LAST WEEK'S column provided a recipe for testing your garden soil's texture and discussed the management of sandy soils. This week, I'll focus on the management of clay, silt and loam soils and ...

The jar test is a simple way to determine soil composition. Take a clear jar and fill it with three parts soil and one part ...

You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. An error has occurred. Please try again ...

Getting your garden soil ready for next year can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where to start.

Soil is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, air, water, and organisms (living and dead) that regularly appear under the fingernails of all gardeners. Soil is a living, diverse, and complex ...

Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil. It's where essential nutrients, microorganisms, and beneficial insects like earthworms reside, helping provide a healthy environment for plants. Topsoil is also ...

The terms "garden soil" and "potting soil" may sound like they refer to similar things, but there are significant differences between the two products. Because of these differences, there are distinct ...

With good gardens, it’s all about the ingredients. Next spring’s good garden starts right now because, as the old saying goes, a garden is only as good as the soil it’s planted in. September and ...

If you want to be extra careful, test a small amount at home. Check for insects or signs of bugs before using it in your ...

When I was studying horticulture, loamy soil was flagged up as the most desirable type of soil since it incorporates a perfect mix of sand, silt and clay. So if you're looking for the best plants for ...

Dirt, or soil, doesn’t get the respect it deserves. But it’s the foundation of most food production. Ideally, the dirt in your garden or raised beds should provide your plants with everything they ...

It is no wonder that modern gardening takes so much more work than old orchard cultivation needed a century ago in the Santa Clara Valley. Orchard trees enjoyed the weather and the soil, and wanted ...