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: ...

It turns out the type of soil you have might not be the best growing environment for every kind of vegetable. Here's an easy ...

Soils come in many different colors, described by hue, value, and chroma (Munsell color system). Using the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) online Web Soil Survey (WSS) to discover the ...

When farmers talk about their soil test results, the conversation often starts and ends with soil pH. While that one number is important to determining whether lime is needed, that insight is just a ...

Soil is a key ingredient in any backyard garden, so it’s important to make sure it’s the healthiest it can be. That’s why longtime gardeners – and soil science experts – recommend testing. Knowing the ...

Is soil testing important? How can I get my soil tested? The first question is do you need a soil test? There are several situations where a soil test may be appropriate: 1. Landscaping a new home ...

One of the most common questions gardeners have is how to fertilize specific plants. Many plants have individual nutrient needs, but for all plants it is impossible to guess at what you need without ...

The research aims to improve food safety and guide agricultural practices.

In Altadena and the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of L.A., reconstruction has begun despite the fact that the soil on affected properties has not been tested for toxic substances. The Federal ...

If you want your plants to grow big and healthy, soil quality matters. Even if you aren’t planning on growing a lush veggie garden, all plants need nutrients to grow, in addition to light and water.

Jake Mowrer, Ph.D., is the new director of the AgriLife Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory in Bryan-College Station.