Sun, soil and moisture requirements can be stated in words, but only the loving care of the good and faithful steward will discover the most favorable conditions for each plant in a particular garden site. Before plants are started in the garden, it is important that the soil have a porous or spongy texture which will retain water and soil solutions, and at the same time drain excess water so that air will be absorbed. The minerals required for plant growth are present naturally in most soils in varying degrees. Soil may be considered as a mixture of clay, sand and plant residues. Clay gives the soil body or retentiveness.
Sand provides looseness and drainage.
Plant residues provide sponginess, porosity and lightness - as well as sustenance for soil fungae, algae. Most plants do well in common garden soil, but they frequently have preferences for heavy, light, sandy or rich soils. They may also have preferences for moist or dry soils. Soil is conveniently enriched and made porous by mixing decomposed leaves, grass clippings and plant cuttings into it. By spring fungae, algae and bacteria will have decomposed them into rich, black leaf mold or compost which can be spread on top of the soil and dug into it with spade or fork.