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Spring and fall are good times to amend and till your soil to get it ready to plant crops, plants, trees, and bulbs. But tilling at the wrong time can be bad news for your soil.
If the soil is worked when it is too wet or too dry, the soil structure can be destroyed. Always check soil moisture content BEFORE you work the soil.
This can done by performing a rough moisture test by picking up a handful of soil and squeezing it.
 | Too Dry
If the soil crumbles apart when you open your fingers, it's too dry |
 | Just Right
If the soil holds together without packing densely, it's just right. It means the soil is slightly moist, and forms a weak ball with rough surfaces, no water staining on fingers, and a few soil grains break away |
 | Too Wet
Wet, forms a ball with well-defined finger marks, light to heavy soil/water coating on fingers, ribbons between thumb and forefinger. |
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Way Too Wet
Wet, forms a soft ball, free water appears briefly on soil surface after squeezing or shaking, medium to heavy soil/water coating on fingers. |
Once you have established the proper moisture level, now you can till, and the soil will be perfect for you.
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