How to Know If Your Soil Is Good or Bad – The Easy Way To know if your soil is good or bad, evaluate its composition, texture, pH levels, and drainage. Check for moisture retention and nutrient levels by observing plant health, color, and growth. Dark, crumbly soil with earthworms signals fertility, while poor drainage…
9 Things Nobody Tells You About Gardening Tools When it comes to gardening tools, ergonomics are key; tools with padded grips and adjustable handles can reduce strain and improve comfort. Invest in high-quality materials to guarantee durability and performance. Regular maintenance, like cleaning and oiling, keeps tools functioning well. Multi-functional tools save space and enhance…
This Is the Easiest Way to Start Composting Today The easiest way to start composting today is by gathering kitchen scraps like vegetable peels and coffee grounds, along with yard waste such as leaves and grass clippings. Create a balanced mix of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials in a compost bin or pile. Turn…
What I Learned From My First Year of Organic Gardening In your first year of organic gardening, you’ll quickly learn the critical roles of soil health and composting. Nourishing your soil with organic matter boosts beneficial microorganisms that enrich plant growth. Choosing the right plants, based on your region and companion planting, enhances garden vigor…
What Plants Thrive Together. Try These 5 Combos If you’re looking to maximize your garden’s potential, try these five plant combos. Pair tomatoes with basil to boost flavor and repel pests. Combine carrots and onions to deter carrot flies and promote healthy growth. Use beans alongside corn for nitrogen fixation and structural support. Marigolds can…
Your Soil Is Trying to Tell You Something – Are You Listening. Your soil’s color—dark for nutrient-rich organic matter or gray for poor drainage—reveals key health clues. Feel its texture to spot sand’s grittiness, silt’s smoothness, or clay’s stickiness, and check for compaction that blocks water infiltration. Watch drainage patterns for waterlogging risks, pH levels…
You’re Probably Pruning Your Plants at the Wrong Time You’re probably pruning your plants at the wrong time, which can stress them and cut yields by up to 50%, like with tomatoes. Tailor your schedule to plant types—annuals need precise timing, while perennials thrive on seasonal cuts, such as spring for new growth or fall…
You’re Not Pairing Your Plants Right (And It Shows) If you’re not pairing your plants right, you’re probably stunting growth by ignoring soil needs or overcrowding, which invites pests and reduces yields. Pair tomatoes with basil to repel insects and enhance flavor, or marigolds with roses for better soil health. Watch for signs like stunted…
You Only Need These 3 Tools for a Thriving Garden You’ll transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem with just three tools: a shovel for effective soil prep, pruning shears for precise cuts, and a watering can for optimal hydration. Use your shovel to dig, turn, and aerate soil, enhancing structure and microbial activity. With…
Why Your Plants Keep Dying (And How to Fix It) If your plants are dying, you’re probably overwatering them, leading to root rot and yellow leaves, or underwatering, causing wilting and brittle foliage. Check soil moisture before watering—only do it when the top inch is dry—and use pots with drainage holes to avoid soggy conditions….
