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.

Green plant with wide, oval leaves. Pink florets are arranged in a circle at the top of the stem. An orange Monarch butterfly feeds on nectar from one of the florets.

Investigate Pollinators

Lesson about the importance of pollinators and the plants they interact with.

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

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.

A group of children observing a bed of garden soil with a teacher.

Stupendous Soils

Lesson for youth to discover the characteristics of different soil types and how to make compost.

Teacher pouring a small amount of seed into a student's hand to construct a tiny greenhouse.

Super Seeds

Lesson for youth to explore the many types of seeds that are eaten or grown and learn how they grow.

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.

Mother with child cooking homemade jam in a kitchen.

Preservation Station!

At the end of this lesson, participants will be able to list the most-common methods used to preserve fruits or vegetables.

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!

Soil from gardens that were recently flooded may not be safe for growing fruit and vegetables this summer. Depending on the location, flood waters may contain contaminants or disease-causing organisms.

a picture large purple flowers with yellow centers surrounded by dead leaves and grey landscaping rocks.

Landscaping Best Practices for Pollinators and Beyond

Our yards are all part of a greater ecosystem. By incorporating some best practices into your landscaping routine, your yard can develop healthier soil, support more pollinators, and reduce the need for pest control.