"As soon as the soil can be worked..."

Here is a helpful pointer I found in a book by some Pittsburgh horticulturers, Grow Organic, by Doug Oster and Jessica Walliser.

"Plant as soon as the soil can be worked" -- a frustrating statement for beginners who wonder exactly when that is. There is a simple test to determine if the soil is ready. Take a shovel out to the garden and turn it over in a couple of spots. If the soil sticks to the shovel, forget it and try again in a few days.