Building Healthy Soil
Almost every soil problem improves with organic matter. Compost, well-rotted manure, and leaf mould feed soil life, improve structure, and buffer both drainage and water retention. Add a two to three inch layer over beds each year and let worms and microbes work it in, or fork it lightly into the top few inches. Avoid walking on wet beds, which compacts them, and keep the surface covered with mulch or a cover crop so bare soil is not exposed to rain and sun.