Start with a soil test, and determine ph, organic matter, P, K etc.
As others have said, increasing organic matter is important. SOme would suggest "cover crop", but crops that produce a lot of organic matter are best- such as clover, alfalfa, and even corn. If it were a multiple year deal, clover or alfalfa would probably be best... and harvesting only a little, or none.
And forget the plowing it under part. No-till will help regain organic matter faster than with any tillage, which only helps eliminate organic matter. It will also allow soil microorganisms and worms to flourish. Tillage only kills this part.
Most of the good of a cover crop is the root system... we think of what's on top as the important part, but it's what going on under ground that counts.
An example: in 2012, we began renting a really beaten down piece of ground... ph low, fertility low, organic matter around 2.0, some below.
Fall 2014, after 3 years of no-till, corn wheat and beans, and a red clover cover, and some cow manure, OM is now at 2.7-2.8.
Not bad for 3 seasons with a big drought in there.
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