Soil improvement encompasses a whole lot more than just adding a bag of potting mix and hoping for the best! Here, we delve into the world of soil science to learn about why certain things do what they do. Techniques you can use for soil improvement are also collected here, providing you with tools you can use to improve the overall health and potential of your garden.
Fertilizing is one of the most important parts of gardening. Like people and animals, plants have to eat as well. Spurred by this, people are becoming interested and involved in organic fertilizers. One of the oldest and probably most well-known is chicken manure. In many areas, chicken manure is readily available. This is in part … Read more
When I was growing up my Mom always complained to my Dad about her garden and flower beds. She would say things like “Nothing grows in this red dirt!”, or “I’m not planting anything this year, it never grows!” I always thought Mom just didn’t have a green thumb. Fast forward about twenty years, and now … Read more
Mushroom compost is a wonderful addition to your gardening efforts. A great soil builder, it’s also really useful for keeping the soil moist, and it helps to break down dense clay. But what is mushroom compost? How do you use it? Can you make it yourself? Let’s answer these questions and more! What Is Mushroom … Read more
If your plants are struggling to grow, you might need to amend your soil with organic fertilizer. Learn about them and how to use them here.
If you’re growing in containers, chances are good you’re using some kind of potting soil for your precious plants. But what if I told you that the “soil” in your pot isn’t technically “soil” at all? What if I told you that it’s a mix made of composted tree materials, peat moss, and a myriad … Read more
Ready for a test? With paper and pencil, make a list of ALL nutrients that plants need to grow properly. We’ll wait…no cheating! Here’s the list to check yourself against: Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Calcium Magnesium Sulfur Chlorine Copper Manganese Iron Boron Molybdenum Zinc Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen There are more elements here than you listed, I … Read more
One of the most effective and controversial materials to garden with is peat moss. Effective because it works well in tons of situations, and controversial because of how it is sourced. Many gardeners buy it on the regular without even knowing what it is or what it’s doing in their practice. Peat moss is sometimes … Read more
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