Farmers will often place sheets of plastic on the ground along their crop rows, in order to help hold moisture in the soil. According to a new study, however, the use of wax-coated sand may be a ...

It may seem trivial, but home gardeners who choose to use plastic mulch may want to note the advantages that research has shown for colored mulches over the more traditional black plastic mulch.

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – Researchers at Washington State University are trying to help farms grow pumpkins and squash more sustainably. Researchers at the university’s extension in Mount Vernon studied ...

Expand your understanding of food systems as a Civil Eats member. Enjoy unlimited access to our groundbreaking reporting, engage with experts, and connect with a community of changemakers. In 1948, ...

Plain shredded paper is a safe and budget-friendly material when used correctly. Apply in thin layers and top with natural mulch to prevent matting. Shredded paper can also be used in your compost bin ...

I love to garden, but I don’t like to do work needlessly. If I can find a gardening technique that saves me time, effort and money — well, I’m there. And you can’t find a better example of this than ...

Many years ago early in my agriculture/gardening career, I discovered a book written by a woman who developed a novel way of gardening. Ruth Stout’s gardening technique involved applying layers of ...

Backyard gardeners and large-scale agriculture operations commonly use plastic mulch to control weed growth and protect ...