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 ...

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 ...

I need to redo a portion of my lawn. The soil's pretty bad... about a half-inch of topsoil over heavy clay subsoil. I assume I'll need to improve the soil before replanting new grass. To preserve ...

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 full of clay or ...

When it comes to improving clay soil, sand is not the answer. “What do contractors make when they mix clay and sand? Concrete,” said Sacramento soil expert Steven Zien of Living Resources Co. “Adding ...

Clay soil can present several challenges to gardeners due to its density. One way to amend compacted clay soil is with a ...

With their iconic bright blooms and charm, coneflowers (Echinacea) are beloved by gardeners across the country. Appearing in a range of colors from sunset oranges to striking pinks, there are so many ...

CAPUTA, S.D.— Understanding your soil type is a vital tool to developing your farming and ranching practices. “Those properties of the soils dictate how we are going to basically utilize those soils ...

A question for Dan Gill: I have just built a 4-foot-by-8-foot raised garden bed. I will be using it for vegetables. What type of soil and how much do I need for that size garden? -- Lula Young Answer: ...