Soil Preparation & Improvements

Aeonium, native to Africa, is a type of succulent plant marked by rosettes of plump leaves and upright, woody stems. Aeonium is available in a variety of sizes, from plants with dainty, 2-inch…

Agapanthus, also known as love flower, is a summer-blooming plant favored for its strappy foliage and showy white, pink or blue flowers. Agapanthus thrives in containers, but is also suitable as a…

Hoya carnosa, commonly called wax plant, is a woody, flowering vine often grown as a houseplant. The Compacta cultivar is sometimes referred to as Hindu rope plant. It blooms in clusters of pink…

Korean spice (Viburnum carlesii), commonly called Korean spice viburnum, is a deciduous shrub that is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 7. It typically reaches a…

Soil erosion occurs most commonly in areas with high rain fall, strong winds or scant vegetation, but it can occur to a lesser degree just about anywhere. It proves challenging for many homeowners…

Native to tropical climates, staghorn ferns thrive outdoors in Florida and as houseplants in cooler regions of the United States. If you can grow yours outdoors, mount it on a tree trunk to expose its…

Native to West Coast woodlands, Oregon wood sorrel (Oxalis oregana) is a low-growing ground cover ideal for shaded shrub borders and casual landscapes. Growing just 4 to 10 inches high, this rapidly…

A pier and beam foundation is designed using a framework of posts and beams to support the weight of the house above it. The pier and beam structure is based in a foundation of concrete, but rises…

Vertical gardening methods allow you to take advantage of a small garden space while encouraging maximum production. Vining vegetables, like cucumbers, are typically trained to a vertical growth…

Won bok is an Oriental green and a member of the Brassica rapa, or Chinese cabbage family. Won bok is considered a subtype that also goes by the name Chinese cabbage or Napa cabbage. Mature plants…

Mosses are primitive, simple plants that can thrive in indoor or outdoor gardens. All they need is acidic soil, cool temperatures and moisture. Many mosses grow best in partial or total shade, but…

Interlocking soil stabilized blocks are used to construct block walls without the use of mortar. These walls are commonly found in areas with a high risk of earthquakes.The blocks are made from mixing…

Clay garden soil that retains water, as well as waterlogged soil from excessive rainfall or a low-lying garden area, can create impossible conditions for plants to survive. Muddy, waterlogged garden…

The snow pea, or Pisum sativum, belongs to the legume plant family. Also called edible-podded peas, they are often the stars of Chinese-inspired dishes because of their sweet, crunchy nature.…

Rapidly growing paulownia trees provide a major source of lumber for furniture, toys and decorative boxes. The Asian native's ornamental features include heart-shaped leaves up to 3 feet across.…

The floating slab foundation is the most primitive of all foundation types. In fact, it is not technically a foundation at all, but a simple poured concrete floor that sits right on the grade, or…

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is among the most common sights in an herb garden, popular for flavoring and as a garnish. Technically a perennial, parsley is typically grown as an annual as it goes to…

Shellac may not be the most common choice, but it has definite advantages when used as a brick sealer and protectant. Shellac is created from the droppings of insects called Laccifer Lacca, which feed…

Perennial miscanthus grass provides an attractive addition to the landscape. The fountain-like growth habit is green through spring and summer. The brown foliage remains ornamental through the fall…

Jasminum sambac, also known as Arabian jasmine, is a blooming evergreen that can grow up to 10 feet tall outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. It can also grow…

Cabbage thrives in the cooler spring and fall seasons, reaching maturity before temperatures become too warm and cause the plant to go to seed. Starting the sprouts indoors in late winter ensures they…

Talinum plants produce a mound of succulent green foliage and small star-shaped flowers that quickly fill a flower bed. The large colorful seeds add further interest, depending on the talinum variety.…

Gloxinia flowers throughout the year, making it an attractive choice for an indoor plant. Growth comes from a tuberous root that is similar to a rhizome or bulb. The root produces new growth for…

Cultivated for more than 3,000 years, Nigella sativa goes by many common names: black cumin, Roman coriander and nutmeg flower are just a few. This aromatic annual is a cousin of love-in-a-mist (N.…

Brodiaea belongs to a set of plants called the Brodiaea complex, a group of genera from the lily family. These wildflowers grow from corms (modified undergrounds stems) and are native throughout the…

Nitrogen is part of every living cell, and plants need it to grow and develop normally. A plant that isn't getting enough nitrogen may have yellowing leaves and stunted growth. However, a plant that's…

Leaching occurs when water washes substances dispersed throughout the top layer of soil deeper into the soil, creating a porous top layer and a denser lower layer. Potted plants can accumulate salt on…

Water erosion caused by rain, flood, irrigation and livestock displaces soil, removing its nutrients and moving it into rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. New soil can offset the ecosystem of…

Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) is a tropical tree hardy in United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9B to 11. They are coveted for their fragrant yellow flowers, which are…

It is a commonly held belief that oak and pine leaves acidify soil. Perhaps this is because fallen leaves tend to mat and smother any plants that try to take root under these trees. Perhaps it is…

Strawberry plants produce delicious fruits within only a year after planting. The plants are attractive enough that some gardeners like to grow strawberries as an edible bedding plant. Strawberries,…

If you’re a flower lover who lives in a cold climate for part of the year, you don’t have to be a slave to your restricted outdoor planting schedule to enjoy the beauty of flowering bulbs…

The red, pink, lavender and purple flowers of the fuchsia plant dangle from their branches like holiday ornaments, making them a cheerful selection for hanging baskets and bedding plants. If you want…

Clothes dryers work with a kill switch built into the appliance door that shuts off the dryer when the door is opened. This is a safety feature. If the dryer doesn't operate normally when the door is…

Commiphora myrrha is a tree that is referred to in the Bible. Ancient peoples, such as Romans and Egyptians, have used murrha for treating wounds, perfume, insect repellents and incense. This tree is…

A bowed wall is a basement or foundation wall that has started to slump inward. This gives it a bent or bowed look compared to the right angles of the walls around it. A bowed wall is rarely an…

Coffee is wildly popular as a drink, but its uses extend beyond morning beverages. For many years, thrifty gardeners have been using coffee grounds in their potting soil. It may sound like urban…

Few plants are as evocative of the desert as the saguaro cactus. The tall, branching shape and rugged nature of saguaro cacti endear them to many gardeners, and they are often incorporated into…

After developing a good soil mix, gardeners sometimes sterilize it ensuring there are no fungi or bacteria that could harm germinating seeds or cuttings. Perhaps some soil has become contaminated with…

Wisteria adds dramatic visual impact to summer gardens with its pendulous clusters of fragrant, purple flowers. The vines require a stout, sturdy trellis to grow upon since they are large and very…

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum) is an annual herb in the bean and pea family, Fabaceae. Fenugreek is native to the Middle East, although it grows in California and Maryland. Ancient Egyptians…

The espalier technique is a way to train a tree to grow in a set direction along a support structure, such as a wall or trellis. Fruit and flowering trees, as well as any climbing plant or tree, are…

Large planters can add the softness and color of flowers to a cement or field stone patio or give an area that's already filled with plants more visual dimension. Typically, however, they need a lot…

Succulents create interesting miniature landscapes, often called dish gardens, when planted together. They look their best in low, broad pots, but you can use almost any kind of container. The most…

Savory can be a welcome, attractive addition to herb garden. Choose between summer savory and winter savory. Summer savory is an annual plant, meaning it completes its full growth cycle in a single…

Erosion can cause the loss of valuable topsoil from property. Over time, rain and water washing over the property carries away bits of dirt. When heavy rains occur, larger amounts of dirt are lost.…

Astilbes, or false spirea, belong to a genus of perennial flowering plants that performs well in damp, shady areas, from USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. The plume-like flowers are available as…

Blackberries are usually planted in the ground, but if you live in a climate with extremely cold winters with high winds that could damage the blackberry bushes, you should grow plants in pots so you…

Yellow poplar and tulip tree are two common names for Liriodendron tulipifera, a deciduous species of flowering tree native to the southeastern United States. It is valued as an ornamental shade tree…

When putting plants in new pots or changing the soil in the same pot, it is important to do so properly so that the plant will take to the new surroundings. Help prevent oversaturation of the soil by…