Have you ever wondered why electricians stake metal poles into the ground while working? Yes, your garden soil has electrical properties. However, does this apply to the potting soil of your potted plants? Potting soil can conduct electricity. This applies also to outdoor soil. However, the increased presence of water, dissolved mineral salts, organic matter,…
Don’t throw out that pasta water from your penne just yet! Preparing pasta today can feed plants and soil tomorrow. Pasta water can be used as a mild fertilizer and a sustainable water source for plants due to the abundance of starch and dissolved nutrients. It can be used 1) directly in the soil after…
The soil you are stepping on is like everything else in nature – it changes. The ground in your yard erodes, rots, and is carried away, making it look like your yard is sinking. In general, sinking soil in a yard or garden is often a natural phenomenon caused by 1) organic matter breaking down,…
Have you imagined enjoying your meal with your friends and special someone in your garden? Isn’t it relaxing how different plants and flowers bloom next to your wall? Placing a garden bed against a brick wall is a great idea for aesthetic purposes and maximizing the green space. However, it is not good if the…
![Soil Conditioner Vs Fertilizer [Pros And Cons]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA0MDAgMzAwIiB3aWR0aD0iNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjMwMCIgZGF0YS11PSJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3VyaW5kb29yaGVyYnMuY29tJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDIyJTJGMDIlMkZ3b3JkLWltYWdlLTEyLnBuZyIgZGF0YS13PSI0MDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iMzAwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
You are in front of the gardening area and you see soil conditioner and fertilizer, side to side. Now you are confused and may have asked: are they the same? Which is best for plants? Can you use them both? Soil conditioners are applied to enhance soil’s physical properties, while fertilizers are added to provide…
![Can You Grow Cactus in Compost Only? [We Did It – Experiment]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjIlMkYwMSUyRkcxNzEuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
Several newbie gardeners have asked if they can use pure compost in their cacti plants. To provide an actual answer, I performed a 60-day experiment of growing cacti using compost as the only planting medium. Growing cactus in compost only harm cactus growth. An experiment conducted on cacti shows brownish-yellow burnt spots on the stem…
![What is Horticultural Grit? [A Gardener’s Best Friend!]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYxMSUyRkcxNTItMS5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iMTIwMCIgZGF0YS1oPSI5NjAiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==)
Horticultural Grit can be a gardener’s best friend in preventing compact and waterlogged soil! How does one use them effectively? Finally, is it horticultural grit or is it horticultural sand? Horticultural Grit is composed of crushed rocks, mainly silica, limestone, quartzite, or a few others. Such stones are 1) extracted from the ground, 2) crushed,…
Perhaps you have cacti that have been growing in those lovely and cute small planters. I love them, but they are not the best for them. Indeed, without you knowing, your cactus is already suffering. You need to take action now! Repot a cactus when 1) the roots start coming out of the container, or…
![Do Cacti Need Fertilizer? When? How?[Experiment With Photos]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYwOSUyRkcxMzMtMS5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iMTIwMCIgZGF0YS1oPSI5NjAiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==)
Feed your cacti plants wrong, and you’ll end up killing them. Despite my years of experience, I decided to help educate gardeners about feeding cactus with a 36-days long experiment on cactus fertilization. The results are just amazing! The rule of thumb, potted cacti need to be fertilized a maximum of twice a year with…
![What Makes Up Cactus Soil? [Guide DIY Recipes]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYxMCUyRkNhY3R1c19Tb2lsX0NDLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxMjAwIiBkYXRhLWg9Ijk2MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
Choose the wrong type of soil, and your beloved cacti will die pretty quickly. So, what constitutes a healthy soil mix suitable for cacti plants? Hint: You can make your own cacti soil mix! Cactus soil is mainly composed of coarse inorganic particles incorporated with a bit of organic base. The proper growing medium for…
You can always find lots of ready-to-use potting mix for bonsai in garden centers, but they can be pretty expensive. You are thinking of any alternative medium that can equally cultivate healthy bonsai. How about a cacti mix? Only small bonsai trees can successfully thrive in a cacti mix alone thanks to their 1) excellent…
![Drainage in Planter Boxes? [Number, Size]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYwOSUyRkcxMTUuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
Did the planter box you recently bought come without drainage holes? Are you suddenly wondering if you should drill a couple of holes in there you should leave as it is? Planter boxes need drainage holes to prevent overwatering and to help aerate the soil. Depending on the size, one to four 0.5-1 inch (1.27-2.54…