Q: I would like to start a vegetable garden in my back yard this spring. What will be the most important first step to this?

A: The most important first step is to make sure your plants will grow in soft, organic soil, not in hard red clay. You can make good soil out of poor soil by placing a layer of “soil conditioner” three inches thick on top of your garden plot and mixing it ten inches deep. Once the soil is prepared, which you can do now by the way, all your vegetables desire is plenty of sun and occasional watering. A daily visit to nip insects and diseases in the bud will insure you have something to eat and enjoy next summer!