Learn to read and learn

[ducks4you]

I keep learning how to use my tools better. I won't throw my tiller out, but I use it SPARINGLY when I work on a bed, just to break up the clods.
I also use more and more and more compost and thank my horses and chickens for their contributions!
Finally, I figured out that the north half of my "inner sanctum" burnpile is the BEST place for a compost pile.

 

[Jared77]

I use them as guidelines more than absolutes. Sure you may get more production if it was elsewhere but the real question is "are you happy with how it's doing? Is it doing ok?"

I amended the soil 2x for rhododendrons one for each plant, plus two transplants. Dug & tilled in amendments to prepare them for the move. The soil want bad but figured I'd make it perfect so they'd transition well. They NEVER did very well. Supposed to do great in the area they were planted. Guess they didn't read the book either.

So I don't always take the guidelines as gospel unless it's the hardiness zones those I tend to follow pretty strictly since I hate to lose something that is well documented for not tolerating winter.

 

[hoodat]

No matter how many books you read, at the end of the day you have to work with what you have. Too much sun here, not enough there, ground won't drain or dries out too fast etc. I just pile in as much organic matter as I can round up (thank you bunnies) and sort of let Mother Nature do her thing. Sometimes I lose but most times I win and end up with veggies on the table and in the canning jars. The leaves on my greens may have a hole or two where a catterpillar or snail did a taste test but they leave plenty for me.