To make sure your soil is good for planting, check these important things:

1. Soil Texture: You can use something called the "jar test" to find out how your soil feels. Here's how:

   • Mix some soil with water in a jar.
   • Let it settle for a while.
   • After a bit, you will see layers in the jar. These layers show you the types of soil:
     • Sand: has larger particles (0.05 - 2.0 mm)
     • Silt: has medium-sized particles (0.002 - 0.05 mm)
     • Clay: has very small particles (less than 0.002 mm)

2. pH Levels: The pH level tells us how acidic or basic the soil is. Most plants grow best when the pH is between 6.0 and 7.5. You can find out your soil's pH by using a soil pH test kit.

3. Nutrient Levels: It’s also important to know if your soil has enough nutrients. You can test your soil for this too. About 30% of soils don’t have enough important nutrients, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (often called N-P-K).

By checking these things, you can help your plants grow strong and healthy!