First download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader , if you don't already have it. Growing a garden is a challenge in many urban and rural areas because of soil conditions. Cities and towns are not always built on soils with desirable agricultural characteristics, and many soils in urban areas have been modified adversely by home construction.
Vegetable gardening is difficult at best.
Gardeners soon are discouraged by the difficulty of preparing an adequate seedbed because the soil dries so slowly in the spring. If the planting finally is made, crusting, clods, and collapse of plants during the summer prevent the bountiful harvest promised by seed catalogs. For centuries, crops in many parts of the world have been produced on modified soils in elevated growing areas between walkways. Soil modification may be achieved by incorporating organic matter. Substantial quantities are required, so the organic matter should be readily available and relatively inexpensive.