We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› By Colleen Hagerty Colleen Hagerty is a writer focused on emergency preparedness.

If your garden has been underperforming despite amending with compost, fertilizer, and careful watering, the issue may not be effort — it may be information. Soil testing garden beds gives you clarity ...

Whether you’re preparing for your first garden, planning next year’s plantings after a successful harvest or looking to install a lawn, your first step should be conducting a soil test. “Soil is one ...

Now that we have experienced the first frost of the season, and the growing season for most garden and home landscape plants has come to an end, we as gardeners tend to start thinking about things we ...

Spring is in the air, and your garden is begging for attention. You’ve got seeds lined up, compost ready, and dreams of a backyard bursting with color. But here’s the twist: your soil might be ...

A $20 UMass Amherst soil test gives gardeners custom advice to improve soil, save money and help plants grow better.

Soil testing begins with the homeowner, gardener, and farmer. The most critical step in soil testing is soil sample collection. Soil testing can help growers make informed decisions about fertilizer ...

Did you hear about the guy who complained that his coffee tasted like dirt? The waiter reminded the customer that he had insisted his coffee be made with fresh ground. Whether we call it the ground, ...

With the recent floodings many farms across the island have been affected. Farmers may not be sure of the condition of their ...

Last year, more than 24,000 farmers and gardeners requested soil sample testing through MU Extension. This year, the Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory in Mumford Hall is making it simpler and cheaper ...