Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Soil type affects how it retains water and nutrients.Photograph: iStock/Getty Images (Photograph: iStock/Getty Images) I often ...

Sandy soil has its advantages. It drains well, is easy to dig in, and warms up faster in spring than clay soils. Choosing the right plants for sandy soil is important, though, since it doesn't hold on ...

Successful spring gardening starts long before the plants go into the ground. In Eastern Idaho, gardeners commonly work with silty to sandy soils. Soil texture influences the way water, nutrients, ...

SLUG STANDOFF: With wet weather comes a persistent garden pest that requires some creative control techniques. Photo by Chloe Lieberman Happy summer, lovely readers! After a fairly cool spring, we’ve ...

Most gardeners will tell you that soil is one of the most important aspects of gardening. As a professional gardener, improving soil health, drainage, and texture is a constant consideration in my ...

There is a difference between mulching and amending the soil. Mulching involves placing a material such as pine straw, leaves or pine bark on top of the soil. Amending the soil implies the ...

Key Points High-quality soil should have good drainage and tilth, a dark color, a pleasant smell, and signs of life.Avoid soil that is compacted, visibly sandy, and shows no signs of active soil ...

Place a cup of soil into a jar, top it off with water, and shake vigorously. Allowing the mixture to settle entirely, you’ll ...

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Most gardeners know that success in the garden depends on many factors: You can’t grow a sun-loving plant in a shady area, for example. And a shrub ...