What influences whether you will have success or not, will be the soil, and location for the plants. Good soil is vital for healthy growth. If it contains too much clay or sand, or is overly acid or alkaline, plants will not grow properly. Most soils contain balanced amounts of clay, silt and sand, as well as organic materials such as decomposed vegetation. Clay soils are difficult to work, retaining masses of water in winter yet becoming bone-dry and hard during summer.
Clay soils are less likely than sandy ones to be short of nutrients.
Clay soils can be improved, but it takes several years. Calcium compounds help to make small clay particles cling together and form small lumps, thereby improving aeration and drainage. Liming is the easiest way to add calcium, but do not do this if the soil is already alkaline. To improve a small area quickly, add sand and gravel to physically open up the soil. Sandy soils are much easier to work than clay types, but they have drawbacks and, unless plants are chosen carefully, gardening in dry, sandy soil can be a real struggle.