Composting & Soil
Soil health, composting techniques, fertilization, and organic amendments.
How often should I replace cactus potting soil to avoid nutrient depletion?
In my experience with keeping cacti in containers, I’ve noticed that as they grow, the potting soil seems to lose its vitality over time. Living in a ...
Best Practices for Moisture Retention in Seed Starting Mix?
As I dive into spring planting, one challenge in my indoor garden has been achieving the right moisture levels in my seed starting mix. I’ve found tha...
When to Transition Seedlings from Seed Starting Mix?
I’ve been successfully germinating my seeds in a specialized seed starting mix, but I'm unsure when the best time is to transition them to larger cont...
What are the best practices for using a soil test kit?
I recently bought a soil test kit to help me improve my rooftop garden, but I’m not sure about the best practices for using it. I want to get the most...
Can I create my own potting soil for balcony plants?
I'm feeling pretty resourceful and want to try making my own potting soil for my balcony plants! I've been reading up on different components like pea...
Troubleshooting Seedling Diseases in My Starter Mix?
My seedlings have started showing signs of disease, and I think it might be related to the seed starting mix I used. I noticed a few of them developin...
Can I trust DIY soil test kits for accurate results?
I've been considering getting a DIY soil test kit for my rooftop garden but I'm a bit skeptical about their accuracy. I know many people in the forum ...
How to Customize Seed Starting Mix for Different Plant Types?
As someone who focuses on ornamental plants, I've noticed that different species seem to thrive better in specific soils. I've been using a standard s...
How do I choose potting soil for vertical gardening on my balcony?
I've been exploring vertical gardening options for my small balcony, and I'm really excited about it! However, I'm a bit confused about what type of p...
How to amend peat moss for enhanced aeration in my orchid substrate?
I'm currently refining my orchid care techniques, specifically focusing on substrate composition in my laboratory where I grow various hybrids. While ...
How do I determine the pH level of my potting soil?
I've been diving deep into nutrient management and I realize that the pH of my potting soil can significantly affect nutrient availability. My garden ...
What is the Best Way to Store Seed Starting Mix for Future Use?
I'm currently in Berlin, and I've been experimenting with different seed starting mixes for my ornamental plants. I've tried a few commercial mixes, b...
Is it okay to reuse potting soil from last year?
Last summer, I had some great success with my container plants, but I’m wondering if I can reuse the potting soil from those pots for this year’s plan...
What's the best way to enhance drainage in my cactus soil mix?
I'm really into indoor gardening here in San Francisco, and I've got a few different types of cacti I've been growing in my apartment. I want to make ...
What's the best way to refresh my mulch for ongoing disease management?
I’m dedicated to maintaining a disease-free environment in my organic flower garden, where I grow a variety of annuals and perennials. I have been usi...
How does soil pH affect my cactus health?
I'm diving deeper into plant nutrition, and I'm really intrigued by soil pH and its effect on my cacti! I’ve been growing them for a while in my indoo...
What types of kitchen scraps are best for optimizing compost for urban gardens?
In my quest to create nutrient-rich compost for my urban garden, I've been experimenting with various kitchen scraps. Living in a small apartment has ...
How can I troubleshoot the temperature issues in my compost bin?
In my quest to maintain a healthy compost bin that aligns with my gardening philosophy, I've been facing some challenges with temperature fluctuations...
How do I manage pests in my compost bin?
So, I've noticed some little critters around my compost bin lately, and I'm a bit worried about it. My vegetable patch is in a small suburban backyard...
What are the long-term effects of different mulches on soil fertility?
I'm deeply interested in understanding how different types of mulch impact soil fertility over time. As a retired botanist, I’ve been using organic ma...