Please feel free to add the secrets that make your garden grow.

- This is a work in progress -

Many say that it all comes down to the soil, though while ample sun and water are important too, the quality of your soil will make or break your garden.

Soil

Soil it made up of 3 key components:

1. Organic Matter
2. Minerals
3. Structure

Organic Matter

Decaying plants

Plants that are decaying or rotting are the future food of the plants you are growing and form a cornerstone of organic farming. Organic matter also comes in the form of manure, which is also made up of grains, grasses. Plant fibers break down more slowly and help to lead to good structure.

Compost

Compost is a great way to add mostly broken-down organic matter to your soil. It's easy to make compost, provided you aren't in a hurry. Simply make a pile of organic matter, mixing in slightly more "browns" or dry, leafy matter, than "greens", such as cut grass or weeds, and letting it lie for 6 months to a year. The compost is ready when it is brown and crumbly, like good soil. There are a few more tips you might want to know:

• You can make it go faster by turning the compost once a week.
• To avoid attracting animals, you should leave out any dairy or meat scraps.
• To avoid spreading weeds, do not add weeds that spread by roots or that have gone to seed.

Minerals

Rocks, sand, silt & clay

Minerals provide needed nutrients, affect soil acidity, and provide micro-nutrients needed for optimum plant growth. Minerals also help control drainage.

Structure

Spaces for air and water

Plant roots and microbes that work to break-down organic matter need oxygen and spaces in soil allow for water to draw air into the soil as it makes its way down. Soil need not be light and fluffy to have good structure, many other factors are involved such as the balance of organic matter and minerals in the soil, roots, insects too.