:
1. Start Small
You don’t need an hour. Start with 5–10 minutes. When starting something new, like a quiet time, start small. Maybe you just want to read more in your Bible or start a new study. It’s hard to just start right off spending a large amount of time. Just like exercising, you can’t jump into running 10 miles one day. You have to train and build your muscles and work up to that. Same with starting a new habit, work up to reading the Bible, quiet time, or spending time in prayer.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” — Luke 16:10
2. Attach It to a Habit
Pair time with God with something you already do—morning coffee, after your workout, or before bed. This can make it not seem like an extra thing but more of an addition. It’s sometimes it’s easier to start something new when you already have it instilled.
3. Create a Quiet Space
Find a place where you can limit distractions, even if it’s just a chair or a corner of a room. This is one I find more challenging with three kids running around. I know that sometimes you just have to model what you want your kids to see, but finding time to sit quietly while everyone is still up is one of the most challenging parts of the day. Once the kids are in bed, I often feel done for the day and don’t want to have to think deeply. I’m sure that will change as the kids continue to get older and don’t need as much help getting ready for bed, or we can all have reading time together.
4. Use Scripture as Your Starting Point
Even one verse can guide your time. This is a great way to start the process. I love using Bible apps on my phone to start the day with a verse that I can see every time I open my phone.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
5. Let Go of Perfection
It doesn’t have to look a certain way. Just show up. I also know that this can be a challenge; sometimes it’s hard to just let go of what you think the perfect time should look like and just go for it.
6. Listen as Much as You Speak
Prayer isn’t just talking—it’s also being still and allowing God to speak to your heart. Stilling and being quiet in our busy world is one of the hardest things. We have everything at our fingertips, and it is so easy to get sucked into all the unimportant parts of life and forget what should be our real focus. God.
🌼 Final Thoughts, before moving on to some practical gardening tips
We need to prepare the soil—and our hearts and minds—in the same way. Not by forcing growth, but by creating the right conditions for it.
Sometimes that means stepping back, being still, and trusting the process.
Listening. Watching. Being open.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
— James 4:8
What might happen if we simply made space—and allowed God to do what only He can do?
🌱 Practical Tips for Preparing Garden Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. There isn’t just one “right” way to prepare it—different methods work for different spaces, goals, and preferences. Here are several approaches to consider:
1. No-Till Gardening
Instead of turning or breaking up the soil, you layer organic matter (like compost, leaves, or straw) on top and let it naturally break down.
- Protects soil structure and beneficial organisms
- Helps retain moisture
- Reduces weeds over time
Best for: Long-term soil health and low-maintenance gardening
We are slowly switching to this method after learning that no-tilling might help our garden produce better. For one, it’s not disrupting all the nutrients that are already in the soil, and two it keeps the soil from drying out when you move things around.
2. Traditional Tilling
This involves turning the soil with a shovel, hoe, or tiller to loosen it before planting.
- Helps break up compacted soil
- Mixes in compost or nutrients quickly
- Gives a “fresh start” for planting
Downside: Can disrupt soil life if overdone
Best for: New garden beds or heavily compacted soil
This will be our third year planting a garden at this home, and where we planted was originally farmed for corn and beans. It was good for us to till where we wanted the garden to be and to break up the soil so we could add in nutrients that have been depleted and also give our plants the best chance to spread their roots.
3. Adding Compost
Compost is one of the best ways to improve soil health, no matter your method.
- Adds nutrients naturally
- Improves drainage in clay soil
- Helps sandy soil retain moisture
Tip: Even a thin layer each season makes a big difference over time.
This is something we did last year by adding horse manure to the garden. It was a simple, easy task. I’m hoping one day to start a compost pile that we can then use in our garden, but one step at a time.
4. Mulching
Covering the soil with organic material like straw, wood chips, or grass clippings.
- Retains moisture
- Regulates soil temperature
- Suppresses weeds
- Slowly feeds the soil as it breaks down
Best for: Almost every type of garden
We often use our grass clippings as well as friends to help cover the garden to help keep moisture in. This year, we have talked about using cardboard boxes in addition to the grass and manure this year.
5. Raised Beds
Using framed beds filled with a mix of soil and compost.
- Better control over soil quality
- Improved drainage
- Warms up faster in spring
Best for: Small spaces, poor native soil, or easier maintenance
We tried a raised bed with some of our potatoes last year. I’m not sure if we will do that again or if we will try something else in the raised bed this year. We are hoping to place our strawberries in some kind of raised beds or hanging baskets.
6. Cover Crops (Green Manure)
Planting crops like clover or rye in the off-season, then cutting them down and leaving them to decompose.
- Prevents erosion
- Adds nutrients back into the soil
- Improves soil structure
Best for: Gardeners planning ahead between seasons
We have not tried this yet, but have also considered this for after this coming garden season. We have learned so much more about how to naturally help the soil in the garden this last year.
7. Soil Testing
Understanding what your soil actually needs before adding anything.
- Helps balance pH levels
- Prevents over-fertilizing
- Guides what amendments to add
Tip: Many local extension offices offer affordable testing kits.
We have bought a kit but haven’t not yet completed it.
8. Let Nature Help
Encourage earthworms and microorganisms—they do a lot of the work for you.
- Avoid overworking the soil
- Add organic matter regularly
- Limit harsh chemicals
Healthy soil is alive—and that’s a good thing.
We are hoping to create hugelkultur effect, which is using parts of nature to help with retaining water and nutrients naturally.
🌿 A Simple Reminder
Just like in our spiritual lives, soil doesn’t need to be forced—it needs to be supported. Whether you choose to till, layer, build, or simply let things grow, the goal is the same: creating an environment where life can thrive.