How to Prepare the Soil

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Of all garden tasks, soil preparation is probably the most important. This includes adding vital nutrients and humus, in the form of compost and manures, to the soil to replace that used up the previous year.
Well rotted compost adds nutrients and texture to the soil. It can be incorporated as the soil is being dug. Dig out one spade full of earth and place some compost in the trench that has been formed. Dig out the next spade full, placing it on top of the compost. Put more compost in the new trench and continue until the whole plot has been dug.
Rotating crops helps to get the best from the soil and keeps down pests and diseases. A rough sketch is essential so that space is provided for all the crops that you want to grow.
Cover crops are planted in idle gardens to protect them from soil erosion. Most often they are green manure crops that are turned into the soil just before the gardening season begins again.
Some crops serve more than one purpose. Buckwheat, for example, is often used as a green manure, but it also attracts garden hoverflies, which feed on aphids and black flies, and thus helps to keep the populations of these pests under control.
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Any organic, non-animal waste from the kitchen, particularly peelings and cores, can be used on the compost heap.
Even old tea bags can be used. Beware of including animal waste, in particular meat, as this may attract rats and other vermin.
Compost is one of the most valuable garden soil conditioners - and it is free. Any material from the garden that will decompose can be used. The addition of some farmyard manure will help speed up the process and will add to its value. If possible have more than one bin, as it is a good idea to be adding material to one while taking the finished compost from the other.