Soil and Watering
How to tell when a plant needs water
Learn to judge when a plant needs water with finger and weight tests, leaf signals and a check of the soil below the surface. Simple methods for pots and garden beds.
The collection
Soil and Watering
How soil structure, drainage and watering habits work together, and how to read a plant's signals so water reaches the roots where it is needed.
Soil and Watering
Overwatering and underwatering: spotting the difference
Wilting and yellow leaves can come from too much or too little water. Learn to read the soil, the roots and the symptoms, then correct the problem gradually.
Soil and Watering
Understanding potting soil and what goes into it
What is in a bag of potting mix, how each ingredient holds water or air, and how to choose and refresh container soil so roots get both.
Soil and Watering
What mulch does for garden soil and moisture
Mulch slows evaporation, steadies soil temperature and limits weeds. Learn which materials work, how deep to spread them and where to keep them away from stems.
Soil and Watering
Why containers need drainage holes
Drainage holes let excess water leave a pot so roots keep access to air. Learn why holes matter, what to do with pots that lack them and why gravel does not help.