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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.

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.

Close-up of a gardener's hand holding a handful of fresh, wet black compost for fast soil improvement.

Soil Improvement

11 Ways to Improve Your Soil Quality, Fast

Improving your soil doesn’t have to be a chore! Think of it more as a way of life. With consistent changes, you can shift poor soils into fertile, rich, and crumbly ones. Join landscaper Jerad Bryant to discover 11 quick, easy ways to improve soil quality.

Using compost as mulch, a garden bed with various plants and crops covered with a layer of dark brown compost and with a pitchfork stuck into the soil.

Mulch

9 Reasons to Use Compost as Mulch This Year

Mulch is essential for a healthy garden. It protects, insulates, and feeds the soil, creating an ideal home for budding crops. No matter the plants you’re growing, applying compost as mulch has a wealth of benefits for your yard. Join native plant gardener Jerad Bryant to discover nine top reasons for using it.

An overhead shot of a person's hand holding different materials, showcasing compost vs. fertilizer

Soil Improvement

Compost Vs. Fertilizer: Differences and Garden Uses

Compost and fertilizer benefit the garden, though they have different applications! Use one, the other, or both—which to apply depends on your garden’s soil and which crops you’re growing. Learn the differences and uses of fertilizers and compost alongside seasoned grower Jerad Bryant.

A large pile of dark brown horse manure with a lumpy structure in a sunny garden, showing how manure can be harmful to a garden.

Fertilizer

7 Ways Manure Can Harm Your Garden: What to Look For

Manure, though smelly, is a wonderful amendment for the landscape. Whether you’re using cow or chicken manure, there are efficient ways to implement the stuff without harming plants, animals, and yourself! Watch for these seven ways manure can harm the garden, and learn how to use it best.

A female gardener in rubber boots spreads compost over a green lawn using a large old garden fork.

Soil Improvement

Compost for Grass: How to Use Compost On Your Lawn

Compost is versatile and beneficial in the garden! Feeding your lawn is one of its many uses. Some tools make this easy, though you can spread the stuff by hand in small areas. Follow along and learn how to use your compost on grasses alongside seasoned landscaper Jerad Bryant.