Managing soil and nutrients in yards and gardens

The nutrients in your soil feed your plants and can determine whether you have a healthy lawn, flourishing trees or a 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.

Why and how to test your soil

(video, 2020; 02:37)

How to take a soil sample (video, 2020; 05:29)
How to interpret your soil test results (video, 2023; 07:02)
Soil testing for lawns and gardens

Archived guide

Soil Test Interpretations and Fertilizer Management (2008, PDF)

Caring for your soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of thriving gardens, lawns, and landscapes.

Do common soil health "home remedies" work?
Living soil, healthy garden — Learn about what makes soil healthy.
Reducing tillage in your garden — Foster soil environments that are more diverse and resilient.

Fertilizing

Videos

Practices you can use to improve the health of your soil.

Composting at home (2021; 06:09)
Compostaje en Casa (2022; 09:55)
Cover crops for gardeners (2021; 05:38)
Testing for lead in your garden (2020; 03:38)

Resources

Water Wisely: Start in your own backyard

Smart watering tips for healthy lawns, gardens, trees and shrubs.

Vegetable gardening

Home garden resources from starting seeds to harvesting and preserving.

Environmental benefits of healthy lawns

Turfgrasses are effective ground covers for preventing erosion, saturated soil, and compacted soil.

Learn more about yard and garden

News | Events | YouTube | Podcast | Ask a Master Gardener

The University of Minnesota Extension yard and garden team uses research-based education to ensure beautiful and bountiful gardens that are environmentally sustainable. We educate the public about landscape design and plant selection, integrated pest management, and gardening best practices.