Managing Soil

Potting Soil Ingredients
Here's a breakdown on some common container soil ingredients by Daryl Beyers

VIDEO Potting Soil Recipe for Annuals
High in nutrients, this mix pumps out the flowers without extra feeding by Bobby Saul

VIDEO Potting Soil Recipe for Cacti and Succulents
Perfect drainage makes this recipe succeed by Jeff Moore

VIDEO Potting Soil Recipe for Woody Plants and Perennials
This long-lasting mixture is the perfect medium for long-term plants by Rita Randolph

Potting Soil Recipes
Cook up your own container mix that is suited to your plants by Daryl Beyers

VIDEO A Basic Potting Soil Recipe
Simple ingredients make this adaptable mix easy and affordable by Lee Reich

Use Mulch to Manage Your Soil Conditions
by Lee Reich

Improve your soil by raking less
by Terry Ettinger

Amendments that Can Give Your Soil a Boost
by Lee Reich

Making the Most of Mulch
by John C. Fech

Tilling is one chore you might be able to skip
by Lee Reich

Good Soil is a Sieve and a Sponge
by Lee Reich

Soil Testing is Worth the Effort
by Lee Reich

Soil in Containers Should Be a Good Mix
by Lee Reich

Getting to the Coir of the Matter
by James Robbins

The Four Things You Need to Know About Soil pH
by Lee Reich

Q&A Naturalistic gardening
by Ann Lovejoy

Earthworms Help Build Your Soil
by Katherine Smetak

Q&A Protecting against frost heave
by Charles W.G. Smith

READER'S TIP
Use charcoal to fill large pots
by Gay M. Gross

Q&A Coffee grounds in the garden
by Sharon Lovejoy

Sludge May Appear to Be Organic, But Is It Healthy?
by Sue Smith-Heavenrich

Q&A Benefits of green manures
by Jennifer Brown

Mycorrhizae help feed your plants
by Greg Quinn

Choosing the Right Soilless Mix
A good growing medium will ensure that your plants get a healthy balance of water and air by Jim Garner

Introducing the Soil Food Web
by Ann Lovejoy

Making Leaf Mold
Recycle fall's debris to create this organic soil amendment and mulch by Lee Reich

READER'S TIP
Electric nail care
by Ila Bossons

Building a Compost Bin
Easy to assemble and disassemble, this bin can adapt to the size of your compost pile by Lee Reich

Q&A Using ashes in the garden
by John C. Fech

Q&A Keeping soil in raised beds from settling prematurely
by Lee Reich

Improving Clay Soils
Dump on the organic matter, work it in over time, then leave well enough alone by Keith Baldwin

How's Your Soil Texture?
Healthy soil starts with the right proportion of sand, silt, and clay by Wayne Cahilly

Mulch for a Healthy Garden
Top-dress your beds to protect plants, conserve water, suppress weeds, and nourish soil by Patrick Kelsey

Q&A Setting the record straight on mulch
by Vincent Drzewucki

Q&A The dirt on greensand
by Nancy Dubrule

VIDEO Fall Leaves Make a Great Natural Mulch
Rake them in the fall, save them until spring, and spread them on your garden beds by Sydney Eddison

VIDEO How to Make Leaf Mold
Fall leaves make an organic soil amendment and mulch by Lee Reich

VIDEO Making Compost
A balanced organic mixture, properly layered, creates a rich soil additive by Lee Reich

VIDEO Managing Soil Texture
Here's how to make the most of less-than-perfect soil by Lee Reich

Soil core in a soilless mix

VIDEO Soil Testing
Catching nutrient deficiencies helps you avoid stunted growth and off-color leaves by Lee Reich

Testing Soil Drainage
Here's how to find out what sort of drainage you have by Lee Reich