how to improve garden soil quality

the soil in the garden is quite dusty. the previous owner of the house never touched the garden really and there were quite a few tree's which have taken any goodness out the soil. how can i improve it?

 

Your soil needs some body...some food essentially. Bags of compost mixed in now will give it that, it will also help to retain some moisture too. Well rotted manure will also help if you can get hold of it too. Longer term, start a compost heap now then later that can be added to your soil also. In Autumn I collect bin bags full of leaves, wet them, poke the bags a few times with a garden fork and stack away behind the shed...I add these to my soil after two years.

You can ask neighbours for their grass cuttings if they normally throw them away, to add to your compost heap, but add some scrunched up newspaper or cardboard as too many grass cuttings on their own will go slimey. Also add vegatable peelings, tea bags from the kitchen but not cooked food as that attracts rats.

Steve...