Is it a good idea to add forest soil to your garden and raised beds? Using forest soil, especially soil from a deciduous forest, is a great way to inoculate your garden soil or increase mycorrhizal fungi in your garden and subsequently improve plant growth, especially for trees and perennials that thrive in fungal-dominated soils. …
Is Forest Soil Good for Your Garden? (Explained) Read More »
Mulching and making compost is crucial for any organic garden. But your compost could be dominated by bacteria or fungi and they can have different uses in your garden. What are the differences between fungal and bacterial compost? Fungal compost is made of carbon-rich materials which are best used for trees and perennials. On the …
Fungal vs Bacterial Compost: Differences & Uses in Garden Read More »
Microbes are a key component in healthy, organic gardens. Among the many ways to increase beneficial microbes in the soil, a quick and effective way to do so is to add an inoculant. What are the different types of inoculants you can use? The most commonly used soil inoculants are mycorrhizal fungi to improve water …
Top 3 Inoculants for Plants: More Than Just Mycorrhizae Read More »
It is common for compost to get moldy when it is moist over a period of time. Is moldy compost dangerous? Moldy or decaying compost can carry airborne toxic bacteria that can result in the deadly Legionnaire disease after inhaling. A mask should be worn when handling compost because the mold spores can get stirred …
It’s hard to believe. But, the grass trimmings in the compost bin can actually catch fire spontaneously, and become a fire hazard to your house and neighbors. What can cause a compost pile to self-ignite? Compost piles can self-ignite when the heat generated during decomposition is trapped inside a dry, insulated, and compacted pile with …
7 Conditions When Your Compost Can (Actually) Self-Ignite Read More »
Your body thermometer and food thermometer may be at your fingertips. But can you just stick any thermometer in your garden to check the soil temperature? What are their differences? Food thermometers can be used to check soil temperature but they are not ideal because of their short (4 inches or 10 cm) and thin …
Soil, Compost & Meat Thermometers: Any Differences? Read More »
You’ve heard all the buzz about vermicompost, or “worm poop”. The organic substance decomposed by worms is soft like humus and is often used as a type of compost in organic gardens. How good is vermicompost as a fertilizer when compared to the other fertilizer types? Vermicompost is the best fertilizer compared to synthetic NPK …
Is Vermicompost The Best Fertilizer? (4 Types Compared) Read More »
It’s a nightmare to end up with anaerobic compost or soil with little or no oxygen—they are sticky, stinky, slow to decompose, and are not suitable for growing plants. It often happens when compost piles get too wet and saturated with water. It is also found in areas in your garden that are waterlogged, compacted, …
