• Know your soil type.Dry soil - ecology problem image by Pavel Bernshtam from Fotolia.com
  
  Soil is the reservoir of nutrition for your plants. It consists of rock fragments, organic matter, mineral particles and water. An easy test identifies which kind of soil is present in your garden and helps you choose suitable plants. According to the BBC's Gardening Guides, the main British soil types are each named after the predominant element.
  
  

Clay Soils

• Southern England is well known for its clay soil. To identify clay soils, take about a tablespoon of dry earth in your hand; add a few drops of water until it becomes slightly sticky. Roll the earth into a long sausage shape. If it easily forms a circle when the two ends are joined, your soil is clay. The presence of cracks identifies the soil as light clay, no cracks indicates heavy clay. Clay soils are high in nutrients, suiting plants such as hollyhocks, moneywort (creeping Jenny), thalictrum and kniphofia moench (red hot pokers). Disadvantages of clay soils include poor drainage; when dry, clay does not absorb water easily, becoming rock-hard and difficult to dig or plant in. When wet, clay becomes water-logged, sticky and heavy to dig. Adding organic material, like compost, improves clay soils.
   
  
  

Sandy Soils

• Sandy soils are common in Wales, East Anglia, The Midlands and southeast and southwest England. Sandy soils will not form any shape other than a loose heap when subjected to the soil test. The gritty feel of sandy soil comes from its origin, the breaking down of rocks like limestone, quartz and shale. This soil drains well and warms up quickly in the spring to permit early planting of bulbs. Sandy soils suit plants like juniper, trumpet vine, Virginia creeper and even grapes. Disadvantages include a tendency to dry out and insufficient organic matter; regular watering and fertilizing is required.
   
  
  

Loamy Soils

• You can find loamy soil in England's Midland and eastern counties. To identify loamy soils, use the soil test; loam will break apart in any attempt to form the sausage shaped sample into a circle. Loam is often described as the perfect gardening soil; it drains well, yet retains sufficient moisture for healthy plants. It's easy to dig and contains abundant organic matter to feed plants. Loamy soils offer gardeners the widest choice of plant selection; almost any plant will grow in it. Loamy soil makes an excellent base for a lawn.
   
  
  

Peaty Soils

• Eastern England's Fendlands are rich in peaty soil. Peaty soils are identified by a dark brown color and a "spongy" texture and are also describe as "acid" soils. Advantages of peat soils include early planting when the weather warms up. Disadvantages like water-logging in spring and dryness in summer are overcome by drainage and the addition of compost. The BBC Gardening Guide recommends plants such as heather, lantern trees, camellias and rhododendrons for gardens with peaty soils.
  
  

Chalky Soils

• England's southern coastal region has chalky soil. Chalky soils are light brown, alkaline in nature and contain large amounts of flint rocks, which are felt by the spade during digging. The soil layer is typically shallow and very quick to drain. Improve this soil by the addition of organic matter like compost and water frequently during dry seasons. Plants suitable for chalky soils include lilacs, weigela, Madonna lilies and pinks.