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Soil and Plant Health

Healthy plants start with healthy soil. Learn your soil type, test pH and nutrients, choose fertilizers, fix drainage problems and prevent pests and diseases with integrated pest management before reaching for a spray.

93 guides
Research-based guides
Preventing Plant Diseases in the Home Garden

Preventing Plant Diseases in the Home Garden

How to prevent plant diseases in the vegetable garden: resistant varieties, crop rotation, spacing and airflow, watering at the soil, and sanitation.

Better Home Garden Editorial Team Oct 22, 2026
Managing Garden Pests With an IPM Approach

Managing Garden Pests With an IPM Approach

How to manage garden pests with integrated pest management: healthy plants first, scouting, cultural and physical controls, and pesticides last.

Better Home Garden Editorial Team Oct 22, 2026
Improving Garden Drainage in Heavy or Wet Soil

Improving Garden Drainage in Heavy or Wet Soil

How to improve drainage in a garden: checking how fast water drains, adding organic matter to clay, raised beds, avoiding wet-soil work and site choices.

Better Home Garden Editorial Team Oct 22, 2026
How to Take a Soil Sample for a Garden Soil Test

How to Take a Soil Sample for a Garden Soil Test

How to take a soil sample for a lab soil test: separate areas, sampling depth, number of cores, mixing and drying, avoiding contamination and timing.

Better Home Garden Editorial Team Oct 22, 2026