Think chocolate cake. A handful of good soil will look like a handful of chocolate cake: dark and rich, holding together but a little crumbly at the edges. Space for whipped cream to soak in (in the case of cake) or air and water, in the case of soil. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy says it's the aggregates that keep the texture right. She explains what aggregates are and how they work. She has tips on how protect and encourage them. [full story]