Soil testing could not be more important preceding tasks like establishing a new garden, diagnosing plant problems, determining fertilizer needs — and much more. But some situations don't require the ...

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Understanding the texture of your garden soil is crucial for successful planting and gardening. Soil texture affects water retention, drainage, aeration, and nutrient ...

In my 40 years of teaching and consulting, one of the biggest and most frustrating problems I continually encounter is when so called “landscape professionals” and homeowners continue to apply annual ...

Most gardeners know that success depends on many factors: You can’t grow a sun-loving plant in a shady area, for example. And a shrub that loves wet places won’t do well in dry soil. But the most ...

I often mention my veg patch’s clay soil in this column, and that’s because soil type affects what we grow and how. Getting to know your soil is an essential part of becoming a great grower of edible ...

Spring is in the air, and your garden is begging for attention. You’ve got seeds lined up, compost ready, and dreams of a ...

To grow good plants, you need good soil. The only way to tell what your soil really needs is to take a soil test. Applying too much fertilizer could be detrimental to your plants. You could waste ...

A soil test should be performed before adding amendments willy-nilly. For example, Epsom salt for roses must be added with care.