When we are having problems with our lawns or plants, the first thing that comes to mind is often that they are caused by a pest or disease. We often overlook that it could be a problem with the soil.

Dear Neil: Can you tell me what is causing my shrubs’ leaves to turn brown and die, and what I can do to save them? Answer: This is iron deficiency. It begins with leaves that are light green, then ...

Q. I’m trying to grow annual vinca in Zone 5. I got some this year and planted in early June. They are in a spot that faces west and gets sun all afternoon. Just after planting we had a lot of rain.

Purdue Extension Educators frequently encourage homeowners to get soil tests when they want to grow new plants in an area, or try to diagnose what’s wrong with plants currently growing. One key ...

The key to healthy productive roses is good, fertile soil. A healthy soil retains water and also drains well. It contains organic matter, adequate nutrients and an optimal pH. This last component is ...

For iced tea, the question is “sweet or unsweet?” For garden soil, it’s “alkaline or acid?” The answer can make a big difference in the health and growth of your plants, according to Sharon Yiesla, ...

January is not just a month for cozy sweaters and hot cocoa—it’s turning into a revelation for North Carolina gardeners.

Organic nitrogen is important for plant growth, but too much of it can cause a range of problems. Over-fertilization, improper composting, or runoff from nearby agricultural areas can all contribute ...

If you have been fertilizing your garden regularly for several years in a row, it’s possible your soil may need lime. Lime is a calcium-based soil amendment that farmers and gardeners use to raise ...

Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity. On the pH scale, a value of 7.0 is neutral, pH values less than 7.0 are acidic, and pH values greater than 7.0 are alkaline. Homeowners and ...

31.9910% OFF$28.79 at Amazon Here’s how the My Soil test kit works: Dig up some soil from the area you want to plant, and send it off for a professional laboratory test. The kit provides all you need, ...