This SOIL section is several pages long and is extremely important on understanding what effect plants will have on your house, outbuildings, paths, patios and garden wall foundations.

Soil Type (sand, chalk or clay) and whether it is alkaline or acidic (chalky or limefree) soil also affects the choice of plants as well as the choice of how to improve their health and vigour.

Why is Organic matter important to Soil?

Soil formation starts when mineral material from rocks and organic matter from plants and animals are combined together. Rock fragments without organic matter are unable to support plant growth. This combination of mineral and organic matter makes up about 50% of the soil volume: the remaining 50% is pore space, filled with either air or water depending on how wet the soil is.

Rocks like limestone and chalk are composed of prehistoric marine creatures. However, most rocks are composed of the element silicon, which is usually combined with oxygen to form silica and silicates.