Garden centers sell bags of mulch every spring, yet one of the most powerful soil protectors often piles up for free just a few steps away from the garden bed. Leaves scatter across lawns, patios, and ...

Plain shredded paper is a safe and budget-friendly material when used correctly. Apply in thin layers and top with natural mulch to prevent matting. Shredded paper can also be used in your compost bin ...

If you have leaves accumulating on your lawn and in the garden, instead of raking them up into piles and putting them in bags to set on the curb, may we suggest composting them. Leaves are full of ...

It is almost time for nature’s most abundant crop — tree leaves. Don’t miss the opportunity to harvest this crop. Fall leaves are packed with organic matter. They contain trace minerals that trees ...

Leaves are a gardener's best friend. Consider their landscape value; leaves from one large tree can be worth as much as $50 worth of fertilizer. Leaves have twice as many minerals as manure. When they ...

Make potting mix with free materials and use it for seed starting, raised beds, and more. You can make your own potting mix at home using simple ingredients like compost, sand, and shredded leaves.

Mulching is a key garden task, but many gardeners miss the mark. Learn what mulch is, how to apply it, and what to avoid.

Hello Mid-Ohio Valley farmers and gardeners! I see many homeowners cleaning up leaves this fall around the valley. Why not gather these leaves to make leaf mold, a valuable compost? This week I want ...

Dogwood trees have a shallow root system that benefits from mulch to help retain moisture and keep soil temperatures even. Learn how and the proper time to mulch a dogwood tree.

Everybody loves a freebie: bobblehead doll giveaways at White Sox games, the candy jar on a co-worker’s desk, buy-one-get-one-free shoe sales. At this time of year, gardeners get a freebie that really ...