Question
Hi
My garden has kind of a clay-sand mix on top, with a sand only base about 2 feet down.   The soil on top develops a crust over the summer, I am guessing due to Calcium carbonate in the water transporting to the surface with evaportion(?).   I have been adding organic material (all the fall leaves from the 3 big trees on the lot; an Oak, a Birch, and a Linden, plus all the garden waste) to the soil for 6 years now, but the character of the soil doesn't seem to improve at all.  All the organic material seems to just dissappear without a trace.   The soil is quite poor, and will not grow root vegtables at all.   What can I do??

Thanks!
Stuart C.
Lawrence ave, Toronto, Ontario.

Answer
Hi Stuart, You are right, organic matter does "disappear".  Just like a farmer, you'll need to till and loosen every year.  Continue to add the organic matter and use a little coarser material with it like finely chopped pine bark. You can get it in bulk from most soil suppliers or in bags at most garden centers.  Don't over improve it either. An inch or two of organic stuff tilled into the top 6-8 inches of soil is enough.  Check your pH.  Make sure it stays around 6.5 to 7.  Some soils are just not conducive to gardening unless they are improved regularly which includes adding organic matter and a well balanced fertilizer with micro-nutrients.  
I'd like to see you add some humates to the soil.  Your local garden center should have some either in a liquid or a granular product and apply it 3-4 times per year.  It doesn't work fast, so be patient. Over the next couple of years, I think you'll see significant soil improvement.
Lastly, I'd drop by a bait shop occasionally and pick up a few boxes of red wigglers (worms) and throw them in the garden.  Jim