Bonnie Plants > Learn to Grow Library

If You Can’t Beat It, Raise It

Raised beds in a garden. If wet, soggy soil or heavy, rocky clay keeps your garden from thriving, build a raised bed. Literally a bed above the ground

Compost Happens

Compost, or decomposed organic matter, is called black gold because it is rich in nutrients and it promotes soil microbes that aid plant growth. Make a habit of adding compost to the soil each planting season. You can buy bagged compost, but the best source is homemade. There are as many ways to make compost as there are gardeners, but here is one easy way. Create a free-standing compost heap (literally a pile out of sight), or use a compost bin. There are several commercial bins available, or you can build your own out of wire mesh fencing and lumber and wire fencing to allow air in.

Good Soil Means Good Vegetables

Vegetables need good soil. If the soil is poor, the vegetables will be, too. In rich, soft soil, roots grow deeply and soak up nutrients for healthy, productive plants. Here is how to prepare the site.

Garden Clean-up

A little gardening clean-up helps prevent problems by eliminating the places where insects and diseases linger from season to season. Practice these five habits of highly effective gardeners!

Why Does pH Matter?

pH testing kit will help determine what you should use to prime your soil.

All soils have a measure of acidity called pH that affects the soil’s release of essential nutrients to plants. Vegetables need a soil pH between 6.2 and 6.8 (most herbs prefer a pH near 7.0, which is called neutral). If lower or higher, needed nutrients can get tied up in soil chemistry, making them less available to plants. So, pH matters for vegetable plants to grow their best.

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Learn & Grow Library

If You Can’t Beat It, Raise It

Compost Happens

Good Soil Means Good Vegetables

Garden Clean-up

Why Does pH Matter?

Find Frost Dates

What's Your Garden Zone?

Get Bonnie's Newsletter

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	Learn & Grow Library You are here: Soil & Soil Building If You Can’t Beat It, Raise It If wet, soggy soil or heavy, rocky clay keeps your garden from thriving, build a raised bed. Literally a bed above the ground Read More.. Compost Happens Compost, or decomposed organic matter, is called black gold because it is rich in nutrients and it promotes soil microbes that aid plant growth. Make a habit of adding compost to the soil each planting season. You can buy bagged compost, but the best source is homemade. There are as many ways to make compost as there are gardeners, but here is one easy way. Create a free-standing compost heap (literally a pile out of sight), or use a compost bin. There are several commercial bins available, or you can build your own out of wire mesh fencing and lumber and wire fencing to allow air in. Read More.. Good Soil Means Good Vegetables Vegetables need good soil. If the soil is poor, the vegetables will be, too. In rich, soft soil, roots grow deeply and soak up nutrients for healthy, productive plants. Here is how to prepare the site. Read More.. Garden Clean-up A little gardening clean-up helps prevent problems by eliminating the places where insects and diseases linger from season to season. Practice these five habits of highly effective gardeners! Read More.. Why Does pH Matter? All soils have a measure of acidity called pH that affects the soil’s release of essential nutrients to plants. Vegetables need a soil pH between 6.2 and 6.8 (most herbs prefer a pH near 7.0, which is called neutral). If lower or higher, needed nutrients can get tied up in soil chemistry, making them less available to plants. So, pH matters for vegetable plants to grow their best. Read More.. Previous Page \| Next Page	Find Frost Dates See color-coded maps for first and last frosts in your area. What's Your Garden Zone? Learn about USDA plant hardiness zones. Get Bonnie's Newsletter Get tips and advice on how to best grow your Bonnie vegetables, herbs, and flowers.