Have you ever watered a thirsty plant only to watch the water rush through the soil without soaking in? The crunchy soil not only leaves your plants thirsty, it also damages the roots. This common ...

With the unseasonal warmth and dryness, Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie is getting questions from farmers wondering about spring strip-tilling or zone building. One question came in from ...

Isn’t that grass just so crunchy out there?! The soil is basically dry as can be with some areas starting to experience moderate drought. There’s two main issues I’m watching for though with our next ...

Seasonal rain on California grasslands kicks off a rapid expansion and turnover of viruses in the soil, according to a new study by UC Davis and Lawrence Livermore National Lab. These viruses may ...

Most of southcentral Pennsylvania has thirsted its way through a hot, dry back end of summer 2025, resulting in plants and lawns that are unusually parched for this time of year. While this week’s ...

Q: I have had dwarf mondo between my steppingstones for over 15 years. This year, it’s dying. Is that from the extreme heat Susan Wood, email A: I think the problem is heat that dried out the soil.

Proper soil sample preparation is key to precise data on your soil’s pH, nutrient levels, and the exact soil amendments your ...