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
Mowing leaves into your lawn can improve its vigor, and unraked leaves in planting beds don’t smother shade-tolerant perennials by Terry Ettinger

Amendments that Can Give Your Soil a Boost
A gardener's guide to wood ashes, greensand, rock phosphate, soybean meal, gypsum, sulfur, alfalfa meal, and epsom salts by Lee Reich

Making the Most of Mulch
John C. Fech answers frequently asked questions on mulch types and time of application 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
How to help your soil hold water by Lee Reich

Soil Testing is Worth the Effort
by Lee Reich

Soil in Containers Should Be a Good Mix
Garden soil doesn't offer enough air, water or nutrients to container-grown plants. Fortunately, it's easy to amend. by Lee Reich

Getting to the Coir of the Matter
Gardeners for years have lined their hanging baskets with long-fiber coir. Learn how this material differs from peat. by James Robbins

The Four Things You Need to Know About Soil pH
Lee Reich explains what pH is, what it does, how to adjust it, and why to monitor it 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 Is 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

6 Ways to Make Great Compost
Closed bins, pit composting, open bins, tumblers, piling, or vermicomposting: which method is best for you? by Lynn Bement

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

Hot Composting vs. Cold Composting
Hot composting is faster but requires attention to keep carbon and nitrogen in the optimum ratio by Lynn Bement

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

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

VIDEO The Other Side of the Soil Test
Learn what happens after you drop your soil in the mail.

Fine Gardening How-To Series: Gardening Techniques, Vol. 3 DVD-ROM Fast, easy computer access to more than 40 articles and videos on soil and proper planting More Info

Gardening Techniques 1, 2 & 3 DVD-ROM Set Learn essential gardening methods from professionals in the field. More Info