As a kid my father showed and proved to me, soil preparation is an easy an inexpensive way to ensure a good healthy yield. simply follow any of these 4 steps :

1. If you have a water butt,simply add veg peelings/offcuts, to the water. this will rot within 4weeks. you can then use the rotten matter as you dig in, then the water can be used as a liquid cmpost for feeding crops. but beware of smell..

2. When youre digging in, use polystirne beans, like those from a bean bag,( £5-£7). this provides air , and is a good water retainer, thus ensuring good root feeding. this is bio degradable, ( over 8-12 months)

3. As above, if you use VERMICULITE, (used for reptiles, £10 for 5kg, from pet shops). this is high in calcium, being a very good feed for roots and crops, its a very good water retainer and will rot in 11-14 months.

4. Simply follow above, but this time add CAT LITTER, (£2.50 for 1kg) thisis areally good water retainer and also rots around 8- 10 months.

When harvesting crops, add offcuts to your water butts and use for next season.
please give this a go guys, the onlyquestion you will ask yourselves is.. why didnt you try them before?
this also worked for my mother in laws damson trees and gooseberry bushes.