UC Master Gardeners Logo
UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties

Compost & Soil Preparation

Good gardeners grow good soil. It's the soil that grows the garden. 

 

Primary Image
Green onions planted in the garden
Page

Soil

Healthy soil is the secret to a successful garden. Just like you need nutritious food to grow and thrive, your plants need healthy soil to produce beautiful flowers, delicious vegetables, and strong roots.
View Page
Primary Image
Hands in Soil
Page

What Is Healthy Soil

Earthworms are an excellent indicator of healthy soil. Photo, Sippakorn Yamkasikorn, Pexels Dirt and soil are NOT the same thing. Dirt is a lifeless mixture of minerals, air, and water.
View Page
Page

Soil Tips

Garden Help > Monthly TipsGood nutrient balance makes healthy garden soils. It is beneficial to get soil tested by a state-certified laboratory. Below is a collection of our monthly tips that relate to garden soils.To-dosWhat to Plant⁠To-do: SoilBone Meal for Bulbs?Clean Garden BedsCover CropsMulch Bare…
View Page
Primary Image
Hands in Soil
Page

How to Keep Your Soil Healthy

Once youve got healthy soil, keeping it that way is mostly about maintaining a desirable environment for the many creatures that live there. Here are some of the ways to keep your soil healthy. Allow leaves to decompose in the garden.
View Page
Page

Soil Testing

Garden Help > How To A note about soil testing: if your plants are growing well, you may not have to worry about it. However, from the Master Gardener Handbook 2nd Ed.
View Page
Primary Image
Hands in Soil
Page

Soil

Photo: Lukas, Pexals Soil is a naturally occurring mixture of inorganic and organic ingredients with a definite form, structure, and composition, that varies from one location to another.
View Page
Primary Image
Beads of water on a green leaf, Canva image
Page

Watering Hydrophobic Soil

Garden Help > How To Many potting soils become hydrophobictending to repel waterwhen they dry out, and are difficult to re-wet. Gardeners may see water draining out the bottom of a pot and assume that means that the soil is saturated.
View Page
Primary Image
banner mulch
Page

Mulch

Mulch is material placed on top of soil to cover and protect it, improve soil structure and fertility, and enhance the areas overall appearance.
View Page
Primary Image
Vegetables
Page

Home & Garden

A collection of tips and informant to improve your home garden's soil.
View Page
Primary Image
Banner Compost A
Page

Compost

Composting is the process of turning kitchen and yard waste and other organic materials into a decomposed soil amendment. It is a natural process that provides beneficial microbes and is a key ingredient in organic gardening and farming.
View Page