Proper soil conditions are equally important to the health and vigor of plants. Most plants prefer a loam soil with good water drainage. Avoid low-lying areas where water collects, since damp conditions promote root rot. You can improve any soil by adding organic matter such as compost or peat moss. This is especially true of sandy and clay soils.
Organic matter helps sandy soils hold water and nutrients.
It provides clay soils with more air spaces so that roots can breathe more easily. Some plants, such as blueberries, prefer an acid soil, but generally a pH of 6 to 7 is ideal for most plants. A soil test kit purchased from a garden center will help determine soil acidity. More detailed soil analyses to determine fertilizer requirements also are helpful. A list of soil testing laboratories is available at your local Extension office.