Robert Pavlis | Mother Earth News FAIR

Robert Pavlis is a well-known speaker and educator with more than 40 years of gardening experience. He’s the author of two books, Building Natural Ponds and Garden Myths, and he publishes the popular gardening blogs Garden Myths and Garden Fundamentals. As the owner and head gardener of Aspen Grove Gardens, a 6-acre botanical garden, he grows 3,000 varieties of plants.

Robert is a contributor to Mother Earth News Fair Online.

Workshops

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Why Should I Understand Soil?

Introduction to the soil course. Meet the instructor, Robert Pavlis, learn about his background, and enjoy an aerial visit to his 6-acre botanical garden.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online

What Is Soil?

This lecture explains the main components of soil, defines what good soil is, and describes the role of microbes in creating good soil.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online

The Rhizosphere

The rhizosphere is a thin layer around plant roots. Gardeners may not know about it, but it's critical to growing better plants. It also shows why the pH of soil isn't that important, and why microbes are.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online

Testing Soil Texture

This section will take a deep dive into soil texture. I’ll explain what it is, how to measure it, and how to use it to determine the type of soil you have. Then, we’ll examine how soil texture affects gardening and plant growth.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online

Testing Soil pH

In this section, I’ll define pH, explain why it's important to plants, and show you how to test it, and then we’ll discuss if, when, and how you should change it.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online

Testing Soil Nutrients

This lecture will review several different soil test options and compare the results from each. I’ll show you how to properly take a soil test and explain what the results mean.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online

Soil and Fertilizer Myths

Soil myths are common, and in this segment, we’ll look at a number of gardening myths that deal with soil. Understanding these myths will save you money.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online

Selecting the Right Fertilizer

This section takes a deeper dive into fertilizer and helps you select the right one for your gardening needs.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online

Selecting the Best Soil

Learn the pros and cons of different kinds of soil and soilless mix. Then, we’ll review a number of common gardening situations, and I’ll help you select the best soil.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online

Plant Nutrients

Learn about the nutrients that plants need, and understand the N-P-K numbers on a container of fertilizer. Then, learn the pros and cons of both organic and synthetic fertilizers.

Organic Gardening Hands On

Speaking At:

Mother Earth News Fair Online