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ph levels

The $3 Soil Test That Could Save Your Spring Garden—And It’s Not Sold at Big Box Stores

January 19, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

The $3 Soil Test That Could Save Your Spring Garden—And It’s Not Sold at Big Box Stores

  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 plotting against you. Every gardener knows that not all soil is created equal, and a single overlooked nutrient deficiency…

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Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: $3 soil test, best soil, compacted soil, Garden, garden tips, gardening tips, ground soil, healthy soil, ph levels, plant health, soil, soil health, soil test, soil testing, soil tips

6 Soil Additives That Could Backfire in Cold Weather—Experts Warn to Skip These in January

January 17, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

These Are 6 Soil Additives That Could Backfire in Cold Weather

January gardening can feel bold, hopeful, and just a little rebellious. While frost glitters on the ground, it’s tempting to “get ahead” by amending soil and setting the stage for spring. That urge is understandable—and risky. Cold, often frozen soil behaves very differently than warm earth, and certain soil additives can do more harm than…

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Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: bone meal, compost, compost tips, composting, fertilizer, Garden, garden tips, gardening, gardening tips, January, manure, ph levels, Winter Garden, winter weather

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fall garden cleanup

Stop Cleaning Up Your Garden This Fall — 7 Things Experts Say You Should Leave Alone

Fall used to mean one thing in the garden: cut everything down, rake every leaf, bag the debris, and leave the beds spotless before winter. Garden experts increasingly recommend something much less exhausting—and considerably better for the insects, birds, soil, and plants sharing your yard. A more selective fall garden cleanup can preserve overwintering habitat,…

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seed starting cost

Is Starting From Seed Still Cheaper Than Buying Plants? Let’s Do the Math

A $4 tomato plant doesn’t sound expensive until you need six tomatoes, four peppers, a tray of lettuce, basil, broccoli, and a few flowers. Suddenly, the spring garden-center trip costs $60 before anything has gone into the ground, making a $3 packet containing dozens of seeds look like an obvious bargain. But the real seed…

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cost of homegrown tomatoes

How Much Does a Homegrown Tomato Actually Cost?

That first sun-warmed tomato picked straight from the vine can feel practically free. After all, you planted one little seedling and several weeks later you’re carrying tomatoes into the kitchen by the armful—or at least that’s how the successful years go. Start adding the price of the plant, fertilizer, cage, mulch, water, pest control, and…

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fall garden center

The Garden Center Is Clearing Out Plants — Which Fall Bargains Are Actually Worth Buying?

A perennial marked down from $18 to $5 can make even a disciplined gardener start rearranging flower beds in their head. By September and October, garden centers often need space more than they need another month of full-price inventory, creating opportunities for gardeners willing to overlook a few brown leaves and faded blooms. But fall…

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