Soils And Compost

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Hands in Soil
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

What Is Healthy Soil

Earthworms are an excellent indicator of healthy soil. Photo, Sippakorn Yamkasikorn, Pexels Dirt and soil are NOT the same thing. Dirt is a lifeless mixture of minerals, air, and water.
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Seedlings, sunflower, and pomegranates represent spring, summer, and fall in the garden/
UC Master Gardeners of Butte County: Page

Garden Guide Extras

The Guide is full of information to help you on your gardening journey. Besides a wide range of articles, the weekly journal layout includes information pertinent for that week. The appendix is a helpful reference on planting, insects, and orchards. Get tips on how to customize and to use it.
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Hands in Soil
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

How to Keep Your Soil Healthy

Once youve got healthy soil, keeping it that way is mostly about maintaining a desirable environment for the many creatures that live there. Here are some of the ways to keep your soil healthy. Allow leaves to decompose in the garden.
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Green onions planted in the garden
UC Master Gardener Program: Page

Soil

Healthy soil is the secret to a successful garden. Just like you need nutritious food to grow and thrive, your plants need healthy soil to produce beautiful flowers, delicious vegetables, and strong roots.
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Hands in Soil
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

Soil

Photo: Lukas, Pexals Soil is a naturally occurring mixture of inorganic and organic ingredients with a definite form, structure, and composition, that varies from one location to another.
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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? Clean Garden Beds Green Waste or…
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banner mulch
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

Mulch

Mulch is material placed on top of soil to cover and protect it, improve soil structure and fertility, and enhance the areas overall appearance.
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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.
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Banner Compost A
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Page

Compost

Composting is the process of turning kitchen and yard waste and other organic materials into a decomposed soil amendment. It is a natural process that provides beneficial microbes and is a key ingredient in organic gardening and farming.
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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.
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