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Can you recommend a hardy ground cover for a severely sloped area of my yard?That type of growing location is usually very hot and dry because of all the reflected heat combined with the slope. You might consider some of the following plants as ground cover: |
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How do I cultivate soil in the spring?First, you might want to have a soil test done. This will give you an idea of nutrient levels, pH and organic matter content. Recommendations for improving your soil are included with the results. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for information or purchase a test kit at a garden center. |
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How do I prepare soil for flower beds?Mix at least 4 inches of compost into the beds, blending it well with the native soil. In your area where rainfall can often be excessive, it is a good idea to build raised beds to facilitate good drainage. Building beds about 8 to 10 inches high will do this. |
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How do you correct the pH level of soil for high or low pH? What is neutral pH?The pH scale runs from 0 - 14, with 7 considered neutral. Numbers below 7 are acidic; numbers above alkaline. In much of the country, most plants grow in a range of 6.0 to 7.5. In addition, plants will generally tolerate some fluctuation in pH over time, with the "neutral" being a goal rather than an absolute. |
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I want to improve the soil in my lawn and have considered topdressing it. Is this a good idea and hoYour best option for improving the soil conditions in an existing lawn is a combination of aeration and topdressing. Aeration is the removal of cores of soil. This reduces the density of the soil. Topdressing is the application of organic material to the surface of the turf. The purpose of topdressing is to build an ideal soil layer over the years and to fill in low areas that have developed. Topdressing may need to |
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Is there anything I should do to the soil before planting?As a general rule for indoor plants, we recommend Miracle-Gro Potting Mix. For outdoor plants we recommend Miracle-Gro Garden Soils. For more information on individual plants, you may want to contact your Agricultural Extension Agent. Sometimes they have Master Gardeners on hand who can answer your questions. If not, you may want to contact a nursery or even your local library. Consult plant tags for soil information when you purchase your plants and shrubs. Or see our variety of soils for Miracle-Gro and Scotts product guides on soil. |
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Soil 101A quality lawn is only as good as its soil. And unlike a garden, it is difficult to see, feel and even work with the soil in a lawn. There are steps you can take to improve the soil in your lawn, but before you go putting shovel to earth, there are a few things to uncover about soil. |
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Soil PreparationWith very little effort, soil can be improved so your trees and shrubs will become established quickly, and grow stronger and healthier. Enhancing the soil offers several benefits: * Improving the porosity allows more water and nutrients into the root zone |
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Test and amend your soilYou will need to gather samples from several spots, since soil characteristics vary across your lawn. Take one random sample for each 1,000 square feet of lawn. To take a sample, dig 3 inches into the ground and scoop up a handful of soil with a trowel or use a soil probe. You should use clean tools to avoid contaminating your sample. Place your samples in a bucket and mix random samples thoroughly. Scoop out 1 cup of soil. This is your sample, ready for testing. |
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What are soil amendments? How should I add amendments?Soil amendments help improve soil properties. In fact, most gardens have soils that are often sandy or clay-like. Poor soil may dry into hard clods that small roots cannot penetrate, causing plants to grow slowly. By adding amendments such as compost, peat moss or well-rotted manure, you supply organic materials that will decompose, releasing nutrients and improving drainage. The improved soil texture is easier for fine roots to penetrate and get established. It's a good idea to amend the soil each season before new crops or flowers are planted. |
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