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All About Soils

Watch our animated video with an overview of the fascinating world of soil science, and learn how to build healthy soil for a flourishing and abundant garden.

More About Soils

How Much Soil Do I Need?

Our handy Soil Calculator does the math for you. Simply put in the dimensions and depth of your raised bed or planter and the calculator determines how much soil you need. You'll find lots of tips and techniques for growing in raised beds, too.

Here's the Dirt: Common Soil Terms

Trying to decipher all the letters and numbers on the back of potting soil bags and fertilizer bottles? We break down some common terminology so you can choose what's best for your garden.

Sand? Clay? Loam? What Type of Soil Do You Have?

Learn how to determine your Soil Texture with a simple "mudshake." Find out why soil texture matters, and what you can do to improve less-than-ideal soil. This article is excerpted from Digging into Soil, a Garden Practicum, by KidsGardening.org.

Building Healthy Soil

Find out what's happening in your garden soil, from the mineral content to the organic matter to the soil pH. Find out what you can do to understand and improve your particular soil.

Fertilizer Basics

Don't let your plants go hungry! Plants that have the proper amount and type of nutrients are healthier, more productive and more beautiful. This article covers the basics of why and how to fertilize your garden.

Last updated: 07/17/2023