YardDecoded Library

Gardening Basics

Clear foundations for planning, planting, soil care, and everyday garden work.

How to Mulch Around a Young Fruit Tree

Mulch can conserve moisture around a young fruit tree, but a thick pile against the trunk creates a damp environment that encourages decay. The…

How to Thin Crowded Lettuce Seedlings

Thinning gives lettuce seedlings enough room for leaves and roots to develop. Doing it gradually reduces disturbance and makes it easier to keep the…

How to Stake a Young Tomato Plant Safely

Installing support while a tomato plant is young is easier on the roots and stem. A stake should be close enough to guide growth…

When to Spread Compost on Garden Beds

Compost improves structure and supports soil life when it is mature and used in a thin layer. Timing depends on whether beds are empty or actively growing.

Prune Flowering Shrubs with a Simple Plan

Pruning is easier when you identify whether a shrub flowers on old or new wood. The goal is healthier structure, not a perfectly squared-off plant.