Soil

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

A successful garden starts with having healthy soil- not just any dirt will grow plants well. Learn about what you can do to start your garden out positively.

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 explain some of the most important things to consider as you are preparing to plant.

This article will provide you with the knowledge to test, examine and amend soils for all types of gardens, from a small-space balcony garden to an in-ground vegetable plot to an animal-fodder patch.

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 are going to be able to grow with any success. This article will review the different soil types, show you how to determine which type you have, and show ways of amending it.

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 your raised garden bed's soil to keep it fresh and to avoid soil compaction. Here is a very simple way to get ready each year.

Something may be hiding in your mulch. Something which may make you ask, "What is the orange fungus growing in my mulch?" The answer is not what you expect.

Understanding fertilizer labels and what each nutrient provides to plants is essential when growing lawns, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. The main three nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). These are boldly listed on fertilizer containers. Variations of the numbers produce different results when applied to plants.

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 often overlooked, but is essential to growing healthy plants. Many simple tests can be performed to determine soil composition, nutrients, and drainage. Fertilizing, tilling, and mulching are also vital when preparing soil for planting.

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

If your garden has heavy clay soil, you may find that it is hard to work with, especially when gardening. Learn how to change the texture of the clay and improve water drainage.

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.