Most gardeners know that success depends on many factors: You can’t grow a sun-loving plant in a shady area, for example. And a shrub that loves wet places won’t do well in dry soil. But the most ...

One of the most common questions gardeners have is how to fertilize specific plants. Many plants have individual nutrient needs, but for all plants it is impossible to guess at what you need without ...

Agricultural soil testing can be used for many purposes, but the primary use is to determine whether lime and/or fertilizer is needed, and, if so, how much. The first step in soil testing is to ...

If you’re dreaming of fresh tomatoes, crisp peppers or colorful flowers this year, there’s one simple step that can make all the difference: testing your soil. Think of it as ...

Is soil testing important? How can I get my soil tested? The first question is do you need a soil test? There are several situations where a soil test may be appropriate: 1. Landscaping a new home ...

Soil is a key ingredient in any backyard garden, so it’s important to make sure it’s the healthiest it can be. That’s why longtime gardeners – and soil science experts – recommend testing. Knowing the ...

FIND OUT HOW HEALTHY YOUR SOIL IS AND HOW TO HELP IT. A THRIVING GARDEN. STARTS BELOW THE SURFACE. A SOIL TEST CAN TELL YOU WHAT’S GOING ON UNDERGROUND. OLIVIA GOLDEN OF UMASS EXTENSION SHOWS US HOW ...

If you want your plants to grow big and healthy, soil quality matters. Even if you aren’t planning on growing a lush veggie garden, all plants need nutrients to grow, in addition to light and water.

Over three days in late March, four Los Angeles Times environment reporters and an editor fanned out across the Eaton and Palisades burn scars to collect 40 soil samples from residential properties: ...

Wildfire survivors across Los Angeles County are discovering that the most dangerous consequence from a wildfire isn’t always visible. Lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals could be hiding deep in ...

When farmers talk about their soil test results, the conversation often starts and ends with soil pH. While that one number is important to determining whether lime is needed, that insight is just a ...