Planting an apple tree. Paul Debois

Soil and Composting

Published: Tuesday, 12 December 2023 at 11:34 am

51 items

Often overlooked, soil is the most important part of the garden, as it determines what you can grow and how well it will fare. Browse our collection of features on different types of soil, including how to test your soil type and pH, advice on how to improve your soil and lists of plants that thrive in exactly the soil type you have. You’ll also find everything you need to know about compost: how to make it, how to use it and how to solve the occasional composting problem.

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Showing 1 to 24 of 51 results

Find out your soil type

We explain the six different soil types – clay, silty, loamy, peat, sandy and loamy – so that you can choose the best plants for your garden.
Soil pH level explained

Confused by soil pH? We explain all and recommend plants for acid and alkaline soils.
10 flowers for clay soil

Discover 10 plants that thrive on clay soil, including roses and daylilies.
10 plants for acid soils

We pick 10 of the best plants to grow on acid soils.
10 plants for moist soil

Discover 10 plants that thrive in moist soil, plus tips on getting the best from damp conditions in your garden.
10 plants for sandy soil. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

We recommend plants that will positively thrive in a dry, sandy soil.
12 plants to grow in dry soil

Parched soil? No problem. We pick 12 beautiful plants that thrive in dry soils
Best plants for alkaline soils

Check out some of the best plants to grow in lime-rich or chalky soils.
Carol Klein's favourite plants for acid soil. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Carol Klein shares her favourite plants to grow in acidic soil.
Plants for light and stony soil

We recommend some plants that will thrive in light, stony soil.
Complete guide to mushroom compost

All you need to know about using mushroom compost in the garden.
Get the best from dry soil

Gardening on dry soil? We show you how to improve your soil and grow plants that thrive during drought.
Get the best from wet soil

If the soil in your garden is always moist, here's how to get the best from it.
Get the best from alkaline soil

Discover how to get the best from alkaline (chalky or limestone) soil, with the help of our handy tips.
Five reasons to feed your soil

Feeding the soil is one of the best things you can do for your garden plants. We explain why.
How to make a composting trench

Find how to make a composting trench for next year's crops.
Five steps to winter compost

Keep your compost ticking over in the winter months with these five handy tips.
Ericaceous compost

All you need to know about ericaceous compost, and where to buy it.
Best compost: which compost is best for which job?

Confused by the types of compost available? We explain which type to use for which job.
Mulches and mulching

Find out about mulches and how to mulch, in our expert guide.
The best leaves for leaf mould

We show you the best leaves to use for leaf mould, and give advice on making it.
Three ways to warm soil for sowing

Seeds germinate faster in warm soils. Find out how to give your soil a head start in spring, in our guide.
What is John Innes compost?

All you need to know about John Innes compost, in our guide.
Complete guide to garden manure

Advice on types of manure to use and how to use them, in our guide.

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