Soil management in gardens

To have healthy plants they need not only protection against diseases and pests but also to grow in soil with the appropriate nutrients for their needs. Different soils have different properties and so the advice we give to gardeners can depend on the type of soil the garden has.

Our current soil research covers a broad range of themes including soil management, composting practices, growing media, plant establishment and efficient water use.

RHS projects on soil

In addition to their day-to-day work on the disciplines of soil science and plant physiology, the Plant Soil Interactions team is engaged in long-term soil projects that can help gardeners understand the importance of soil, and how best to manage it to grow healthy plants.

Published work by the RHS Plant Soil Interactions team

Results of the work conducted by the RHS are published in a number of different ways. This includes peer-reviewed papers in scientific press, and articles in The Plantsman and The Garden magazines.

Work is regularly presented at scientific conferences, trade meetings and RHS events (such as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and London Flower Shows).