to Growing Organic Food ); "Don't be fooled... Your own soil is good, It is the best soil that you can ever get. Work that soil up with compost, manures, gypsum etc and it will be perfect. So many people said their soil is no good.... Never ever let any of your soil leave your property. Is is pure gold." It was this advice that made me persevere with my sandy sandy soil and now -- after many tonnes of cow and sheep manure -- I have beautiful soil to plant in. It is amazing how excited one can be from dirt when you pour the amount of love into it that we have. Soil Acidity Knowing your soil acidity is really important! It sounds like you need a science degree to do this but you do not. Go to your local gardening/home improvements store and get a tester (they range from $10 -- $30). Here's some great information about what to do once you know your soil acidity level. I live coastally so I have very sandy soil which calls for lots of manure and compost to be added. Here is where I would suggest also talking to a local nursery and asking what type of manure you need. I was offered a few free trailer loads of horse manure which I was a few seconds away from snapping up. After a quick chat to my new best friend at the nursery he told me that horse manure would