CORVALLIS – Adding organic matter is the best way to improve nearly all kinds of soils. If you’re unsure if your soil needs amendments, take note if it dries and cracks in summer, drains slowly or is ...

Looking after your soil’s health is the most important task a gardener can have. Your soil is what feeds and waters your plants. Winter is a good time to start planning ways to improve your soil.

A mound of compost with a hoe sticking out and a gardener's boots in the background - Annick Vanderschelden Photography/Getty Images So you've got your compost ready for the next gardening season.

Composting involves decomposing organic materials to create nutrient-rich soil. A compost pile needs a balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials. Maintaining proper moisture, ...

Why pay to throw away leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps and other household organic waste when you could turn it into superb soil? That’s the idea of composting – improving your lousy soil while ...

Most gardeners do some composting. Some folks compost anything that once was part of a living plant, often mixing it with barnyard waste; they turn and aerate their piles and make terrific compost in ...

Used coffee grounds don't need to go in the garbage. Naturally, you can add them to compost, but some plants actually love grounds in a variety of formats.

Gardeners, gear up for our own version of Days of the Dead. Like the three days devoted to remembering and honoring departed loved ones, we focus on remembering the garden by clearing out and cleaning ...

Every gardener wants the best soil for their garden. How do you know if your soil is "good"? What do you add to make it good? When you go to a plant nursery or the gardening section of a big box store ...

Have you ever stood in front of the bagged soil products displayed at your local nursery supply store and wondered, “Which one should I buy?” You might see bags labeled potting soil, planting mix, ...