Managing soil and nutrients
How to manage soil and nutrients in home yards and gardens
The nutrients in your soil are what feed your plants and can determine whether you have a healthy lawn, flourishing trees and bumper crop of zucchini.
Before starting any yard or garden project, we recommend having your soil tested by the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Lab. They will let you know if your soil needs added nutrients depending on what you want to plant.
Try the diagnostic tool What's wrong with my plant? for a step-by-step guide through diagnosing a plant problem.
- Coffee grounds, eggshells and Epsom salts in the home garden
- Composting in home gardens
- Cover crops and green manure in home gardens
- Fertilizing and watering container plants
- How and why to build a rain garden
- Living soil, healthy garden
- Quick guide to fertilizing plants
- Water-saving strategies for home lawns
Water wisely — Start in your own backyard with smart watering tips for healthy lawns, gardens, trees and shrubs.
Composting and mulching (2000; PDF) — This guide explains the processes of composting and mulching. It gives instructions for building and maintaining a compost pile and for using compost in yards and gardens.
Soil Test Interpretations and Fertilizer Management (2008; PDF) — This bulletin presents current fertilizer and lime recommendations for home lawns, vegetable and flower gardens, small fruits, tree fruits and ornamental trees and shrubs.
Read Yard and Garden News
For growing tips, emerging issues and good-to-know advice for anyone with a lawn or garden.
On the go?
Listen to the Smart Gardens and What's Killing My Kale? podcasts