"One meant to grow in a better soil than this dead planet."
The better soils have been turned into arable fields.
Gardeners in search of better soil are right up there on the admiration list too.
At other planting sites, outside Jerusalem, in better soil, the survival rate is much higher - close to 95 percent.
A small amount of deciduous trees are also planted, though these require better soils.
On some of the better soil, exceptionally large diameter hardwoods occur.
Next year, I'll grow sturdier plants in better soil, because one more year will have passed without pesticides.
The town's population declined from 1810 to 1820 as farmers moved west for better soil.
Banbeck Vale is described as having better soil than the other valley habitats.
"We have better soil, more water and a longer growing season," he said.