ScarletRose: Our garden is mostly clay soil which we really have to add to.I planted beets one year all i got was the greens which i learned to love.Now we add topsoil,peatmoss,and manure every year.Water we just keep our water hose handy.Ever use a compost tea? Works great just put the compost in a pail of water and it will be black.Use just the water.I add the compost in the late fall to the garden.