There are many things berry plants grown in soil need to thrive: 🍓 Fertility and organic matter - High availability of micro- and macro-nutrients. 🍓 Appropriate pH level - Most horticulture crops do well in soil of neutral pH but some, like tomatoes and blueberries, prefer slightly acidic soil. 🍓 Healthy biological communities - Invertebrates and microbes need to thrive over time with as little disturbance as possible in conditions that favor their growth. 🍓 Good soil structure - Plants need good soil structure to develop healthy roots and to take up nutrients and water. 🍓 Good water infiltration - Water is needed for plant transpiration/photosynthesis; nutrients in water fuel growth; oxygen in the water also supports faster rates of uptake by root cells of nutrients and water. 🍓 Optimal water holding capacity - Soils with a good amount of loam provide excellent water holding capacity for plants to take up water without getting waterlogged, which could lead to root die off....