Compost & Soil Preparation | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Soils And Compost

Good gardeners grow good soil. It's the soil that grows the garden.

Article

Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Fields following the Moss Landing Battery Fire

March 26th, 2025

By Michael D Cahn, Richard F Smith

Summary: This limited study indicated that a slight deposition of metals (Copper and Manganese) may have occurred in one agricultural field, but the increases measured in the surface samples were likely insignificant relative to normal background levels for these soil types. Other sites showed no increase in…

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Event

Maintaining Garden and Raised Bed Soil: The Soil and Plant Relationship

Apr 12 2025

Maintaining Garden and Raised Bed Soil: The Soil and Plant RelationshipDescription: Do you know that soil is much more than sand, silt and clay? Healthy soil is all about the relationship between plants and soil. In this talk UC Master Gardener Terry Lyngso will explain the components of soil, why plants…

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Article

Backyard Compost and Vermicompost Workshop

March 18th, 2025

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Documents

Vermiculture Basics Presentation

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Event

Regenerative Soil Techniques for the Home Gardener

May 3 2025

Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz County Master Gardeners invite our local community to join us to learn regenerative soil techniques that you can add to your gardening bag of tricks.Growing healthy soil helps the home gardener grow vibrant veggies and herbs, bountiful fruit trees and gorgeous flowers. We will…

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workshop on how to nurture and boost your garden soil in Sonoma County

Event

Nurturing Your Garden Soil

Mar 29 2025

Join us for an informative workshop on selecting the right packaged soil products, mastering composting techniques, and setting up a worm bin for nutrient-rich soil.

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Common Soil Problems

George Becker, Pexels Unhealthy soil causes poor plant performance. Correct soil deficiencies in your garden before you plant.

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Compost & Other Soil Amendments

Is your garden soil not quite what you want it to be? Need to make some improvements? Soil amendments may be a solution. Before making any additions or changes to your soil, its good to know what soil amendments are and how they may work in your soil.

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Benefits of Compost

Compost benefits the garden as well as the environment. Photo: Pixabay.com The process of composting is good for your garden and for the environment. Home composting allows gardeners to recycle organic material while conserving landfill space and reducing reliance on fossil fuel.

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How To Use Compost

Compost is multi-purpose. It can be used as mulch, topdressing, soil amendment, or as an organic fertilizer. Adding compost to the garden is one of the best ways to improve soil and support plant health.

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