This is an affordable, simple first step toward a lawn you'll be proud of.

Amanda Blum is a freelancer who writes about smart home technology, gardening, and food preservation. Previously, Amanda has worked as a technology strategist specializing in problem solving and ...

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› By Colleen Hagerty Colleen Hagerty is a writer focused on emergency preparedness.

Whether you’re growing tomatoes, managing crops or striving for the perfect lawn, soil testing is key to success. A soil test identifies nutrient levels and soil fertility, ensuring your plants get ...

Wildfire survivors across Los Angeles County are discovering that the most dangerous consequence from a wildfire isn’t always visible. Lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals could be hiding deep in ...

Soil testing begins with the homeowner, gardener, and farmer. The most critical step in soil testing is soil sample collection. Soil testing can help growers make informed decisions about fertilizer ...

Warm, workable soil is key to a successful spring garden. Use these simple tests to know when conditions are right to plant ...

Now that we have experienced the first frost of the season, and the growing season for most garden and home landscape plants has come to an end, we as gardeners tend to start thinking about things we ...

Nitrogen is often the most limiting nutrient in growing plants. When deficient, plant yields and quality are reduced. However, excessive nitrogen applications could cause concerns in water quality and ...

Testing the soil in your lawn and garden helps you pinpoint problems before they get out of hand and gives you a chance to add the amendments your plants need to grow better. The question arises, ...

Over three days in late March, four Los Angeles Times environment reporters and an editor fanned out across the Eaton and Palisades burn scars to collect 40 soil samples from residential properties: ...