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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Find how to make a composting trench for next year's crops.

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

All you need to know about ericaceous compost, and where to buy it.

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

Find out about mulches and how to mulch, in our expert guide.

We show you the best leaves to use for leaf mould, and give advice on making it.

Seeds germinate faster in warm soils. Find out how to give your soil a head start in spring, in our guide.

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