Garden soil

All Garden soil Content

A hand holding a soil sample taken from a soybean field.

Soil Testing Labs

This page contains a list of nearby state or private laboratories that can be used for crop production fields, gardens and lawns.

An adult and several children's hands at a table planting a seedling in a container.

Grow Getters: Garden-Based Education for Preschool-3rd Grades

The “Grow Getters” series consists of lessons and resources to engage youth and families in hands-on, at-home activities related to gardening—even without a garden!

A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables displayed on a countertop.

Lesson 2 - Eat What You Grow

Youth will learn the different parts of plants that we eat, and how to use drying and freezing techniques to preserve foods for later use.

Red, White x Kura, and Dutch White clover crops.

Integrating Clover Cover Crops for Pepper and Broccoli Production

South Dakota gardeners and specialty crop producers have expressed a need for cover crop research. Learn about a recent research project investigating clover cover crop integration for pepper and broccoli production.

Gardener deeply watering a vegetable garden in the early morning.

Protecting Plants From Heat Stress

When summer temperatures soar with no sign of a break, it is hard on humans and plants. Learn some tips that will help protect plants from heat stress, including soil protection, watering considerations and providing shade.

Child with potted plants

Lesson 1 - Getting the Garden Growing

Introductory gardening lesson where youth will learn what plants need to grow and what fruits and vegetables grow in different seasons in South Dakota.

Green leaves emerge from the soil as old brown stems are falling over in a garden covered in brown leaves.

Spring Garden Maintenance

With a little planning and foresight, spring garden preparation can be a manageable task that allows you to enjoy working outside while waiting on warmer days for planting.

Young tomato plants surrounded by organic mulch in a no-till garden.

Weed Control in No-Till Gardens

Mulch is the key to successful weed control in no-till gardening. It is best to start a no-till garden in the fall to give applied mulch the time to breakdown and suppress any weed growth.

A picture of a lawn showing a ring of dark green grass in the middle of the lawn due to fungi in the soil.

Fairy Rings in Lawns

Seeing greener grass in circular pattern in your lawn? This is not due to uneven fertilizer application, but rather due to a fungi feeding on decomposing matter and releasing nitrogen in the affected areas.

Garden plant surrounded by a layer of wood chip mulch.

Organic Garden Mulches To Conserve Moisture and Prevent Weeds

If you want to reduce time spent in your vegetable and flower gardens watering or pulling weeds, consider mulching the soil surface with an organic material to improve plant health and your enjoyment of the garden.