How best to include soil in your garden:
In order to incorporate soil in your garden ready for new crops to grow, the area where the soil is going to go should be cleared of any existing vegetation. Then it is best to prepare the soil for the type of plant you wish to host there, for example, ferns love moisture-retaining soil and so it is best for that plant to add more compost or manure.
Adding organic matter is a great way to get nutrients into the soil and it is worth mentioning no-dig composting methods, where instead of digging and tilling compost into the soil, compost is added in layers to promote soil health as the layers decompose, releasing great nutrients into the soil. Tilling soil can often disrupt the natural structure of the soil, meaning fungal mycelial connections are broken down, which can lead to exposing dry parts of the soil which are susceptible to erosion and flooding. No-dig methods retain moisture in the soil better, leading to generally healthier-looking plants with less digging!
The layering process starts by placing wet cardboard or newspaper onto the ground to suppress weeds, acting as a barrier between organic matter and soil. Then your organic material of choice (could be compost, leaves, grass clippings, etc.) are layered on top.
Alternate between ‘brown ‘and ‘green’ materials, brown materials having high carbon content like leaves, and green materials have high nitrogen content for example grass clippings.
You should water the layers as you go, to promote decomposition. Once the layered materials are of a desired height (usually 6-12 inches), add a layer of mulch to retain moisture within the materials below.
When the layers of green and brown composting materials decay, they will leave the soil below rich in nutrients for your plants!
Make sure to have more than enough compost for planting, as often you will have to use more than you think!
Once the soil is laid on the ground, it should be levelled out to ensure a uniform base for planting and should be watered lightly to allow the soil to settle.