It's a simple equation: If you want to grow better plants, you first need to understand the soil. "The texture of a soil ... they're just rocks." Many Willamette Valley gardeners, though, must ...

Understanding the texture of your garden soil is crucial ... Instructions: Fill a clear glass jar about halfway with the soil, removing any rocks or roots. Add water to the jar, leaving some ...

Really, soil is half empty space, which is what distinguishes it from rock ... including a rich surface layer and then all these other layers of different colors and textures.

The bulk of soil is made up of a mixture of organic matter, rock and mineral particles ... this is brown and crumbly in texture and similar to that found on well-worked allotments.