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.
Compost should smell rich, earthy, and wormy. It shouldn’t have rotten, acrid, or putrid aromas! We’ll first discover what makes compost smell bad, then how to fix the underlying smell-causing issues. Join seasoned gardener Jerad Bryant as we dive into compost piles!
You may have done plenty of research on what to toss in your compost pile, but have you ever thought about what to exclude? Time to break it down! Join gardener and home composter Lindsay Miller to find out what shouldn’t go in 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.
September is a great time to rebuild your soil for next year's growing season by adding amendments. There are many ways to do it! Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to discuss some great ways to amend for a healthy garden.
You don’t have to be a full-fledged farmer to benefit from the use of cover cropping. You can use these plants to rejuvenate any garden bed over the off-season. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to learn some of the best options for boosting the nutrients in your soil for next season.
If you don’t have strong soil structure, excess rainfall and irrigation can leach nutrients and fertilizers out of your garden beds. But there are many ways to prevent leaching, ensuring that vital plant minerals stay in the root zone where your plants can use them. In this article, soil expert Logan Hailey explains how to prevent leaching in your garden.
Compost piles are excellent for backyard gardeners who want to save money on soil amendments or upcycle excess waste. Turning piles speeds up decomposition, lets microbes breathe, and keeps rotting smells at bay. Join longtime composter Jerad Bryant and discover seven easy ways to turn your compost piles.
Is your hot compost pile feeling cold? Or does it feel too hot? No matter which end of the spectrum your pile is on, there are easy ways to correct its temperature. Join backyard gardener Jerad Bryant in learning exactly how hot our piles should be.
Mycorrhizal fungi seem like a complicated group of organisms. The truth is they’re one of the smartest! They’re also incredibly beneficial for your soil. Learn what they are and what they can do for your garden with native plant gardener Jerad Bryant.
Compost typically decomposes from a month to a year, but you can make your own in as little as a week! How fast it decomposes depends on your garden conditions. Let’s break down your dirt with native plant gardener Jerad Bryant.
If you’re always on the lookout for a more sustainable soil amendment or mulch, then you need to know more about rice hulls. They’re a food-safe byproduct that comes from processing rice, and they offer numerous benefits as both an amendment and as mulch. While other materials like perlite and peat are non-renewable or potentially harmful, this option is an environmentally-friendly choice. Plant biologist Emily Estep will explain the basics to get you started.