Give a Gift
Soil pH and Mineral Balance
If soil is the body of the garden, then pH is its heartbeat. Too acidic, and certain nutrients are locked away. Too alkaline, and others wash through unused. Striking the …
my soil
Water, Drainage, and Soil Health
Soil is more than dirt—it’s a living sponge. Too much water and it suffocates, too little and it starves. The art of gardening lies in finding that balance. Managing water …
Crop Rotation and Soil Balance
If mulch is the soil’s blanket and cover crops are its armor, then crop rotation is its compass. What you plant—and when—can either drain the soil or restore it. Rotation …
Cover Crops and Green Manure
If compost is the gardener’s black gold, then cover crops are the living green shield of the soil. They keep the earth covered, feed it while they grow, and give …
Composting A to Z
If healthy soil is the foundation of food gardening, compost is the mortar that holds it together. Compost feeds the microbes, balances nutrients, improves structure, and turns yesterday’s kitchen scraps …
Soil Care in Cold Climates (Zones 3–5)
Gardening in the northern zones is not for the faint of heart. The season is short, the winters are long, and the soil often feels like it has a will …
Winter: Rest, Reflect, Rebuild
The garden may look quiet under its blanket of snow or mulch, but don’t be fooled—your soil is still alive. Earthworms burrow deeper, microbes slow but don’t stop, and the …
In-Ground Gardens: Working with the Soil You’ve Got
There’s a certain romance to planting straight into the earth—no lumber to buy, no bags to haul, just you, a spade, and the promise of harvest. In-ground food gardens can …
Organic Principles for Food Gardeners
If you’ve ever bitten into a tomato straight from the vine and thought, “This tastes like sunshine,” you’ve already experienced the gift of organic soil care. Food gardeners know that …
Testing Your Soil: The Gardener’s Report Card
When I was in school, I used to dread report cards. They always told me more about where I had slacked off than where I had succeeded. But as a …
