Nerdin Gardens:   Focus on What Feeds the Soil  After more than 25 years of backyard gardening, we’ve enjoyed many bountiful seasons and learned plenty from the disappointing ones too. Over time, these five practical habits have consistently delivered the best results:  1️⃣.  Tilling manure into the dirt is an all-natural booster that improves fertility. Rich, dark soil results and plants thrive!  2️⃣   Use organic means when ridding pests. Praying mantis and ladybugs fastidiously feed on unwanted bugs. 3️⃣   Growing companion plants like basil near tomatoes and marigolds deter nematodes plus other harmful insects.  4️⃣   Moving plants to different spots every year, like swapping tomatoes with zucchini prevents disease buildup.  5️⃣   Spacing plants carefully means plants don't compete... 04/08/2026