The garden soil is chock full of microorganisms that can either benefit or harm the plants. While many of these bacteria break down organic matter in the soil to release the nutrients that plants need, others cause diseases that could kill the plants. So how do you keep the good microbes and at the same …
Mycorrhizal fungi are a fascinating type of fungi that form symbiotic relationships with 80-90% of plants on earth. But how does that work, exactly? What is mycorrhizal fungi? Mycorrhizal fungi live in a mutually beneficial relationship with plants. In exchange for sugars that the plant makes during photosynthesis, the mycorrhizae send out long strands called …
Your veggie seedlings won’t stand a chance if you plant them in poor topsoil. Don’t worry, improving topsoil is really not that complicated. However, you do need to have a basic understanding of what you’re doing, or you’re going to make your life unnecessarily hard! What is the best topsoil for vegetable gardens? Topsoil for …
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the different types of soil? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! There’s no such thing as a stupid question, and this article will clarify the qualities of topsoil and potting soil for you. What’s the difference between topsoil and potting soil? Potting soil is used in pots and containers …
Sandy soil doesn’t retain moisture as effectively as loam or clay soil, so you need to manage it carefully. On the bright side, this means that you’re less likely to have problems with waterlogging or compaction in sandy regions, so all is not lost! The best plants for sandy soil will be resilient wildflowers. You …
Peat isn’t bad in itself, but it shouldn’t be used for gardening. This is because it’s much more valuable when it’s left in the ground, and there are plenty of great alternatives we can use in our gardens instead. Peat is a wonderful substance that our planet dearly needs. It is a carbon sink more …
When it comes to soil tests, there is a frightening amount of inaccurate and outdated information online. So be very careful before trusting a youtube video or blog post about this subject. But soil tests are essential if you want to understand the health of your garden. The problems that we see with the naked …
Dealing with clay soil can feel like a losing battle, but it doesn’t have to be that way. What’s the best way to amend clay soil? You can use biological amendments, such as compost, compost tea, and compost extract, to improve your clay soil. It might also be appropriate to mix gypsum or sand with …
Clay soil has a pretty bad reputation. We tend to think of it as waterlogged, compacted, and difficult to manage. However, it is a misunderstood soil type that can be utilized with a few simple tips. What is clay soil? Clay soil simply has more clay particles than other soils. It tends to be rich …
Topsoil and Garden might look the same, but there are some substantial differences beneath the surface. When soil scientists are talking about topsoil, we are typically referring to the top 12 to 25cm of the earth. But landscapers are talking about ‘fill dirt,’ which is designed to fill in holes, cover large areas, or help …