The essential guide to healthy soil

The mix of minerals in soil gives plants and vegetables the nutrients and environment they need to grow. What is needed to boost the benefits from your soil can be found below.

• Organic matter is essential to a successful garden. Organic matter refers to any material derived from living plants or animals. For common gardening that usually refers to manure or compost.
• Before clearing a space for the garden or even sowing the first seeds, examine the soil to determine its structure, drainage qualities and pH level.
• Be wary of Mother Nature. The effects of water, wind, sun and the crops themselves will reduce the fertility of the soil. The soil needs to rejuvenate after harvesting or it will lose its nutrients. Adding organic matter from time to time will maintain nutrients.
• The ideal soil for vegetables is one with a loose, open texture and a crumbly structure that drains easily but also absorbs and holds water and nutrients.
• Ideally, work soil one day after a good rainfall or thorough watering — it should be sufficiently damp,but not waterlogged. Cultivating waterlogged soil will make it sticky and less permeable. If it's too dry it will damage the soil and break it down to dust.

Following these guidelines will maximize your soil's productivity, giving new life to your plants and vegetables.