All soil-soil-building articles

garden fundamentals

Good Soil Means Good Vegetables

Vegetables need good soil. Roots will grow deeply and soak up nutrients for healthy, productive plants. Here is how to prepare your garden soil.

diy garden projects

How to Build a Super Easy Raised Bed

Make this 4x8 easy raised bed. The design uses easy-to-find materials. Get our video and instructions to learn how to build this raised bed garden.

diy garden projects

Super Simple Concrete Block Garden

Raised beds are a great way to get around the problem of poor soil, but what if you don’t have any carpentry skills to build the actual bed? No worries! Skip the wood and put together a concrete block garden.

garden fundamentals

Raised Bed Gardening Tips

What is a raised bed garden? It’s an enclosed planting area on top of the ground that offers one huge benefit: You never have to deal with poor soil, because you control what goes in the bed. What's more, because raised beds don't require planting in rows, you'll actually be able to fit more plants in than you would in a traditional garden of the same size — so you'll eventually end up with a bigger harvest.

diy garden projects

How to Build a Raised Bed

Build a sturdy, beautiful 4x8 raised garden bed in an afternoon to grow your favorite vegetables and herbs. Raised beds are an easy way to garden successfully.

diy garden projects

3 Easy Ways to Build a Raised Bed Garden

Perhaps you’re a new gardener, growing veggies and herbs for the first time. Maybe you’ve grown your own food for years, but your in-ground soil isn’t great, or you just need a bit more growing space. Whatever the reason, here’s one option worth considering: a raised garden bed. Here are three simple ways to build one.

diy garden projects

How to Make a Raised Bed from Bales of Straw

A straw bale raised bed is an inexpensive method for creating a raised bed. Perfect for new gardeners, frugal gardeners, or gardeners needing more space.

how to grow

Growing Fennel

Fennel is a beautiful herb to have in the garden. Feathery and fern-like, it adds both color and texture to your plantings. It also boasts a strong, licorice-like flavor. Fennel is a tender perennial, which means the plant may make it through the winter in warm areas, but is sensitive to cold. Most gardeners grow fennel as an annual.

garden fundamentals

Rotating Vegetable Crops for Garden Success

Home vegetable gardens will benefit as much from rotating vegetable crops as big farms do. Learn what crop rotation means and how to make it work in your garden.

garden fundamentals

Organic Gardening for Beginners

Growing an organic garden is easier than you might think. Just follow the tips we’ve put together in this “organic gardening for beginners” guide and you'll soon be on your way to a delicious harvest.

garden fundamentals

Rooftop Gardening

It can be difficult to grow a garden in an urban environment. Garden writer Ellen Spector Platt shares her tips for rooftop gardening.

garden fundamentals

How to Choose Your Garden Type

Debating whether to plant an in-ground, raised bed, or container garden? We’ve outlined the pros and cons to help you choose the best garden type for you.

garden fundamentals

How to Plant an In-Ground Garden (It’s Easy!)

It’s easier than you think toplant an in-ground garden. Get tips for choosing the location and plants, creating thedesign, building the soil, and more.

how to grow

Growing Cucumbers

Learn expert tips for growing cucumbers in your vegetable garden. Cucumber is a relatively easy plant to grow and really easy to eat!

garden fundamentals

How to Plant a Fall Garden

If you're new to gardening, you might not realize that the growing and harvesting season can extend into fall. Learn how you can stretch your growing season.

garden fundamentals

How to Start a Vegetable Garden

When it comes to starting a vegetable garden, 3 things are absolutely crucial for success: lots of sun, good soil, and plenty of water.

garden fundamentals

9 Mistakes New Gardeners Make—and How to Avoid Them

Every new gardener makes mistakes, but don’t be discouraged! We’re here to help so you can enjoy growing your own food without getting frustrated. Read on to learn some of the most common mistakes made by beginner gardeners—and how to avoid them.

garden fundamentals

How to Grow Tomatoes in Hot Weather

Sizzling summer temperatures can bring your previously productive tomato plants to a screeching halt. When days hit 85°F to 90°F and nights hover above 75°F, tomato flowers often fail to pollinate, then drop -- which in turn puts new fruit production on hold.

diy garden projects

DIY Veggie Garden Trellis

A trellis can be a great structure for keeping climbing vegetables like peas, pole beans, and cucumbers off the ground. It also can be a head-turning addition to your garden landscape.

garden fundamentals

Worm Composting 101

Discover what worm composting is and how you can use it to help your garden. We teach you how to make the bins, how to harvest worm castings, and more.

garden fundamentals

Select a Good Site

When beginning a garden, choose your location carefully. A good location will include sunlight, drainage, and access to water. Read on for how to pick your spot.

garden ideas inspiration

Meet the Urban Gardeners

Urban gardeners use salvaged materials and creativity to build a mini-farm in their backyard. Learn from their experience to grow your own urban garden.

diy garden projects

DIY: How to Build a Bamboo Trellis Tower

Here’s a simple, beautiful way to support tall-growing tomato (aka "indeterminate tomato") plants: a Bamboo Trellis Tower, brainchild of horticulturist and garden designer Charlie Thigpen. Bamboo can be surprisingly easy to find, as it grows vigorously and often a little too enthusiastically for the person on whose property it resides.

garden fundamentals

How to Create a Compost Pile

Any plant material is prime for composting. Whether you choose a compost bin, compost pile, or other composting method, composting is a great way to recycle kitchen and garden waste. Plus, nutrient-rich compost is great for your garden.