soil

  • clay soil
    How-To

    Healthy Soil Is at the Heart of a Thriving Garden  

    Soil is a complex structure made up of mineral solids and organic matter interwoven with aggregates and open pore spaces. The open spaces between soil particles are just as important…

  • healthy garden soil
    Collection

    Maintaining Healthy Garden Soil

    Many people think of soil as dead, decomposed organic matter and minerals. But it’s much more than that. Soil is full of life. Trillions of organisms live in soil, using…

  • rain garden
    How-To

    Drainage Solutions for Heavy Clay Soil

    I recently renovated my courtyard, carefully double digging the clay soil and adding plenty of organic matter. When heavy spring rains arrived, I discovered I had created a giant bathtub.…

  • A Gadget That Takes the Guesswork Out of Watering
    Article

    A Gadget That Takes the Guesswork Out of Watering

    While it may seem like a simple tool, I’ve recommended this Mosser Lee Soil Master moisture, light, and pH meter more than any other garden tool. The soil in my…

  • How-To

    How to Water a Pot

    There are several basic things that every gardener should know: how to pinch a plant, how to water a pot, how to keep dirt out of your fingernails, etc. In…

  • container display
    Design

    8 Ways to Create Crowd-Pleasing Containers

    Containers open up a world of design possibilities for apartment dwellers, gardeners with limited time or space, and anyone who wants to add an instant focal point to their daily…

  • Caliche soil
    How-To

    Gardening with Caliche Soil in the Southern Plains

    How many times have you heard gardeners lament the presence of caliche in their soil? If you live in the Southern Plains or the desert Southwest, it’s likely you’ve heard…

  • Article

    Regional Picks: Plant It And Forget It – Southern Plains

    1. Blue Puffball™ Chaste Tree   Name: Vitex angus-castus ‘PIIVAC-I’ Zones:6-9 Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide Conditions: Full sun; average to dry soil Finally, a chaste tree…

  • Varied Directions Larch
    Design

    Conifers for Gardens in the Northeast

    See regional picks for conifers, and read the article by Andrew Brand for even more ideas. “Evergreen conifers provide the bones for any landscape. They offer a variety of colors,…

  • Design

    How to Create a Gravel Garden

    When you conjure up an image of a gravel garden, it probably isn’t very fun or colorful. Many people picture a sea of hot, dry gravel, some harsh, craggy rocks,…