I've been working with a copyeditor on a book I'm writing and I'm always surprised at how many things I take for granted everyone knows. "Direct seed as soon as the ground is able to be worked" is one of the statements she called me on. I know I use it fairly often, so let me give you a better idea of what it actually means. Most seed packets will give you some idea of when you can plant the seeds directly in the ground. But weather can be unpredictable and soil often needs a few weeks at the start of the season, to warm up and dry out a bit. Seeds planted in cold, wet soil will simply rot. So here are two ways to tell if your soil is ready to be worked.

I've been working with a copyeditor on a book I'm writing and I'm always surprised at how many things I take for granted everyone knows. "Direct seed as soon as the ground is able to be worked" is one of the statements she called me on. I know I use it fairly often, so let me give you a better idea of what it actually means.
Most seed packets will give you some idea of when you can plant the seeds directly in the ground. But weather can be unpredictable and soil often needs a few weeks at the start of the season, to warm up and dry out a bit. Seeds planted in cold, wet soil will simply rot. So here are two ways to tell if your soil is ready to be worked.

      1. The Shovel Test: The simplest test is whether the soil sticks to your tools. If you put your shovel in
           the ground and it comes up clumped with mud, you'll have to wait.

2. The Crumble Test: A more accurate test is the crumble method. Form a handful of soil into a ball in your hand. If it crumbles apart with a slight touch of your finger, it's time to plant. If it holds together and requires pressure to break apart, it is still too wet. (And if it won't form a ball, you can plant, but you'll need to water.)

This is a good rule of thumb for when you are preparing potting soil for indoor starts too. Water the potting soil to crumble consistency, before you will your pots.
I'm sure many of you have a test you rely on, too. Care to share