Soil

Using a compost tumbler for the home is the easiest and most efficient way to compost. The tumbler compost bin is different than the standard compost bin because it requires much less effort and...

A compost pile can be helpful to you and your family. It is a great way to do your part to be green. A compost pile can help you recycle roughly 35 percent of your yard and kitchen waste. There...

Fertilizing is an essential part of raising a successful vegetable garden. Since plants rely on a variety of minerals and nutrients to support vibrant growth, getting the right blend to the roots...

Blueberry bushes make up a large family of fruiting bush with species growing both above the Arctic Circle and well into the humid southern reaches of North America. Blueberries are related to...

Mealworms are the larval stages of the common darkling beetle and are invasive pests that infest flour, meal, grain, corn, seeds and related organic products. Mealworms differ in size from very...

Plastic mulching has been shown to have many benefits, including weed control, increased soil temperature and less evaporation. These conditions can make it possible for plants such as tomatoes,...

Soil contains nitrogen, potassium, organic matter, particles and minerals. Soil analysts isolate these elements using touch, extraction and suspension methods. Elemental deficiencies and...

Composting is a great way to get rid of excess yard waste and kitchen scraps without adding to the landfill or polluting the air with smoke from burning leaves. Not only is it the environmentally...

Composting is a great way to recycle yard and kitchen waste and enrich the soil in your garden at the same time, but many composting systems seem ridiculously complicated. Composting does not...

Soil varies throughout the world, and Italy has soil like no other. Both acidic and alkaline, Italian soils are used to produce everything from bold vineyard grapes to everyday herbs such as rosemary.

Salmonella is the most common cause of food borne illness worldwide. Recent studies show that soil contamination is often the root source of infection for food outbreaks, so there is increasing...

There are a wonderful variety of plants that love acid soil. Among them are azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies, conifers, ferns and hydrangea. You'll also find plants that produce edible fruits such...

Soil can be classified in a number of ways, by texture, color and ability to retain water, for example. Below are the most general classifications of soil; most subcategories are derived from a...

Alkaline soils have a pH of over 7.1 to 14. Acid soils have a pH of 0 to 6.9, with pH 7 being neutral. Clay soil tends toward the alkaline, not the acidic

Soil that is high in both salt and sodium is considered to be saline-sodic soil. This type of soil might occur naturally or unnaturally though the impact of human gardening and farming practices.

Polymer crystals, technically known as polyacrylamide hydrogels, are a common soil additive used to retain moisture at the roots of plants, shrubs and small trees. These crystals are able to...

Pennington is one of the more prominent manufacturers of Epsom salts for use in gardens and lawns. In a sense, Epsom salt is Epsom salt, but there are two basic precautions gardeners should take...

Not all types of soil are alike, and clay and sand represent opposite ends of the soil spectrum. In order to successfully grow plants in sand or clay, it helps to understand the unique...

Composting is the process by which organic matter such as table scraps, leaves and grass clippings are placed into an outdoor pile and allowed to decompose. The heat that is generated by the...

Gypsum is often said to improve any and all soils. However, this isn't true. Gypsum is a handy solution for those with heavy clay soils who want to break up or loosen the soil, although it will...

A soil analysis measures the amount of various elements in a soil sample that are usable by plants and needed for their growth. Lime is made up of two such elements, calcium and magnesium.

Soil is composed of rock particles, organic matter, water and air. Rough or sandy soil has large particles which allow for large pockets, or pores. Clay soil is composed of fine particles and has...

Growing healthy organic produce in the home garden starts with good organic soil. The soil in container plants and seedling trays shouldn't be from a bag at the store, as these often are treated...

Beginning gardeners are often baffled when trying to choose a commercial fertilizer, each with a different three-number combination on the package. These numbers identify the three main...

Composting is not only great for your garden, it's great for the environment too. The process is quite simple, and doesn't require any specialized equipment, chemicals or skill. All you need for a...

For people who wish to start a garden but are dealing with a lawn composed of impacted, non-porous clay soil, gypsum is an affordable and organic way of sufficiently altering soil composition....

Growing an organic garden requires that soil be neutralized so it is neither too acidic nor too alkaline. After testing the pH level, gardeners often find that their soil contains too much acid. ...

Peat moss has several uses other than gardening, and has a long history in Europe. It helped maintain British cavalry units during World Wars I and II. The countries that use and produce the most...

Topsoil refers to the loosely packed fertile portion of the soil used to cover the ground. Topsoil is rich in nutrients, which are important to plant growth and health.

Peat moss has been a favorite of gardeners for a long time, but as environmental awareness increases, the risks and dangers of using peat moss in the garden become more known and understood.

Soil test kits are not typically very complex. The prices of the kits range from about $5 to $35 and, for the most part, they are simply used to test the pH level of your soil. However, with a few...

Converting your organic kitchen and garden waste into compost is an easy way for you to limit the growth of landfills, reduce your carbon footprint, and add healthy, rich nutrients to your garden...

Urea is widely used in the agricultural industry as an animal feed additive and fertilizer. With 46 percent nitrogen, it is an efficient source of nitrogen in fertilizers.

Sheep, goat, cow, horse, chicken or bat---combine any of these manures with your compost and you will see positive results in your garden. These positive results typically last the length of a...

Soil is composed of a mixture of water, air, minerals and organic matter. Soil forms the top layer of the Earth's crust and has many functions, including purifying water, recycling nutrients and...

The earthworm will always be a favorite bait among fishermen. Digging for their own earthworms is an important aspect of the entire fishing process for many anglers, and kids love getting their...

The siliceous bodies of diatoms do not decompose after their death but fall to the bottom of the water where they lived. The accumulation of large deposits of these diatom shells is known as...

Potassium chloride (KCl) is a compound known as a metal halide. Potassium chloride is usually processed from salt water and purified. It has many uses in industry and everyday life.

Soil pH affects plants' ability to obtain nutrients from the soil. Plants generally get maximum benefit from nutrients in the soil when the pH is between 5.5 and 7.

Erosion refers to the natural yet harmful effects that wind and water have on the soil over time. Erosion can be aggravated by human intervention and must be controlled in order to prevent...

Although an outdoor compost heap is a useful way to dispose of kitchen waste during the summer months, it may not be a viable alternative in cold winters. Vermicomposting, or composting with...

Individuals in pursuit of a vibrant lawn and garden will have already discovered the importance of regularly fertilizing the soil. Without the proper nutrients, plants can become listless, pale,...

Starting a new garden is easy--just get out the tiller or shovel and dig. You can plant anything in whatever type of soil you have. But long-term growth and success depends on the soil and the...

Recycling the disposable remnants of nature's blessings to nourish the new growth is the role that composting plays in gardening and landscape maintenance. Compost bins are handy...

When planting, it is important to pay attention to the colors of soil you are using. The color of the soil reflects what nutrients are heavy or lacking in that type.

San Diego County's soil is diverse. It is also often inhospitable to large-scale farming. A comprehensive list of San Diego soils can be overwhelming, but knowing types of soil, how they are...

One of the most important things for a successful garden (whether flower or vegetable) is starting with great soil. Great soil will encourage the roots to spread and grow, get the correct amount...

Worms spend their lives within the soil, processing organic matter and releasing that processed matter as waste. Worm waste products contain high levels of phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. This...

Soil refers to a layer of material that is ubiquitous on the surface of the Earth. Soil is usually classified by its texture, which is determined by the amount of sand, silt or clay that is...

Soil pollution remains one of the gravest environmental concerns as it can contaminate our food supply and potable water resources. Even small amounts of soil pollution can cause severe health...