For optimum plant growth, it is recommended to test your soil pH and nutrient status every 3 to 5 years. You can take soil samples any time of the year, with fall preferable. That way, you can get your results
Call your local department of health and ask how to get your soil tested for lead. If the test is positive, you have a few options. You could reduce your risk by covering the area with thick grass, wood chips, or gravel; you could also pave it. Fencing off the area is another way...
A test is done when you want to know whether your soil is acidic, neutral or alkaline. Why does it matter? Most plants need a fairly neutral soil so they can retrieve all the nutrients from it that they require, but some are more fussy and may want it more acidic or alkaline. By te...
If you’re planting your garden directly into the ground, you’ll need to get rid of all the grass first. Why should you remove your grass? If the soil layer on top of the grass is not dense enough, grass shoots or weeds might pop through and disturb your garden. If you have a ...
These are really easy to make as well as super cheap! Supplies required are very minimal and normally found around the house. Get as fancy as you like! Some prefer regular square or rectangular shapes since they’re fuss-free to make, others prefer tubes (ideal to place behind a sore nec...
Jennie Hodgers disguised herself as a man and gained entry into some of the biggest Civil War battles on Southern soil. A few people, such as Ellen and William Craft, used the same trick to escape the South and win their freedom. As slaves living in Macon, Ga., Ellen and William Craft...
Ants are also very valuable for the garden. They collect a lot of dead insects and they aerate the soil. To better understand the value of ants in the garden seeSecrets of a Super Organism. For the most part, ants are not a big problem but for some reason gardeners want to get rid ...
Slugs and snails will leave a slimy secretion where they have been, so even if you can’t spot them, you’ll know they are there. Look for slime both on plants and surrounding soil. It is easiest to see the trails of slime first thing in the morning. ...
site, take the time tohave your soil testedto see if the pH is in the proper range (between 6.0 and 7.0 is best for most plants), and to be sure it’s not deficient in important nutrients. Testing can be done through your local Cooperative Extension Service or a private soil testing ...
It doesn't take much to build an effective DIY hydroponic garden, which nourishes plants with nutrient-rich water rather than soil. Kamron Sanders / HGTV Hydroponic gardening is a great way for those with limited space to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and even ornamental plants. While it soun...