Posts Tagged ‘soil’
How To Amend Your Soil
Good soil is the basis of every landscape success. Most of us are not blessed with good soil – we have lots of clay, which holds WAY too much water. Here is what I do to build the soil in...
How to Soil Test
If the word TEST gives you the fantods, contemplate a test that is simple to take, doesn’t reflect on your intelligence and has no wrong answers. Consider performing a soil test on your landscape. Click here to order a soil...
How To Make Well-Drained Soil
I was explaining to someone recently that flowering cherry trees absolutely require well-drained soil to succeed. “Well, that’s not a problem,” they responded, “I’m planting on a slope, so water drains right past it.” “Sloping soil is usually poorly drained,”...
How to Make Your Own Potting Soil
Good General Growing Mix: Cornell “Peat-lite” 4 qts. Vermiculite (#2 size)4 qts Shredded Peat Moss1 T. Limestone Dust1 T. Superphosphate2-4 T. 5-10-15 Soluble Fertilizer It will mix easier if you dampen the peatmoss first. Fertilizer is necessary about every 2-3...
There is Power in the Mud!
My garden friend Ed emailed me with what he thought was a terrible mistake (“an unpardonable sin” in his words) that he’d made in his garden, having mis-heard something I’d said on radio. Fortunately it was only a miscommunication, probably...
Why Soil Test
My twelve-year old nephew has been named “Ultimate Geographer” by his school system in Arkansas. Now he will compete with others in his region to attend the National Geography Bee in May. Last year’s national winner was only ten years...
How to Build a Propagation Soil Warmer
My father straightened nails and re-used them. Some nails on our chicken farm had first been bought during the Hoover administration and had been used over and over since. Innumerable gallon cans full of nails, bolts, screws and washers were...
Daphne – Special Soil
The smell from the daphne shrubs growing near my front door has been intoxicating this year. I have two there, in front of three small gardenias, assuring my family of a perfumed entry each day for months. I have three...
Soil Temperatures for Planting
Q: Is there a general rule for when soil temps reach plantable levels for gardens? i.e.: when outside temp is steady 70 degrees, etc.? A: Here is a reference from the Arizona Master Gardener manual that may help: Seeds for...
