During the dry summer season, soils well-supplied with organic matter are more likely to support better plant growth.
Organic matter is an essential fraction of any good quality soil.
Gardeners need to realize that organic matter is not a permanent part of any soil. Like all forms of matter composed of carbon and oxygen, it eventually returns to the environment as carbon dioxide and water as a result of decay in the soil. This continual decay of organic matter within the soil requires us replace it on a regular basis if we want to keep good soil. Most gardeners can produce much of the organic matter their garden soils need by composting. A compost pile does not take much space.