To be a successful gardener, one needs to have a basic understanding of the soil which you are tending, as well the factors which affect the fertility, pH and quality of the soil. This is the case ...

If you have been fertilizing your garden regularly for several years in a row, it’s possible your soil may need lime. Lime is a calcium-based soil amendment that farmers and gardeners use to raise ...

Soil pH or soil reaction is an indication of the acidity or alkalinity of soil and is measured in pH units. Soil pH is defined as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. The pH scale ...

Applying lime when lime is not needed may have disastrous results in your garden, landscape and lawn. Determining soil pH is important in gardening. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being ...

The key to healthy productive roses is good, fertile soil. A healthy soil retains water and also drains well. It contains organic matter, adequate nutrients and an optimal pH. This last component is ...

If you have highly acidic soil, some plants will suffer due to a lack of accessible nutrients. Fortunately, amending with garden lime is a straightforward way to adjust pH levels. Most plants prefer ...

Small changes in pH levels can affect how well plants are able to reproduce and take up nutrients. These changes can also alter how exposed they are to soluble pollutants such as aluminum. Some plants ...

Gardening columnist Elinor Teague gives advice on how to correct and amend soil conditions. JOHN WALKER Fresno Bee file photo Nitrogen levels are naturally low in almost all California soils and ...

Conducting a soil test in December is a crucial step to understand your garden's nutrient profile and pH levels. Soil testing kits are readily available and can provide valuable insights into the ...

This is an affordable, simple first step toward a lawn you'll be proud of.