Learning about the soil in your beds is important to successful gardening. Soil is the primary source of water and mineral nutrients for plants and must also provide sufficient oxygen to the root ...

If you’re planning a new bed for perennials, groundcovers, shrubs or trees to plant next spring, the path to success starts with a good foundation. It’s easier to improve soil before plants are in ...

Winter is here, but gardening questions keep coming in to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service. OSU Extension faculty and Master Gardeners ...

This undated photo shows echinacea plants in New Paltz, N.Y. Echinacea is one of many flowers that grows well even in dry summers. (Lee Reich via AP) Is your summer a summer of drought? No need to sit ...

Usually mid-August is when I begin amending the garden soil for a fall planting of one of my favorite crops: garlic. It takes at least nine months for garlic to grow from small clove to full-sized ...

Are we done yet? Can we just be done? I’m hearing this from some disgruntled gardeners who are weary of watering for less-than-stellar results. If you feel like tossing in the trowel, that’s very ...

If you are thinking about planting blueberries next spring, now is the time to begin preparing your planting beds. Blueberries need acidic soil with a pH of about 4.5 to 5.5. Our Inland Northwest ...

This winter reminds me of the winter of 1991. There was almost no rain all winter. But then, on the vernal equinox, the skies opened and it rained for days. By the rain-year’s end, we had received ...

Q: I am starting a garden and have several questions. Should I have my garden tested for toxins if I don’t know the history of pesticide use on the site? Should I test for nutrients and pH level? What ...

Growing a beautiful landscape starts with the soil under your feet. The best place to start building a healthy soil foundation is with a soil test. The results will tell you what type and how much, if ...

This is an affordable, simple first step toward a lawn you'll be proud of.