Soil

Topsoil is an amazing substance, with billions of beneficial microorganisms in every square inch. But topsoil can be depleted by intensive agricultural activity, especially if you do not...

Organic matter such as leaves, twigs, scat and insect remains are ubiquitous in soil. Larger chunks can be picked from the soil by hand, smaller quantities can be sieved or sifted, but other...

Worm castings provide a nutrient rich medium for plants and fauna to grow. Mixed into soil, a night-crawler excrement can drastically improve the quality through fertilization. Night-crawler worms...

Plants grown in soil maintained under an organic system receive benefits from delicate microorganisms that are easily disrupted through the use of chemical fertilizers and soil improvers. Healthy...

If your compost pile stinks, it is typically a symptom of an imbalance in the environment within the compost pile. A compost pile is a delicate environment in which microbes break down organic...

Compost is extremely beneficial for plants and having your own compost will allow you to nourish your garden without paying for expensive fertilizer. In addition, you can use a compost pile to...

Worms play an essential role in creating compost. Without worms to break down organic matter, our earth would be covered with mountains of plant and animal matter; not a pretty picture to...

Two different definitions of "organic soil" exist, with a considerable difference in their composition. A proper delineation between the two meanings prevents an agriculturalist from mistakenly...

Soils can take thousands and even millions of years to form. Thousands of different soils exist, comprised of varying levels of minerals and biological material highly dependent on local...

Composting, or recycling organic matter to enrich your garden soil, is a wonderful way to re-use kitchen and lawn scraps and avoid adding to overcrowded landfills. Compost can be used in your...

It's a shame to waste organic waste. In fact, the term organic waste is really a misnomer, because whether you have leftover vegetable scraps, grass clippings, dead flowers or even horse manure,...

When you turn over a shovelful of dirt in your garden, does it stick together in large, heavy clumps? If so, you probably have clay soil. Clay is made of tiny particles that pack together to...

Good topsoil comprises about thirty percent clay, thirty percent sand and thirty percent silt with an organic matter content of five to twenty percent or better. To replicate true topsoil, a...

Making a good organic fertilizer means more that simply spreading the byproducts of your compost heap into the soil of your garden. Organic fertilizers are both renewable and made of natural...

Clay soil presents problems for the gardener. When compacted, it can be so hard as to be almost impermeable, even with a shovel. The coarse, clod-filled texture inhibits plant root growth, and it...

Some gardeners do not need to make much of an effort to amend their soil, but for others, especially those with clay soil, there is a lot of groundwork to be done before planting can happen. Clay...

Soil has various compositions and comes in a variety of forms. Natural soils consist of minerals, organic matter and living organisms that are in balance with surrounding geological features and...

Clay soil can be difficult for gardeners, as vegetation struggles to grow in clay. However, with some work and planning clay soil can be improved. Clay also has some positive attributes, such as...

Organic soil is natural soil that has not been exposed to chemical pesticides or treated with synthetic fertilizer. Chemicals and synthetics have been shown to deplete a plant's natural defenses...

One of the best ways to ensure a thriving and fruitful garden is to have well-prepared soil before you plant. This involves removing existing sod from the planting area and adding organic...

Unless you are fortunate enough to live in an area with nutrient-rich soil, your garden is likely to need nutrient supplementation from time to time. There's no shortage of synthetic fertilizers...

Eisenia foetida, or red worm wigglers as they are commonly called, are composting worms. They are the most popular worms used by organic gardeners because they live for two to five years. They...

Organic gardening focuses on dealing with pestilence and weeds in a natural manner, without chemicals. The idea is, the less chemicals our foods are grown with, the less we will ingest into our...

A compost pile in your backyard is a beautiful thing. While it is smelly and can be ugly at times, the soil produced can transform your garden into an edible paradise and your wallet will bulge...

Gardeners know that earthworms are beneficial to the soil. But if a gardener wants to establish a population of earthworms in a newly prepared garden spot, what kind of soil will attract and keep...

Soil is made up of inorganic and organic particles. Clay soil is defined as a soil that is at least 40 percent clay particles. How much clay in soil is determined by the texture, structure and...

This is what you have to do to make compost and raise earthworms.

Making compost and raising worms at the same time!

Organic fertilizers are becoming more commercially available as consumers move towards sustainable practices for their yard and Garden. Many organic fertilizers provide plant nutrients and...

Fertilizer is just manure blended with soil, right? This misconception about soil fertilization can give gardeners disappointing results in mid-growing season, when plants are not flowering and...

The need to minimize environmental impacts has sparked new awareness among farmers and backyard gardeners alike of natural cropping and gardening techniques, including fertilizer choice. Organic...

The best thing you can give your garden is compost that you make yourself. You don't have to follow an exact recipe, but if you put it together in the right proportions and turn the pile...

A rich, dark, crumbly soil that can drain water but still retain moisture is considered loamy soil. Heavy, compacted soil doesn't drain well, and sandy soil doesn't hold water or nutrients. You...

The popularity of composting continues to grow as individuals to large municipalities work to reduce waste and utilize the fascinating process of turning organic matter into a nutrient rich soil...

The other day a man came to my house and we were looking at my garden when he commented on the soil. "Where did you get this dirt? This isn't Missouri(Ozarks)dirt." The fact was,...

Nothing is better than organic lawn fertilizers for your garden’s health and vitality. There are many natural and easy ways in which you can make your own plant nutrients. These natural organic...

If you are gardening in a small garden or container gardening you will need excellent soil. You can nurture the soil over a few seasons to be rich with organic matter or you can take the quick...

Soil drainage refers to the ability of water to drain through the upper layer of soil and seep into deeper areas. Poor drainage prevents plants from receiving proper nutrients for growth, either...

Potassium, or potash, is one of the three major elements your plants need to thrive. Plants must have potassium to make carbohydrates and protein. If your organic garden lacks potassium, your...

Organic matter in your soil is always a good thing; take care of your garden or lawn with the gardening tips on soil composition in these free videos.

Hear how commercial and organic fertilizers work when used in soil; take care of your garden or lawn with the gardening tips on soil composition in these free videos.

Using organic soil fertilizer will ensure that your fruit tree has all of the nutrients it needs to grow the most delicious fruit possible. Learn how to organically fertilize fruit trees by...

Compost is a common product of household and garden wastes combined to decay over time into a rich, organic compound that enriches the soil to which it is added. Understanding how composting works...

Poor drainage, swelling, cracking and a high pH make clay soil a challenge for even the most experienced gardeners. The good news is, amending clay soil is relatively simple–you just need to add...

Incorporating organic potting soil into your landscape or garden is a natural and healthy way to grow plants free of chemicals. Preparing your own organic potting soil can save you money and...

When should I ammend natural soil with supplements? If the soil at your home is too sandy, or full of clay, you should ammend it to provide your plants good fertilization and drainage.

Your success in organic gardening depends in large part on the soil you build. Start with any native soil and add the right organic amendments to nourish your plants. Then let the bed mellow for a...