Soil

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...

In many areas aquatic plants have become invasive and are choking out the native species. Luckily, the fast growth of these plants can be leveraged and the plants used as a high-nitrogen nutrient...

Plants grow best in neutral soil--soil with a pH balance of 6.5 to 7.5. Lower numbers indicate acidic soil and higher numbers indicate basic, or alkaline, soil. To optimize growing conditions,...

Good soil is essential for healthy plants. Healthy soil provides enough water, essential nutrients and a suitable pH for plant growth. The texture of the soil is often an effective indicator to...

Knowing how your yard drains will help you set goals to improve your drainage. The type of soil in your yard determines how well it drains and the slope or grade of your yard determines what low...

To create an optimal growing medium for your garden plants, it is often necessary to change the chemical balance in the soil itself. Some plants prefer alkalized soil, while others prefer a more...

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.

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,...

As much as you might like to do so, picking your soil before buying a house or building a new home is all but impossible. If your home is part of a suburb, chances are the ground was stripped of...

All plants need nutrients. This is as true in the wild as it is in the garden. Whether growing grass, flowers, vegetables or trees, the gardener's job is to ensure that these plants have the...

A number of plants---blueberries, evergreens, azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons, just to name a few---need acidic soil. Acidifying potting soil can be accomplished relatively easily with an...

Soil conditions vary greatly from region to region, and some gardeners and farmers may find themselves in greater need of specific nutrients than growers in other areas. One of the benefits of...

Lime is often overlooked by gardeners as a fertilizer option. Many stick to traditional types such as nitrogen and potassium. Lime offers several advantages if used to balance soil and it helps...

Clay soil is generally negatively charged, allowing it to bond easily with a number of nutrients that carry a positive charge. As this bonding occurs over time, most clay soil ends up with a...

Because they both have large dark green leaves, tomato and potato plants can often look similar. While tomato plants bear fruit which hang from the plant's stems, a potato plant grows the potatoes...

Watering plants during a heat wave is a matter of knowing the unique needs of different plants. Protect each plant from the ravages of extreme heat, avoid water waste with basic plant-watering...

In an economy where many people are cutting back on expenses, many gardeners and homeowners are looking for low-cost, easy ways to keep their plants and lawns alive and happy. One fail-safe way is...

Designed exclusively for growing plants in containers, potting soils differ from soil in outdoor growing beds.A looser mix, potting soil allows the roots of the plants to fill the container. Feed...

Fertilizers can offer your garden and houseplants that added touch of nutrients to sustain growth. Fertilizers are readily available in nurseries and garden centers but can become quite costly....

Plants typically require nutrient-rich, well-drained soil to prosper well. There are plants that have adapted to less than favorable conditions, such as clay soil.

It can be difficult for many plants to thrive in sandy soil. But there are several to choose from that will grow well. If you have sandy soil in your yard, you can still have beautiful landscaping.

Most plants, especially those that are grown outside of their native ranges, need soil supplements in the form of fertilizer. This might include adding nitrogen for growth, phosphorous for bloom...

If you have ever done landscaping or work in the construction sector you probably deal with your fair share of wood chips, often called mulch. Most people throw away what is usually considered...

Soil comes in three basic kinds: sand, silt and clay. Most soils are a combination of the three. Types of soils depend on the variations in the weather, moisture and location in combination with...

Potting soil is a generic term for a variety of soils designed specifically for planting plants into containers. While many all-purpose potting soils are available and are easy to use on just...

Although plants can be forced to grow without soil, soil is the natural medium in which plants have adapted and evolved. There are a number of key factors or characteristics of soil that have a...

Compost is one of the most beneficial soil amendments, and adding it is one of the easiest ways to improve the health of your garden. The byproduct of organic materials decomposing, compost is an...

Erosion is the loss of topsoil due to the movement of water. Hillsides stripped of vegetation have the biggest problem with erosion, but erosion can happen anywhere soil is lacking vegetation....

Topsoil is the outermost layer of the earth's crust and contains essential minerals and nutrients for plant growth. Usually reaching no more than 8 inches deep, it is rich with organic material...

Land clearing impacts the environment significantly, whether it is a small scale or large scale clearance. When land clearing is extensive the effects can be irreversible, but when the clearing is...

The minerals or plant nutrients found in topsoil are important both to the growth of plants and to those--people and animals--who will eventually consume those plants. Farmers and gardeners...

The uppermost layer of the earth generally runs between 2 and 8 inches deep and is a rich source of nutrients and biological occurrences. It is known as topsoil. This is also the soil that is...

Plants need soil to grow. Follow this article to mix a soil concoction that plants go crazy for.

Oak leaf tea makes an excellent fertilizer for acid loving plants and is cheap and easy to make. All you need is a five gallon bucket, water and oak leaves. Oak leaf tea is cheaper than buying...

My mom and grandma both dumped used coffee grounds into our rose garden. I never really thought much of it. I figured it was a natural product and it had the same consistency as the soil, so it...

Beefsteak tomatoes are amongst the most expensive tomatoes in the market. They are liked for their large size because it takes only one slice to fill a sandwich. They're excellent for soups and...

Acid-loving plants are plentiful and can really add color to your garden. Perennials give the largest choice with the most color when searching for plants that thrive on neutral Ph levels, or...

If you are like most people, you probably think that a little fertilizer, sunlight and water are all that are needed for plants to grow. Although plants cannot grow without sunlight and water,...

Soil is not just dirt. It is the evolving layer of decomposing rock that covers parts of the Earth not covered by water or sand. Soil covers just 10 percent of the Earth's surface but produces all...

The important thing to remember when planting vegetation is that good topsoil is essential for successful growing. Topsoil is rich in minerals and nutrients that plants need to grow. Topsoil is...

Compost is a mixture of dirt and old vegetable matter. It is left to decompose over time--usually at least a year. If you have a compost pile, you can add grass clippings, leaves, wood chips, left...

To the surprise of some, there is more than one type of dirt. And its function is more significant than to be tracked into your house by dirty sneakers and muddy dogs. Soil creates the basic...

The key to a healthy garden year after year is diversity. When the same crop is planted continually, the soil becomes depleted of nutrients that are essential to the development of healthy plants....

The success of your garden depends not only on the amount of sun and water your plants have, but what kind of soil you have. Your drainage can vary and the nutrients available to plants will...

You may wonder why some gardens look better and grow healthier plants than others. And if you are the one with the unhealthy garden, chances are you need to prepare your soil. To the novice...

The choice of the prepared bagged planting mix will determine the success of your potted plant, flower bed or vegetable garden. Sterile soil, with the added benefits of nutrients and time-released...

While some plant diseases are spread by insects and pests, many of them spread through the soil. Gardeners can greatly reduce the occurrence of soilborne disease in their crops by being alert to...

Some nitrogen is necessary in a plant's growth cycle to promote health and vitality. One way you know your plants aren't getting enough nitrogen is if the lower leaves are yellowing or there's...

Seedlings and plants in all stages of their growth need calcium. Calcium helps the plant roots and shoots grow strong to provide a fertile producing plant. Calcium also prevents plant rot in...

The key to growing a healthy and thriving garden of any sort is having a good working knowledge of your soil. Plants have certain requirements that must be met or they will have stunted growth or...