Question
I live in zone 5 ( upstate NY ), and I would like to improve my property with plantings.  Basically, what are the first steps to get the soil ready, and when should I get started ?  If  I get the soil ready and then don't get around to planting, will that work go too waste or will the soil be ready for the future ?

Answer
Hi Neil,
Thanx for your question.  The first thing I would do is take 10 soil samples from various points in my yard and take the samples to my county extension agent for analysis.  S/he will be able to tell you exactly what amendments if any you need to make.  You may not want to improve the whole yard just beds where you want to plant flowers, trees or shrubs.  I wouldn't think you would have to do a whole lot though.  You need to look at what kind of plantings you want to make and then amend the planting location accordingly.  You can often dig holes for shrubs and trees and amend these holes with some manure a little bit of sand for drainage and some compost and this will help out a lot even if you have a lot of clay in your yard.  Keep amending every year by doing side dressings of cured manure and/or fertilizer.  If you prepare and then don't do anything is it a waste?  Not necessarily.  If it's just one season it's probably okay but you might still want to add just a little bit of manure or fertilizer here and there as some of the nutrients will leach through the soil due to rain.  I hope this helps.
Tom