Frost Dates/ Preparing the Soil/ Garden timing

This is my personal plan for the garden with tips gathered over the years.

1. Generally in Vancouver it seems to be April 1 is safe for last and November 1 for 1st.
2. Add compost- 5cm spread on top or 19 litres per 100 sq feet (steer manure). Make sure manure is composted (cured). If steer etc manure make sure you let it dry. Easier to apply. Put some in compost bin. And sprinkle rest on garden or dig in where no planting yet. Don't put with existing food plants to be extra careful. Watch out that steer manure will likely add to salt levels. If you don't know how cured it is then apply only to food plants where you still have min 60 days to harvest. Perhaps avoid early spring plants like salads, carrots, radishes etc.
3. Save some manure, mix with water to add to plants indoors and out. (lost source)Manure Tea:
   Manure tea can be used for periodic feedings as a fertilizer or very diluted and used every time you water. Do not allow undiluted manure tea to come into direct contact with foliage. To make manure tea, simply place a shovel or two of manure in a large container (5 gallon bucket) filled with water, and after a week or so, strain out the manure. To make the straining process a little easier, you can tie the manure in a burlap bag before placing it in the water (like a giant tea bag).
4. Cover soil 2 weeks before you want to start planting.
5. Sew seeds indoors for late May transplant of peppers, tomatoes and eggplant.
6. April- plant thyme, peppermint, oregano, rosemary, parsley
7. Early May indoor seedlings of basil, chiles, cucumber, zucchinis, melons, squash.
8. May- plant basil, corn (seed), cucumber
9. June- plant edamame seed, squash, tomato, zucchini