Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Soil type affects how it retains water and nutrients.Photograph: iStock/Getty Images (Photograph: iStock/Getty Images) I often ...

There's no doubt about it; working in heavy clay soil is a pain in the back. It sticks to your shoes (and tools) and can be more challenging than gardening in sandier soil. However, despite all the ...

Q: The soil in my community garden plot is heavy clay. A neighboring gardener suggested adding leaf mulch and sand to improve its texture. How much sand and leaves should I add to attain a plot that ...

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 ...

Close-up of a man's hands holding wet fertile soil. - Elena Medoks/Getty Images You've probably read countless guides to improve heavy clay soil in your garden. You've even followed the steps exactly, ...

Improve challenging clay soil with these simple soil amendments to help your plants thrive. Heavy clay soil often has drainage problems and compaction, reducing plant growth. Amendments that enhance ...

We’re well into winter and that means spring and the gardening season is on the horizon. If you’ve got questions, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University ...

What is 'no-till' gardening? Is it better for my garden than traditional digging and tilling every year or not? What are the advantages of this method and how can I start using it? This method of ...

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Soil is soil, right? In some years, the dirt in your garden yields decent tomatoes and pretty marigolds while in other years nothing much grows. (Maybe ...

Fall is for planting and transplanting; however, it is often spring when people get the “itch” to plant. Just go by any place that sells plants and you will see the plants and potting soil headed out ...

Some gardens explode with life while others struggle, and the difference almost always starts underground. Soil holds secrets ...