Soil Building

Soil building encompasses many different things, as the soil is its own living and changing ecosystem. While it's possible to grow plants without soil, the vast majority of gardeners use it -- soil is everywhere in all of its myriad forms.

Here, we explain all things soil-based as well as the things that are used to improve that soil. Our writing team provides insight into not just soil types and textures, but also composting, cover cropping for soil improvement, mulching for the myriad of benefits it offers, and so many more things.

We'll explore different organic fertilizers and how they work, techniques like the Back To Eden or no-till methods of gardening, and even delve into the many forms of mulch that can be used to reduce erosion and maintain soil moisture.

Organic gardeners know full well the value of having good soil, and the interplay between organic matter and mineral inputs is key to guaranteeing that you have a living, beneficial, and healthy soil food web. To many, the soil is an entirely new frontier waiting to be explored... and so we'll explore it along with you, step by step.

With a little know-how, you too can improve your existing soil in the yard, learn which amendments are necessary or unnecessary in your situation, and optimize for the best outcome for your specific plant types.

A person holding a potted conifer and fertilizer to fertilize plants August, doing so while wearing gloves with other plants appearing in the background

Fertilizer

7 Plants That Need a Boost of Fertilizer in August

While fertilizing in August isn’t the protocol for all plants, certain specimens benefit from a boost after a long season of active growth. Gardening expert Katherine Rowe explores select garden plants to fertilize this month as we look ahead to the cool season.

A gardener in high rubber boots pours wood chips from a large bag around an evergreen arborvitae, illustrating the dos and don'ts of applying mulch.

Mulch

9 Mulch Dos and Don’ts

Mulching is a bit more complicated nowadays than it used to be! There are many different options to choose from, and you may wonder which type is right for your garden. Wonder no more! Professional landscaper Jerad Bryant shares nine mulch dos and don'ts.

Close up of a gardener's hands holding vermicompost mixed with long red worms, showing the process of beginning vermicomposting.

Soil Improvement

A Beginner’s Guide to Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting harnesses the power of worms to convert waste into nutritious amendments for the home garden. Whether indoors or outside, worms are an excellent way to recycle and repurpose with little effort on your part. Use this beginner’s guide to start vermicomposting at home.

A woman's hand holds a banana peel next to a lushly blooming rose bush featuring lush, double, soft pink flowers among green, jagged foliage.

Fertilizer

Should You Use Banana Peels to Fertilize Roses?

Garden folklore is filled with home remedies and DIY solutions that promise miraculous results. Banana peels as rose fertilizer is one that refuses to disappear. Gardening expert Madison Moulton examines the science behind this popular garden hack and explains why your roses deserve better nutrition.

Small dark wool pellets scattered across the soil surface, contrasting with the earth’s texture and ready to enrich the bed.

Fertilizer

Wool Pellets: Organic Fertilizer That Transforms Your Garden

A surprising garden amendment, wool pellets, turn agricultural waste into premium fertilizer with a host of other garden benefits. This sustainable alternative also supports farmers and improves soil health naturally. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains everything you need to know about wool pellet fertilizer.

A gardener in yellow gloves puts kitchen scraps into a green compost bin full of soil and food scraps using a garden trowel, showing how composting can be done in a small space.

Composting

Composting Solutions for Small Spaces: 7 Expert Tips

No yard is too small for compost! Whether you have a balcony, backyard, or an empty room, you can convert old waste into this humus-rich amendment. Gather your kitchen scraps and get ready to compost with these seven expert tips from backyard composter Jerad Bryant.