Clay soil is difficult for many gardeners, since it tends to drain poorly and is difficult for plant roots to penetrate. Here ...

I would like to improve the heavy clay soil in my vegetable garden. A friend suggested that I rototill several inches of sand to improve the drainage. Is that a good way to improve clay soil?

These methods improve drainage and boost plant health. There are many different types of garden soil, and they all have their pros and cons. One of the more challenging soil types to work with is clay ...

Gardeners are often accused of talking to their plants. But let me let you in on a secret: we should be talking to our soil ...

Since it’s just about Kentucky Derby season, that means it’s also peak gardening season. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this is the most common time for dipping a toe in that first ...

We’re well into winter and that means spring and the gardening season is on the horizon. If you’ve got questions, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University ...

It’s finally vegetable gardening season! Your question is one that is often asked by beginning gardeners. Here are a few tips to build healthy soil. Start by choosing a site that is in full sun. Most ...

Every gardener wants the best soil for their garden. How do you know if your soil is "good"? What do you add to make it good? When you go to a plant nursery or the gardening section of a big box store ...

Soil is soil, right? In some years, the dirt in your garden yields decent tomatoes and pretty marigolds while in other years nothing much grows. (Maybe squirrels are to blame.) Not so much. There are ...

What’s the best soil to use? Whether you’re gardening with containers, in raised beds or digging holes in the ground, you can’t go wrong with organic potting soil. With its loamy texture, ...

A lush Hawaiian landscape in acidic volcanic soil is proof enough that plants can thrive in all sorts of soil. While too much acidity can be deadly for plants, many prefer moderately acidic soil with ...

Gardeners are often accused of talking to their plants. But let me let you in on a secret: we should be talking to our soil ...