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are free or low cost and you can keep adding to it as it breaks down. Pull back the layers after it starts to settle and you will see rich black earth. Full of earthworms and their castings.

I use both methods, since my husband and I are older, the tiller works better for us as it's a lot less labor intensive for us. But I also use the lasagna method to build both new beds and improve old ones as well. I like to use any method that makes the soil healthier and richer. Healthier soil makes for stronger plants that are less susceptible to disease and insect pests.

If you have your own compost use that to side dress your growing plants, it will provide all the additional nutrition your growing plants will need. Or you can make yourself some compost tea to use as a side dressing. Put a large shovel full of compost in either a burlap bag or doubled over cheesecloth into a 5 gallon bucket and fill with water. Allow it to steep, you can use the resultant tea as a side dressing without fear of burning your plants.

For watering issues consider going with plants that our more drought resistant, consider using grey water (such as from your washer rinse water, or your bath) there is normally not enough soap product left in the dilution to do your plants any harm. In fact it has a tendency to discourage insect pests.

Consider adding rain barrels to your downspouts. And old time method that is coming back into play do to the drought conditions in so many parts of the country. It's amazing how many plants you can water from one rain barrel. And rainwater is good for your plants.

For something there are water soluble crystals that are available to add to your soil to help retain moisture. They are non toxic and will not harm your soil nor your plants. A little goes a long way with these, add 1 teaspoon to 5 gallons of water and let it grow. It will fill the 5 gallon bucket in no time. It will certainly help hold the moisture in the soil where your plants can most benefit from the additional moisture.

Also use mulch, it is a wonderful way to help the soil stay cooler and retain moisture, especially in the hottest part of the summer. It also helps to smother out weeds and weed seed, so you have less weeding to do.

Preparing a garden can be such fun, it just takes a little planning, a lot of work, but the results are so good to eat and so good for you. There is tremendous satisfaction that comes from growing it yourself.

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