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Soil Building

Soil building encompasses many different things, as the soil is its own living and changing ecosystem. While it's possible to grow plants without soil, the vast majority of gardeners use it -- soil is everywhere in all of its myriad forms.

Here, we explain all things soil-based as well as the things that are used to improve that soil. Our writing team provides insight into not just soil types and textures, but also composting, cover cropping for soil improvement, mulching for the myriad of benefits it offers, and so many more things.

We'll explore different organic fertilizers and how they work, techniques like the Back To Eden or no-till methods of gardening, and even delve into the many forms of mulch that can be used to reduce erosion and maintain soil moisture.

Organic gardeners know full well the value of having good soil, and the interplay between organic matter and mineral inputs is key to guaranteeing that you have a living, beneficial, and healthy soil food web. To many, the soil is an entirely new frontier waiting to be explored... and so we'll explore it along with you, step by step.

With a little know-how, you too can improve your existing soil in the yard, learn which amendments are necessary or unnecessary in your situation, and optimize for the best outcome for your specific plant types.

Close-up of a hand in a blue glove conducting a soil test in a fall garden, with several test tubes containing different liquids placed on the soil.

Soil Improvement

9 Reasons You Should Test Your Soil in Fall

Now that the major growing season is coming to a close, your mind may be on cleaning up the garden, processing your last harvests, and raking up all the leaves. However, fall is also an excellent time to test your soil. This will give you plenty of time to make any adjustments needed before next year, balancing the nutrients and the pH level. Plant biologist Emily Estep will give you nine reasons why.

Pitchfork and gloves in a wheelbarrow full of compost to easily improve fall soil

Soil Improvement

9 Easy Ways to Improve Your Soil

Improving your soil is always a good use of time! It helps future plant species gain all the nutrients, moisture, and air they need to survive. It also boosts beneficial fungi, bacteria, and archaea belowground. Join native plant gardener Jerad Bryant and discover nine easy ways to amend your garden’s soil.

A pair of hands in yellow boots and gloves working with a small trowel to break up the brown, crumbly dirt in a raised wooden bed. A green bucket and metal watering can are placed beside the bed, and the surrounding area is neatly arranged with gravel.

Soil Improvement

7 Benefits of Amending Your Soil in the Fall

Autumn is an ideal time to amend soils. Why? Soil amendments decay during fall and winter to form fertile, rich, crumbly soils in spring. You’ll have plantable beds ready for vegetables, wildflowers, and fruits. Join native plant gardener Jerad Bryant and learn the benefits of applying improvements now rather than in the spring.

A person in blue jeans and boots kneels down while inspecting the ground with a small gardening tool, surrounded by a grassy area and patches of green foliage.

Soil Improvement

13 Fall Soil Improvements You Can Apply Now

Autumn is the ideal time to add soil improvements. They’ll start to break down this season and continue working slowly during the cool months. In spring, you’ll enjoy fresh, crumbly dirt that’s prime and ready for new seedlings! Join native plant gardener Jerad Bryant to see the 13 fall soil amendments you should add today.

A bright yellow rake is leaning against a large pile of dry, curled brown foliage, resting on green grass under a tree in a sunlit garden.

Soil Improvement

Do Fall Leaves Make Good Compost?

Fall leaves are a nutrient-rich soil amendment, but do they make good compost? They do, but they’ll need extra care to morph into rich, crumbly soil. Learn how to turn fall leaves into beneficial compost with backyard composter Jerad Bryant.

A large black bin basket filled with food scraps, including peels, fruit cores, and leafy greens, sits outside in a garden area next to lush foliage.

Soil Improvement

Hot vs. Cold Compost: Which Is Right For Your Garden?

Compost turns rotting waste into fertile, crumbly, humus-rich soil. It’s a wonderful method of upcycling waste, giving food scraps and garden clippings new life in the environment. Hot and cold piles are two easy composting methods, but which is right for you? Let’s break it down alongside seasoned composter Jerad Bryant.

Close-up of little girl in pink jacket pouring kitchen waste into compost bin in autumn garden.

Composting

Composting with Kids: 7 Ways to Get Kids Excited About Compost

Young or old, composting is a wonderful way to observe natural processes, address food waste, and build healthy soils. It helps us participate in our foodways from start to finish. It’s easy, inexpensive, and productive. And there are tons of ways to involve your budding naturalist. Join gardening expert Katherine Rowe in ideas to inspire kids to create their own garden gold.

A woman's hand in an orange glove mixes a compost heap with garden debris using a garden pitchfork.

Soil Improvement

9 Types of Garden Debris to Add to the Compost Pile

Most organic matter can go into your compost pile without issue, but some items have exceptions and stipulations. Learn what can go into compost, and you’ll never throw it in the trash again. Join seasoned gardener Jerad Bryant in discovering these nine types of waste that break down into rich, crumbly soil.