SoCo Seed Collective

06/18/2026

🌱 How to Take a Soil Sample from Your Garden 🌱

Want better answers about what your garden actually needs? Start with a good soil sample.

Here’s the simple method:

1. Use a clean trowel or shovel.
2. Take small scoops from 5–10 different spots in the same garden area.
3. Dig about 6 inches deep for vegetable or flower beds.
4. Mix the scoops together in a clean bucket.
5. Let the soil air dry if it’s damp.
6. Put about 2 cups of mixed soil in a clean bag or container and label it.

Try to sample different areas separately. For example, don’t mix soil from your vegetable garden, lawn, and flower beds together.

We’ll be talking more about simple soil testing at our Backyard Soil Lab this weekend with SoCo Seed Collective. Bring your questions and come learn what your soil is telling you!

06/18/2026

Clay gets a bad reputation in the garden, but it actually plays an important role in healthy soil.

Clay particles are tiny, which means they can hold onto water and nutrients better than sandy soil. That can be a big plus for plants, especially during dry spells. The downside is that clay can also become compacted, drain slowly, and make it harder for roots to grow if it isn’t cared for properly.

The goal isn’t to “get rid” of clay—it’s to understand your soil and improve its structure with things like compost, mulch, and avoiding compaction.

Want to learn more about what’s going on in your own soil? Join us for Backyard Soil Lab this weekend with SoCo Seed Collective. We’ll look at simple soil tests you can do at home and have a seed swap too!

05/08/2026

04/15/2026

Strawberry Rocks = Simple, Fun, and Useful

Painting rocks to look like strawberries isn’t just for fun—it’s actually a clever garden trick. Placing them in your beds before berries ripen can help deter birds, since they learn to ignore the “fake” fruit.

How to make them:

* Start with smooth, dry rocks
* Paint them red and let dry
* Add yellow seeds and green tops
* Seal if you want them to last longer

They’re easy, kid-friendly, and make great little garden markers too.

We’ll be painting strawberry rocks or any design this Saturday at Captain Avery Museum, along with other activities—stop by and bring something home.

04/13/2026

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