Soil

Great gardens start with great soil. Explore our soil guides to understand what makes healthy soil, how to prepare and improve your garden beds, and techniques for maintaining fertile, living soil that supports strong plant growth year after year.


Articles in this Category

multiple raised garden bed vegetables in a sunny fenced garden with distant house

Raised Beds: A Complete Growing Guide

Learn everything about raised beds, from soil and materials to planting and maintenance, backed by university research.

Paul Reynolds July 28, 2026
residential brick house with pine straw mulch landscape, green lawn, and ornamental plants

Pine Straw: A Complete Guide to Mulch

Learn everything about pine straw mulch, from species types and benefits to application tips and cost, backed by university research.

Nguyen Minh July 27, 2026
wood chips garden mulch - natural brown organic material for landscaping and soil moisture retention

10 Best Uses for Wood Chips

Find the 10 best uses for wood chips in your garden and beyond, from mulching to composting, pathways, and more.

Paul Reynolds June 20, 2026
wooden compost bins in a garden with organic waste and thermometers

8 Best Compost Bins for Every Garden

Find the best compost bin for your garden. Compare tumblers, worm bins, and static bins to reduce waste and grow healthier plants.

Nguyen Minh June 19, 2026
compost tumbler garden with wooden bins filled with organic matter and greenery background

Compost Tumbler Guide for Beginners

Learn how to use a compost tumbler to turn kitchen scraps into rich soil. Science-backed tips, timelines, and maintenance advice.

Olivia Mitchell June 18, 2026
molly's aroid mix perlite potting soil mix bag with tropical plant and loose soil

Perlite for Plants: A Complete Guide

Learn how to use perlite for plants to improve drainage, aeration, and root health. Includes mixing ratios and grade tips.

Tina Carter June 9, 2026
bag of veryplants molly's aroid mix peat moss garden soil with alocasia plant and soil piles

Peat Moss: Benefits, Uses, and Alternatives

Learn about peat moss benefits, garden uses, environmental impact, and sustainable alternatives. A complete guide for gardeners.

Michael Sullivan May 29, 2026
hand in floral gardening glove planting a seed into potting soil within terracotta pots

Potting Soil Guide for Beginners

Learn everything about potting soil in this beginner guide covering ingredients, types, DIY recipes, and how to pick the right mix.

Paul Reynolds May 28, 2026
close-up of wheeled lawn fertilizer spreader actively dispersing granules on lush green grass

Best Lawn Fertilizer for a Greener Yard

Find the best lawn fertilizer for your grass type. Compare organic and synthetic options, application rates, and seasonal tips.

Benjamin Miller May 28, 2026
hands holding dark garden soil with earthworms, representing nutrient-rich worm castings garden soil

7 Proven Benefits of Worm Castings

Worm castings boost yields by 26% on average. See 7 proven benefits, application rates, and how to judge quality before you buy.

Kiana Okafor May 25, 2026
organized crop rotation garden rows with raised beds of vegetables and flowers, greenhouse, and red shed in the background

Crop Rotation: Guide to 38% Higher Yields

Use crop rotation to boost yields up to 38% and cut fertilizer costs. A proven crop rotation guide for gardens and farms.

Julia Anderson May 23, 2026
hands holding nutrient-rich healthy dark soil for gardening

Soil Organic Matter: The Essential Guide

Learn everything about soil organic matter in this essential guide covering benefits, management practices, and climate impact.

Kiana Okafor November 28, 2025
eroded farmland soil forming a deep ravine through cultivated crop rows under clear sky

10 Soil Erosion Prevention Methods That Work

Learn 10 soil erosion prevention methods that work to protect your land. See proven techniques from cover crops to terracing.

Kiana Okafor November 27, 2025
soil testing laboratory sample: gloved hands using a spatula to transfer soil into a test tube

5 Critical Insights into Soil Contamination Testing

Discover 5 critical insights into soil contamination testing, including EPA thresholds, sampling methods, and bioavailability testing.

Benjamin Miller November 20, 2025
multiple raised garden beds with vegetables in a sunny, fenced garden featuring trees and a distant house

The Ideal Raised Bed Depth for Your Garden

Learn the ideal raised bed depth for your garden. Get science-backed recommendations from university sources for every vegetable type.

Benjamin Miller November 19, 2025
terracing with retaining walls and erosion control plants on a hillside, featuring drainage solutions and multi-level seating

10 Best Erosion Control Plants for Your Landscape

Explore the 10 best erosion control plants for your landscape. Ground covers, shrubs, and grasses that stabilize slopes and prevent runoff.

Paul Reynolds November 18, 2025
veryplants soil-free plant care mix components (bark, pumice, lava, etc.) and benefits, specialized succulent soil mix for healthy plants

Ultimate Succulent Soil Mix Guide

Master the ultimate succulent soil mix guide with science-backed ratios, DIY recipes, and expert tips for thriving plants.

Tina Carter October 22, 2025
soil ph test kit components: color scale device, instruction sheet, green capsules, and tool on wooden surface

Soil pH Testing: The Complete How-To Guide

Master soil pH testing with this complete guide. Learn accurate testing methods, interpret results, and adjust soil pH for healthier plants.

Olivia Mitchell October 21, 2025