The good news is that there are a few tricks of the trade that can help make your kid's garden a success. This can make everyone happier and make gardening a lot more fun. Test your Soil - Many people get discouraged about gardening because they plant into the poor soil that is unbalanced in pH and mineral content. To get to know your soil have your soil tested through your county extension service. This test will tell you what your soil's pH level is so that you can either grow plants appropriate to your levels or work toward obtaining a more desirable level for what you want to grow.
Different plants have different requirements, but most prefer neutral to slightly acidic soils.
The soil test will also reveal any minerals that are lacking. Some extension services give a computer read-out that will state how much of specific additives should be mixed into the soil to make it fertile. Also, spend the extra money to have your soil tested for lead so that you will know whether you need to take precautions for your family's health. Augment your Soil - You can count on your soil needing more organic matter. Organic matter helps sandy soils to hold more moisture.