Soil is the most important component for  healthy plants and produce. Amending garden soil is necessary for growing good plant and harvesting better fruits and vegetables. It is very necessary to regenerate the soil after every harvest.

The best way to treat any soil is to add organic matter like garden compost, leaves, vermicompost, manure etc. to it. Organic matter loosens up the soil thereby improving drainage and aeration, it also provides rich nutrients and helps retain moisture. Organic matter already contains bacteria, fungus and earthworms which are highly beneficial for plant growth. Organic matter is food for the soil microbes hence it helps them thrive and increases the fertility, immunity and structure of soil.

The best way to add organic matter to your soil is to evenly spread a ten to twelve inches thick generous layer of any organic matter on your soil. Once its spread properly simply fork it and let it settle. Earthworms will naturally occur within days and start doing their work, these earthworms will eat the organic matter and cast their manure which we commonly know as vermicast. The vermicast which is rich in nutrients will help the plants and keep improving the soil quality.

If your garden bed is already occupied with plants then mulching would be a better option. Three to four inches mulch is to be spread on the soil in between plants. The worms and bacteria already present there will break down the mulch even better and improve the soil below for the next planting. Mulching helps in increasing fertility and improving the soil structure even when the crops are standing. It helps aid plant growth, improve harvest and saves the damage to roots in the most natural ways. Mulch helps retain water, prevent weeds thereby making plants weather resistant and reduces efforts.

A healthy soil ecosystem is essential for better growth of plants hence it is necessary to keep the soil ecosystem undisturbed by following the no-till or no-till method. Use of raised garden beds works well for no-till method as all work is done from the sides even without stepping on the soil. This keeps the soil fluffier and aerated, lesser the lumps or compactness better the soil. No-till method is easy to practice, you can start by clearing the weeds and covering the ground with wet cardboard followed by a six inches thick layer of any organic matter. The plants can be introduced to this bed within a couple of days, during these couple of days the soil should be watered and left to settle. No-till method gardening will flourish as we keep adding organic mulch as the plant grows.

The mulched soil should be covered during winter days in cold region hence it weeding may be avoided during harsh winters. A cover crop may be planted to get maximum output and help keep weeds away. If the crop is late weeds may be left to grow as stated as this will cover the ground. Once the winter finishes the weeds should be immediately removed before they gain ground and spread.

Use of certain plants like comfrey is extremely beneficial for your garden. Comfrey being a leafy plant bears many leaves which are rich in nutrients; the leaves can be simply spread on the soil besides plants or can be diluted in water to make liquid fertilizer. Comfrey can be planted besides the compost heap as its roots are long which can gain nutrition from well below.

Before any planting season it is important to charge your soil with good organic matter as that is the first feeding which helps in achieving better plants and rich harvest. If you know any other way of improving the soil quality naturally do share with us below.