But before you start digging in, pause and pay attention to your dirt ... finely chopped leaves (captured in your lawn mower bag) into your garden to improve the soil’s texture.

Evaluate your soil’s texture by wetting a patch and then let it dry for a day. Take a fistful of that dirt and squeeze it ... Get rid of any debris and leaves that might remain from winter ...

With all the conversations I’ve had with gardeners over the years, the state of soil is the least-understood part of the ...