A. Gardeners are always anxious to get outside and start working the soil after winter, but it's not a good idea to start too early. Garden soil should be dry enough to work. The timing depends on where you are located, how quickly it drains and how much moisture was in it when it thawed. A good method for testing it is to pick up a handful of soil and squeeze it in your hand. If it stays in a ball, it's still too wet to dig. If it crumbles apart the soil has dried sufficiently and you can begin your labours!