Soil

From horticultural sand to sphagnum moss, learn about some of the basic ingredients that you can buy or create to make your own mixes.

This article describes and explains the chemical components of synthetic fertilizer and the meaning of those three numbers on the bags and bottles. Also included is a list of organic sources of fertilizer for each of the components.

Learn how to make your own cactus and succulent potting mix using three simple ingredients—soil, grit, and horticultural sand.

What's the difference between regular potting soil and soil made for growing cacti and succulents? Does it even matter? Learn how to get the best results for all your plants, starting with soil!

Magnesium sulfate, also known as Epsom salt, will improve plant vigor, productivity, and the quality of fruits and vegetables in soils with magnesium deficiency.

Disposing of potting soil takes a little more effort than one would think. Learn different ways to get rid of large amounts of old potting soil in your home or business premises.

Healthier soil and less labor—what is there not to love about no-tilling gardening? Read on to learn some tips and tricks for this marvelous method of gardening.

You can make your garden better by understanding soil. Some soil types can absorb and hold moisture like rich chocolate cake, while others resist water like the surface of a saltine cracker. Why does this happen? What difference does it make? It all begins with learning the basics of soil texture.

For many vegetable gardeners, it's tradition to till or turn over the soil to prepare garden beds for planting. There are also newer, alternative methods for creating healthy soil for vegetable plants. Decide which works best for you!

A successful garden starts with having healthy soil. Since not not just any dirt will help your plants grow plants well, take some time to learn about your soil's current qualities, and what you can do to improve the soil for the plants in your garden.

Get your flower and vegetable garden off to a beneficial start with natural soil amendments. Keep your soil healthy, and you’ll create a productive and quality bumper crop.

Good soil is the foundation of a successful garden. If you want healthy plants, you need to know your soil and how to prepare it for planting flowers, shrubs, and trees.

This article will provide you with the knowledge to test, examine, and amend different types of soil for your garden type, including loam, clay, and sandy soil foundations.

Understanding the type of soil you have will allow you to be a more successful gardener. But how does one get to know more about their soil? By conducting a soil pH test, of course!

If you don't know which type of soil you have, you won't know which types of flowers, shrubs, and trees you'll be able to grow successfully. This article will review the different soil types, show you how to determine which type you have, and show how to improve your soil.

Trying to plant and grow a vegetable garden? Not sure how to prepare the soil? Knowing the characteristics of your soil is something many novice gardeners fail to do before planting. Read about pH levels, N-P-K levels, and mulching.

Before you go out and spend money on fertilizer that you may or may not need, call your local extension office and request a soil test kit to determine the pH and nutrients in your soil.

Each year, you should amend the soil in your raised garden bed to keep it fresh and to avoid soil compaction. Don't know how to start or what to add to your raised bed soil? Here is a very simple way to do it.

You may ask, "What is the orange or yellow fungus growing in my mulch?" The answer is not what you expect.

Understanding nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer labels is essential to growing lush, healthy lawns, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. The quantity of each nutrient is equally important.

Acidic soil will cause growth failure in plants, as they are unable to take up the necessary nutrients to thrive. Increase soil pH by adding lime or wood ashes at the appropriate time of year!

How to go from no garden to new garden using simple methods and only hand tools.

There are many differences between organic and non-organic soils. Mulch, compost, and manure are organic and will transform a nutrient-deficient soil into a rich organic environment for plants. Perlite, vermiculite, expanded clay aggregate, and rockwool are non-organic. They are heavily used in hydroponics and as soil amendments for potted plants.

Preparing soil for planting and gardening is essential to growing healthy plants. Learn how to test and prepare your soil properly.

Wondering what to do with old potting soil? Lower the cost and reduce the hassle of filling seasonal containers by reusing last year’s soil. To minimize risk to your plants and maximize the effectiveness of used soil, follow these soil-recycling tips.

Learn how to change the texture of your garden's clay for easier gardening, as well as how to improve clay soil drainage.

Don't throw away those dry leaves, but make a fine, carbon-rich compost for your garden. This article will show you how to use leaf mold to improve the texture of your soil.

Learn how to prepare a soil sample for testing, locate a testing center near you (even if you're an organic gardener), and read your test results.