Gardeners obsess over that stuff in the ground. Year after year, we throw potions and powders at it to break it apart and build it up. But most people don’t know dirt about soil. That’s a big ...

Good gardens start from the ground up, but to be a good soil steward you have to understand some basic terminology. A few important terms associated with soil: Soil texture describes nothing more ...

You can test the soil texture of your garden before you begin amending it. The easiest method is the “feel test.” To estimate the texture you will need to moisten a small quantity of dirt ...

Understanding the differences between structural fill dirt and ... friable texture, which allows for excellent moisture retention and air circulation. This texture is crucial for root development, as ...

Garden soil improves the texture of natural soil. Most new gardens don’t have perfect growing conditions. Sandy soil dries ...

Instead, add sand to improve the soil texture. Adding that sand Gardeners who have left New Orleans and now garden on the north shore or Baton Rouge areas continually complain about the new soil ...

There's more to soil than just dirt / What's in the ground isn't dead -- there's a complex system of checks and balances. By Deborah K. Rich, Special to The Chronicle Sep 11, 2004.

Until you start gardening, “soil” and “dirt” are interchangeable. Once you’ve tried to grow anything by just digging a hole in the ground, you’ll notice that the ground is probably ...

Talk about “soil sealing” and how roads and suburbs are literally eating away at the ground beneath our feet. Soil sealing is one of the most shocking things I learned about.

Understanding the differences between structural fill dirt and topsoil is crucial for anyone involved in construction and landscaping projects. The success of these projects often depends on ...