global_soil_week
mg-logo
UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties

Compost & Soil Preparation

Good gardeners grow good soil. It's the soil that grows the garden. 

 

Primary Image
compost leaves
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

Compost & Other Soil Amendments

Is your garden soil not quite what you want it to be? Need to make some improvements? Soil amendments may be a solution. Before making any additions or changes to your soil, its good to know what soil amendments are and how they may work in your soil.
View Page
UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County: Page

Soil Tips

Garden Help > Monthly TipsGood nutrient balance makes healthy garden soils. It is beneficial to get soil tested by a state-certified laboratory. Below is a collection of our monthly tips that relate to garden soils.To-DosWhat to PlantTo-Dos: SoilBone Meal for Bulbs? Green Waste or Compost Mulch Bare Soil…
View Page
UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County: Page

What's In Your Soil

Learn why soil testing is essential for healthy plants. Discover how to assess and improve soil quality for optimal growth in your garden or farm.
View Page
Primary Image
Banner compost
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

Benefits of Compost

Compost benefits the garden as well as the environment. Photo: Pixabay.com The process of composting is good for your garden and for the environment. Home composting allows gardeners to recycle organic material while conserving landfill space and reducing reliance on fossil fuel.
View Page
Primary Image
Garden soil held in open hands
UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County: Page

Soil Testing

Soil testing isn't always needed, but when you want to have one done, this page provides options about how to do it.
View Page
Primary Image
banner mulch
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

Applying Mulch

?Where to use mulch ?What to use ?When and how often to apply ?How much do I need ?How to apply ?
View Page
Primary Image
Banner Compost A
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

How To Use Compost

Compost is multi-purpose. It can be used as mulch, topdressing, soil amendment, or as an organic fertilizer. Adding compost to the garden is one of the best ways to improve soil and support plant health.
View Page
Primary Image
Beads of water on a green leaf, Canva image
UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County: Page

Watering Hydrophobic Soil

Many potting soils become hydrophobictending to repel waterwhen they dry out, and are difficult to re-wet. Gardeners may see water draining out the bottom of a pot and assume that means that the soil is saturated.
View Page
Primary Image
Hands in Soil
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

How To Evaluate Soil

Soils vary greatly from one place to another, even in your own garden. No matter how much work you do in your garden, all may be in vain if the quality of your soil is poor. Listed below are some things you can do to get to know your soil.
View Page
Primary Image
Banner Compost B
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

Compost Troubleshooting

Use this table to turn around problems you may be encountering with your composting system.
View Page