Soil pH is a very important factor in plant health – if the soil is too acidic or too alkaline, plants will be unable to absorb nutrients, and your lawn or garden won't grow. If the results of a soil test show that your soil's pH needs adjusting, read on to find out what you can do to fix it. Read in full.

Planting seeds at the right depth is even more important than spacing seeds correctly. The proper depth to plant seeds varies depending on what you’re growing, but an easy way to gauge the planting depth is by using your index finger as a ruler. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Find out how to conduct your own simple soil test at home using common household ingredients, such as baking soda and vinegar, to see if the pH of the soil in your yard or garden is acidic or alkaline. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Paul asks, “Our hollies are showing signs of iron deficiency. What should we do?”

Iron deficiency, also called iron chlorosis or lime chlorosis, starts with a yellowing of the leaves in between the dark green veins, resulting in a spidery look. Read on to find out how to diagnose and treat iron deficiency in garden plants. Read in full.

If water drains (percolates) away from plant roots too quickly, the plants will parch even if they're getting regular water. And if water doesn't drain, many plants will drown and rot from the roots up. A perk test is a great way to measure drainage in your lawn or garden soil. Read on to find out how to do an easy, DIY soil drainage perk test in your yard.

Karen asks, “The soil around our fountain stays wet, and the vines we plant soon die. What should we do?”

Wet areas are tough for growing most plants. Soggy soil can cause plants to rot, and the overload of water and humidity messes up the balance of air and nutrient circulation around the plants. Here are some tips for growing plants around a fountain. Read in full.

Roger asks, “I put fertilizer on my lawn, and a few days later I had patches of dead grass! Will I have to replant, or will the grass come back?”

Over application of chemical fertilizer is one of the quickest ways to damage or kill the grass in your lawn. Read on to find out what to do if your lawn has fertilizer burn. Read in full.

After loading my cart with flowers and bushes at the garden center, I head straight for the soil aisle to pile on bags of manure, soil conditioner, and all the wonderful things that I believe will make my new plants happy. But is amending the soil around garden plants really a good idea? Read on for the scoop on how to – or not to – improve the soil in your garden. Read in full.

Anita asks, “My front lawn is mostly weeds, but I'd like to have grass. Where do I start?”

Conquering a weedy lawn is quite a challenge, but you can be successful if you keep one thing in mind: weeds are a signal that your grass isn't happy. Read on to find out what you need to know to transform your lawn from weeds to grass. Read in full.

What's the best soil pH for my yard and garden?

pH is a measure of acidity (or alkalinity) in your soil, and it's a very important factor in plant health. The ideal soil pH can vary depending on the type of plant, but generally a slightly acidic soil (6.0-6.9 pH) is considered best. Read on to find out more. Read in full.