Soil and Composting

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.

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

Boost your soil quality by digging, forking and mulching, in our easy soil improvement project.

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

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

Discover 10 plants that thrive in moist soil, plus tips on getting the best from damp conditions in your garden.

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

Check out some of the best plants to grow in lime-rich or chalky soils.

Watch this Quick Tips video guide on planting into poor soil on rubble.

We recommend some plants that will thrive in light, stony soil.

All you need to know about using mushroom compost in the garden.

Brighten up your borders by growing summer bedding from seed. We show you how.

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

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

Few worms in your soil? Find out why with the help of this Quick Tips video.

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

Find out how to test your garden soil's pH, in order to choose the most suitable plants to grow.

Discover expert advice on how to improve the soil under trees, in this Quick Tips video.

Feeding the soil is one of the best things you can do for your garden plants. We explain why.

Create a soil sieve, perfect for compost and leaf mould, with the help of this easy step-by-step project.

Find out how to make a DIY compost bin using pallets, in our step-by-step guide.

Discover how to give old plant food bottles a new purpose, by using them to create a compost scoop.