For the last 15 years, gardeners have been told that soil acts like an antidepressant, thanks to a particular bacterium. Is there anything to it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Winter Sowing: Two Reliable Methods for Outdoor Seed Starting

It can do great things on farms, but does crop rotation make sense in a garden? What are the benefits claimed for crop rotation, and can we get those same benefits in easier ways?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Compost In The Winter (Easy Method)

Do nutrients really specialize in one aspect of plant growth, like roots or shoots? Why adding more of one nutrient to your soil, like a phosphorus-heavy bloom booster, often doesn't provide any benefit.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Growing Poinsettias: Year-Round Care & Reblooming Guide

Are you using a balanced fertilizer in your garden? It may seem like a simple and effective way to provide nutrients to your plants, but it could also cause problems for your soil and for the environment.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Indoor Seed Starting: Best DIY Setup on a Budget

Most countries use a confusing and outdated NPK labelling system for fertilizer packages. What do the numbers mean? Depending on where you live, it's probably not what you think. And why is a "balanced fertilizer" not so balanced after all?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: When to Take Down Hummingbird Feeders in Fall

Our plants can't live without them, but how do we know that they're getting them? Do we need to feed them to our plants? And what are these essential nutrients?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make African Violets Bloom & Rebloom

Not everyone wants them in their garden, but others grow them deliberately. They aren't even plants. So what are mushrooms and are they okay around our plants?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 2023 Fall Hummingbird Migration (Canada & United States)

What kinds of soap should we be using -- or avoiding -- in the garden? What about liquid dish soap? And we're all familiar with soap, but what is it, exactly?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 25 Vegetables You Can Grow in Shade

Compost is great for your garden, but can you have too much of a good thing? What problems could there be if you use too much? Will it harm your plants ... or something else?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Bring Plants Inside: Timing & Debugging Tips

What can you add to your compost pile? Is it any organic material, or are there some things you may want to avoid? What about dryer lint or hair?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Hostas for Sun: Sun-Tolerant Options For Your Garden

Calculating C:N ratios? Regular turning? For anyone who's been put off from composting because it sounds too involved -- it really isn't as hard as it's sometimes made out to be.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Breaking the Eggshell Myth in Gardening

When it comes to building healthy soil, there may be no more important tool in the garden than compost. So what is compost, and how does it help our plants?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Propagate Sweet Potatoes to Grow New Slips

We've heard that humus is good for our garden, but do we know what it actually is? And, for that matter, does ANYONE know what it actually is? And why has humus become a controversial topic?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Why Frogs & Toads Are Good For Our Gardens

We're told not to overwater our plants, but some popular houseplants grow fine with their roots fully immersed in water and nearly all outdoor plants experience overwatering at times. How does that work?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Tips for Choosing the Right Clematis Trellis

No Mow May is a popular initiative that encourages people to stop mowing their lawns for a month to help bees and other pollinators. But does it really work? And what are the drawbacks? In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of No Mow May from a gardener's perspective.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: The Surprising Benefits of Moths in Your Garden

Frogs enrich your garden in many ways: they control pests, provide food for other wildlife, and indicate a healthy environment. In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of frogs and their role in the garden ecosystem.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Get Rid of Weeds: Easy Tips For Organic Gardeners

At the beginning of a new gardening season, temperatures are still low, but some vegetables thrive in cool weather and can be ready to eat in just a few weeks. Choose these vegetables and before you know it, you'll eating your first batch of produce fresh from your garden.MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Fast-Growing Vegetables in 4-6 Weeks (Spring or Fall)

Most bees don't live in hives and most don't live in hollow stems. They live in the ground and emerge from the soil in the spring and summer to join us in the garden. What can we do to make their winters easier?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Tea Time: How to Harvest & Dry Homegrown Herbs

Deer can cause a lot of damage to your garden, but there are ways to prevent or reduce it. Learn about different types of fences, repellents, deterrents and deer-resistant plants that can help you protect your plants from these hungry animals.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: The Complete Guide to Growing Delphiniums in Your Garden

Also known in many parts of the world as bicarbonate of soda or bicarb soda -- you see it recommended for dozens of uses in the garden. It sounds pretty harmless, but should we be using it around our plants?READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Baking Soda in the Garden: Is it Really Harmless?

What's the advantage of starting seeds -- especially indoors? What do you need? What do seeds need to germinate? And how can you improve your odds against diseases?READ THE FULL GUIDE at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside Grow Outside

Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in the garden, and you can get them in a range of sizes and a rainbow of colors.ALSO FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Carrots Indoors At Home In Flower PotsAND: How To Grow Fairy Carrots In Jars

Does hitting the trunk of a tree with a baseball bat or or a stick make it produce more leaves -- or maybe more flowers or fruit? It sounds crazy, but is there anything to it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Houseplants & Humidity: Tips That Help (& Those That Do Not)

In permaculture circles, they're called dynamic accumulators -- plants that accumulate above average levels of particular nutrients in their leaves, which we can then add to compost piles, use as mulch or in other ways make the nutrients available to our plants. Do they work?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Leafy Greens Indoors at Home (Simple & Fast Method)

Humidity doesn't get as much attention as temperature, light and soil moisture, but it can have a big effect on our plants. Many houseplants prefer more humidity than we give them, especially over the winter. What can we do about that?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Homemade Peanut Butter Suet for Birds (Easy Recipe)

It's one of the world's most popular houseplants. Easy to grow and easy to propagate -- and maybe even a handy source of some skincare gel.

What makes the leaves of some trees change color? Is there a benefit to the trees? And what about deciduous trees that keep leaves over the winter?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Propagate African Violets (Step-By-Step Tutorial)

Many gardeners put paper overtop of a lawn to create a new garden bed. Or add paper to their compost pile. Is it safe?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Bring Plants Indoors For The Winter (Best Timing & Bug-Free Tips)

You hear it suggested a lot in gardening circles as a pesticide and maybe even to prevent diseases, but what is horticultural oil and how does it work?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Creative No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas (Quick & Fun)

Blue flowers do exist in nature, but not in many of our most popular flowers. And it's even been a struggle for scientists to create them.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Great Fall Weather? Get These Garden Jobs Done

It's not for everyone, but human urine in the garden has lots of enthusiasts. Urine contains lots of nitrogen and several other essential nutrients, but it also has some things that aren't so good for plants.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Welcome Dragonflies To Your Garden

We've all heard that we should be planting more milkweed to help a declining number of monarchs, but some reports say they're actually doing fine without our help.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Keep Houseplants Watered While On Vacation

They've become poster children for the global decline in insect numbers and they face significant threats. How might we be able to help monarchs in our garden?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Easy Houseplant Tagging System To Simplify Plant Care

They're big and colorful -- powerful fliers that stand out in a crowd. And they eat mosquitoes. What can we do to attract dragonflies to our garden?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Rosemary From Cuttings (Indoors or Outdoors)

Keeping carbon out of the air and in our garden can help the environment, but can we keep carbon sequestered and have healthy soil at the same time?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow an Oak Tree From an Acorn (Step By Step)

Carbon sequestration is one way our plants help the environment -- by taking carbon out of the air and holding on to it or putting it in the soil.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Soil Calculator (Mulch, Compost, & Potting Mix Too)

They aren't the world's fastest-growing trees, but you can start with an acorn and -- with some patience -- end up with a tree that supports a diverse range of wildlife in your garden.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Mid-Summer Garden Tasks: What To Do Now

Oak trees not only look great, they support a diverse range of birds, insects and other wildlife, as well as microorganisms in the soil.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (& Creative Display Ideas)

Downy mildew can spoil the appearance of many plants, reduce yields of fruits and vegetables, and sometimes even kill plants. What can we do to avoid it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Simple Seed Guide: From Hybrids to Heirlooms

Plants can detect changes in the length of the day as seasons change. Some will only flower -- or can't flower -- when daylight reaches a certain length.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Annuals & Perennials: What's The Difference?

There are lots of plants to choose from for almost any amount of sunlight outdoors, but you have to match the right plant with the right area in your garden.MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: 25 Vegetables You Can Grow in Shade

For decades, baits have been a popular way to deal with slugs, but there are concerns about their impact on wildlife and the environment. Do any of the suggested home remedy alternatives work?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Beginner Garden Tips That Avoid Bloopers (Great & Small)

Slugs can cause a lot of damage to plants like hostas and lettuce and many others. Is there anything we can do to stop them?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Scarify Seeds Before Sowing For Better Germination Rates

There's been an outbreak in avian flu this year in much of North America. Do our bird feeders increase the risk of spreading the disease?MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Best Birdseed

They're a common pest and one that's not easy to get rid of ... but there are things you can do to lower their numbers to a level plants can deal with.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: When Tomatoes Crack On The Vine (Now What?)

You'll find exuberant lists online with 10 or more uses for hydrogen peroxide in the garden -- is it something we should be using?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Spring Gardening: Is It Safe To Plant Outdoors Yet?

Physically and mentally, gardening has been shown to promote our health and well-being -- as exercise, an outlet for creativity and learning, relaxation, and more.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 45 Ridiculously Simple & Helpful Eco-Beneficial Garden Tips

They're two popular options as components of potting mix. What are they, what do they do, and what advantages do each provide?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Birdhouses Versus Nesting Boxes: What's Best For Birds

They're tiny but can cause big problems for your plants -- indoors and outdoors. How can you improve your odds of avoiding them, and what can you do once you have them?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Best (Cheap & Easy) DIY Tags For Indoor Seedlings & Plants

It has lots of fans for all sorts of uses in the garden. But do they have a scientific basis or are they just "it worked for me" stories?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Check If Seeds Are Viable (Home Germination Test)

Your tomatoes are coming along nicely and then -- out of nowhere -- they've got big cracks down the side. Now what do you do? And is there something you should have done to avoid it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Deal With Fungus Gnats On Houseplants (What Works)

In compacted soil it can be harder for roots to grow properly -- and that can reduce our plants' ability to access nutrients and water and create other problems. How can we prevent it from happening, or fix it if it does?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Why Vegetables Bolt & How To Prevent It

They're definitely annoying and possibly harmful to plants, although often not. What can you do to avoid fungus gnats? Or -- if that fails -- get rid of them?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Delicious Foods Hiding In Your Garden (Forage at Home)

You see lichens growing on trees, rocks, walls and lots of other places. Do they harm trees? And what do they contribute to the garden?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 50 Flowers For Hummingbirds & How To Keep Them Coming Back

You've got a bunch of seeds that should still be viable to some degree -- is there a quick way to find out? What's the best test?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Carrots Indoors At Home In Flower Pots

Not only are they easy to grow, but radishes are also one of the fastest growing vegetables and one of the first to plant in the spring.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Tips For Choosing a Garden Shed (To Avoid Regrets)

You pick up a tomato and see that something's not right. Cut it open and there are some creepy looking sprouts growing inside. What's that about and what do you do with the tomato?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 30 Flower Seeds To Start Indoors (Late Winter & Spring))

They're one of the most popular garden vegetables -- and easy to grow -- but there are some things to know about peas before choosing ones for your garden.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Two Neat Ways To Store Garden Seeds (& Keep Organized)

Can you remove disinfectants from tap water before using it on your plants -- and do you know which disinfectant your water has? And can fluoride be toxic for plants?FROM Empress of Dirt: Why Your Garden Needs Mulch & How To Do It Right

Is it safe to use unfiltered tap water on our plants? Lots of people do, but are there risks -- especially from substances like chlorine and fluoride added at water treatment plants?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 5 Good For The Earth (& You) Garden Resolutions (2022)

It's been more than 30 years since research at NASA showed that it's possible for plants to remove pollutants from the air. But is the air in our home fresher because we have houseplants?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Pros and Cons of Using Bt for Caterpillars (In Home Gardens)

We wouldn't have air as we know it without plants, but do our houseplants act as an air filter? And was that really proven by NASA?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: The Problem With Buying Beneficial Nematodes For Grub Control

It's the season for poinsettias -- and for warnings on social media about how you're putting your pets at risk by having poinsettias in the house.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow an Avocado from Seed (Easy Method)

They're sold as an alternative to pesticides to kill a wide range of insects. But will they make a difference to your garden or lawn? And are they safe to use?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Why Your Garden Needs Mulch & How To Do It Right

You can buy nematodes to apply to your lawn or garden to control a wide range of insects. How do beneficial nematodes control pests?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Clever Ways to Fill Tall Raised Beds & Save On Soil

We know the unhappy limp look plants give us, especially on hot, dry days. Should we reach for the watering can or is there something else at work here?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 2022 Handy Garden Checklist (What To Get Done Each Month)

We know the properties we'd like the soil in our raised beds to have -- what should we put in the mix to get them?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 7 Unfortunate Garlic Growing Mistakes You Can Avoid

Is there such a thing as ideal soil for raised beds? If there is, how do you know you're actually getting it when you place an order or go to the garden center?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Best Small Pond Ideas for Patios & Gardens

There are lots of lighting options -- especially with LEDs -- and we may feel uneasy about whether we're providing our plants the right kind of light.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Clone Orchids With Keiki Paste

The oxygen we breathe, the food we eat, and most of the dry weight of the plants in our garden -- they all come from photosynthesis, which depends on plants getting the light they need.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Using Heat Mats For Seed Starting

Leaf mold is a favorite organic addition to garden soil, and one that you can have at almost no cost just by keeping your fall leaves and letting them rot.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Properly Store Herbs & Spices (Are They Still Good?)

Even if you plan on sticking with soil, hydroponics tells us a lot about plants -- and soil. And if it appeals to you, then it's a way to grow plants year-round.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Swiss Chard Indoors (Seed to Harvest)

Fall is peak garlic planting time. What do we need to know to grow garlic in our garden ... and whatever happened to garlic seeds?

Saving seeds can be simple ... or complicated depending on how ambitious you get. What are some of the challenges you may face saving seeds?MORE from Empress of Dirt: Getting Started With Seed Saving (Flowers, Fruit, & Vegetables)

They're a popular source of blues, purples, pinks and other colors in the fall garden ... and, as far as botanists are concerned, most of them aren't actually asters.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Planting Potted Mums Outdoors as Year-Round Perennials

Keiki paste is used to propagate certain kinds of orchids -- but what's in it, does it really work, and can we use it on other plants?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Pineapple As a Houseplant

There are more species of rust fungi than any other plant pathogen. Once you have it, there's not much you can do about it, but you can make things more challenging for the rust.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Spectacular Fast-Growing Flowers

Willow water, honey and many others are touted as natural alternatives to rooting hormone. But do they work as well as rooting hormones -- or at all?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Harvest Sweet Pea Seeds

Rooting hormones an easy way to improve the odds that our cuttings will take root -- and also to speed up the process a little bit.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Easy Plant Propagation Tutorials for Gardeners

There's a whole slew of amendments to buy or make -- and many do some good for our plants. But there's also a lot to be said for keeping things simple.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Make a Robin Nesting Shelf (Free Plans)

You hear all the time that some plants need well-drained soil, but what does that mean, exactly? How do we know if we have it and what can we do about it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Harvest Zinnia Seeds

They're the world's most abundant animal. Almost all of us have nematodes in our gardens. They do a lot of good for the soil but some of them can badly damage your plants.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Cure Winter Squash for Storage

It has lots of enthusiastic supporters among gardeners -- and it also gets called snake oil. Can we come to any conclusions about compost tea?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Ripen Tomatoes After Picking

What does scientific research tell us about the effectiveness of Epsom salt in the garden?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Mums From Cuttings

It's a divisive issue in gardening circles. Will Epsom salt do wonderful things for your plants, or it is a load of unscientific hooey?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 7 Unique Garden Art Easel Ideas

Variegation is very highly sought after, both in houseplants and for the garden. What is variegation and what challenges can it create for gardeners?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 17 Flower Seeds to Sow Mid-Summer

Maybe the best-known attribute of sunflowers is that they follow the sun as it moves across the sky during the day. But do they? Or is it just a popular misconception?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Birdcage Flower Planter

Their flowers aren't exactly flowers and their seeds aren't actually seeds, but sunflowers are one of the world's most recognizable and loved garden plants.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Free Raised Bed Building Plans

Sunflowers are very easy to grow and pretty low-maintenance. You just need to get a few things right -- and make sure you buy the right seeds.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Surprisingly Good Dollar Store Finds for Gardeners

All those extra petals provide a dense bundle of color, so gardeners love them. But pollinators and other garden wildlife may take a different view.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 24 Clever Garden Problem-Solvers Using Household Items

Extended periods of hot temperatures can create stress for your plants and cause damage -- some that you can see and some you can't. What can you can do about it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: DIY Raised Garden Bed with Built-in Privacy Wall

Bolting can ruin your vegetables in a blink of an eye. You can sometimes avoid it, but it's really just part of the natural lifecycle of plants.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: When to Take Plant Cuttings (Season By Season)

Why would we ever want to wound our plants? Can we really get more growth by cutting parts off? And what about more blooms?READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Deadhead Flowers for More Blooms

It's one of the most common garden diseases and one that gardeners quickly learn to identify. What is it and can we do anything about it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Create a Dream Garden on a Low Budget

It's a popular organic insecticide touted for being effective on caterpillars and harmless to people. How does it work? And does it live up to its billing?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Tips & Tools for Sowing Tiny Seeds

Some plants have developed flowers that send a message to pollinators -- hey come check this out, you won't be disappointed.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 14 Birdbath Planter Ideas for Your Garden

Concluding our look at moon gardening. Is there reason to believe we'd get better results in the garden if we planted by moon phases and the zodiac?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Forget the Epsom Salts -- It's a Garden Myth

Lots of people love to do it, others have a hard time taking it seriously. Much of the growth in popularity in moon gardening over the last century is due to the influence of Rudolf Steiner.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Plant Patents and Home Gardens: What You Need to Know

Lots of people love to do it ... many others think it's wacky. Is there any basis for gardening by the phase of the moon?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 5 Smart Garden Uses for This Dollar Store Waste Basket

It's been riding a wave of popularity since Joel Karsten's book came out in 2013. What is straw bale gardening, and why might you want to try it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Clematis 101 Easy Care Guide

Millions of people have bought the book over the last 40 years. Is square foot gardening something you might want to try in your garden?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 12 Creative Crafty Uses for Slow Cookers

You name it, and milk is suggested as a solution in the garden -- a fungicide, insecticide, bactericide, fertilizer, biostimulant, disinfectant, hand sanitizer and more. Is there actually something to it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 25 Vegetable Garden Ideas for Any Size Space

They're not always the most welcome plant in the garden, although many people like to have dandelions -- for themselves and ... maybe for bees too?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make Fossil Imprint Stepping-Stones

Most of us would probably call ourselves organic gardeners to some degree -- and maybe entirely. But what is organic gardening, exactly?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: The History of Seed & Nursery Catalogs for Gardeners

You buy a plant from the garden center, bring it home, love it, and decide to divide it or take some cuttings so you can have even more. But in some cases you're actually breaking the law.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 50 Creative Garden Shed Ideas

It's widely touted as a safe, organic alternative to synthetic pesticides, and it will kill a long list of pests. But neem oil isn't for everyone.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Transplant Raspberries and Grow More Fruit

They drain the energy out of your plants and inject them with viruses. What can we do to stop aphids? What about ladybugs? Diatomaceous earth? Sticky traps?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: What is Soil pH and How to Work With It

They're tiny insects that can sap plants of their energy, give them viruses, and coat them with black mold. They're also born pregnant and can quickly multiply on your plants.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 14 Creative and Functional Potting Bench Ideas

It's not just some pretty decoration for your garden! Mulch delivers benefits to your plants, your soil ... and will even save you some work.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Do You Know Hummingbirds? Take the Quiz and Find Out!

One of the biggest threats our new seedlings face is damping-off. What can we do to improve our odds of avoiding it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Best Living Plants for Miniature Gardens (Resource Guide)

What is it about the no-dig approach that is so appealing? What are some of the objections? And what does the research say?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow String of Pearls (Semecio rowleyannus)

No-dig methods lower the apprehension of many new gardeners and have attracted lots of adherents over the years. Others question if a garden can really go without a good digging.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Sunflowers and What to Avoid

You can help strengthen your seedlings by giving them a quick, gentle brushing -- maybe with your hand or something lighter.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 12 Smart Tips for Starting a Budget-Friendly Organic Garden

It's a plant hack that has taken off on social media. Is shaking your plants just silliness, or is there actually something to it?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Germination Trick for Stubborn Delphinium Seeds

In much of the U.S. and Canada, we will soon be welcoming hummingbirds back to our gardens. When will they arrive and how can we prepare?READ MORE AT Empress of Dirt: 2021 Hummingbird Migration Map (Find Out When to Expect Them)

Salts are the source of essential nutrients for your plants, but they can also interfere with plant growth and even kill plants.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Perennials with Long-Lasting Blooms

It's often recommended but seldom done. Do we really need to get our soil tested?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 4 Essential Tips for Indoor Seed Starting Success

Free plants that you weren't expecting to find in your garden can be a nice surprise -- but may not always be what you want.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Is Wood Ash a Good Soil Amendment?

Seeds all have different labels on the packets -- open-pollinated, hybrid, heirloom, organic -- so what do those labels mean?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 12 Tips for Growing Giant Sunflowers

When we propagate plants from seeds we usually get a genetic combination of two parent plants. But some plants can actually produce clones of themselves through seeds.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 60 Herbal Plants to Grow for Homemade Tea

Many of us are getting to the time of year when we can start seeds indoors -- but we may need to hold off just a little bit longer. Why is that?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Using Biochar as a Soil Amendment (Pros and Cons)

Many people generate a lot of ashes over the winter from fireplaces and wood stoves. There's some good stuff in there for plants, so can we use wood ash in the garden?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Flower Growing Secrets & Common Mistakes

Some gardeners come to love scientific names and take pride in learning them ... for others they can seem a bit pompous. But there are good reasons that our plants need scientific names.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Perennial Flower Bloom Times From Spring to Fall

Juniper berries, ginkgo fruit and others may look like fruit, but botanists say otherwise. So, if they aren't fruit, what are those fruit-like structures produced by non-flowering seed plants?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow a Peach (or Plum) Tree From the Pit

We're heading into peak seed-starting season in this part of the world. If you haven't started seeds indoors before, this is a great year to start -- and now is the time to get ready.MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside Grow Outside

Manure from different animals is a popular addition to garden soil but you'll also hear a lot of warnings about its use. And what about using waste from your pets?

Have you heard the one about how you can tell a female bell pepper from a male? Well, that one's just a myth -- fruit isn't male or female. But plants can be.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow An Apple Tree From Seed

It's very different from what we do with plants growing outdoors in the soil. With houseplants, it's all on us to make sure that the essential nutrients are available.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Asparagus (and Plant Crowns)

Stratification is a technique used to give dormant seeds the experience of changing seasons even when they've only gone from a drawer into our fridge.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Winter Sowing: Starting Seeds Outdoors in Milk Jugs

There are things we can do with dormant seeds to prod them along and get them to germinate. One of the most important for gardeners is scarification.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: What to Prune in Winter

Seed dormancy can be frustrating for gardeners -- having seeds that won't germinate -- but it's an important part of the survival of many plant species.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Science-based Companion Planting Tips for Growing Vegetables

Most places now have recycling programs for Christmas trees -- or you can try one of the 25 creative projects from our list to put your tree to good use.MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: 25 Creative Ways to Reuse Christmas Trees

It's no fun to shovel, and it can look lovely ... but is that blanket of snow good or bad for your plants?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Easy Winter Composting in a Cold Climate

Lots of reports this year that Christmas trees have been harder to find. Also lots of questionable advice out there about the best ways to care for your tree.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 6 Craft Recipes to Make Fake Snow

Holly is another of the popular plants of the Christmas season -- although they are considered to be invasive in many areas. And maybe just a little toxic too.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Root Pothos Cuttings

Native to Mexico, poinsettias have been a symbol of Christmas for over 100 years. They can be kept as perennials ... and, no, they aren't actually poisonous.MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make Poinsettias Rebloom as Houseplants

One of our favorite Christmas decorations is a parasitic plant that feeds off of others and is sometimes thought to be toxic, although that part is often overstated.POPULAR THIS WEEK FROM Empress of Dirt: Christmas Cactus or Thanksgiving? How to ID Your Plant

What needs to happen for a graft to be successful -- and what can we do to improve our odds that it actually does happen?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 6 Tips for Growing Hollyhocks and Dealing With Rust

Grafting is one of the fundamental techniques of plant propagation where you create a new plant by connecting pieces of different plants.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Ideas for Better Backyard Privacy

Lots of year-in-review articles and surveys have started to appear -- and, by all accounts, it was a fantastic year for garden centers and for gardening.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 39 Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs to Regrow from Scraps

We know a lot about plastic in the ocean, but we're only beginning to understand its effect in soil. Are plastics safe for gardening and what can we do to make them safer?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Geraniums Indoors as Houseplants

Can you really give your plants the water and nutrients they need through their leaves from sprays instead of through their roots from the soil?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Easy Way to Grow Ginger Root Indoors

The cuticle is where your plants interact with the world. Among many roles, they largely control how effective plant sprays are.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Beautiful Backyard Pond Ideas For All Budgets

You may never get fruit from it, but it's actually pretty easy to grow an avocado plant from seed. If you're fairly new to plant propagation, it's a great way to start.MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow an Avocado from Seed (Easy Method)

We hear a lot about frost and freezing and the difference between them, but nothing suddenly happens with the first frost on the ground or with the first freezing temperatures.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Collect and Grow Milkweed Seeds

In the fall, we may scramble to bring some plants indoors or cover them -- while others will make it through the winter fine. What do frost and cold temperatures do to plants?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Preserve Fall Leaves and Wildflowers with Beeswax

They're one of the easiest plants to grow -- even if they are garden hogs -- and were one of the first vegetables ever cultivated.ALSO FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Root Pothos Cuttings

Some people are still reluctant to "leave the leaves" -- and one objection is that leaves will "rob the soil" of an essential nutrient.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 4 Easy Ways to Overwinter Geraniums

There's lots of good nutrients in fall leaves -- and we know not to send them to landfill -- but can we really just "leave the leaves"?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Cover Crops to Improve Your Garden Soil

You'll find all sorts of conflicting advice online about planting depth, but does it really make much of a difference how deep you put your bulbs?MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: What to Prune in Fall and What Should Wait

When it comes to planting bulbs, you'll hear a lot of old school advice -- but how much of it should you follow? And how can you protect bulbs from squirrels and other wildlife?MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Flower Bulbs to Plant for Spring Pollinators

You'll hear a lot of conflicting advice about when to plant bulbs in the fall. You have a range of options, and each has strengths and weaknesses.MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Flowering Bulbs to Plant in Fall

Will green tomatoes make you sick? As with green potatoes, they do contain higher concentrations of a toxin, but is it anything to be concerned about?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: When is it Too Late to Plant Trees in Fall?

We found the usual advice not to put potatoes in the fridge was iffy, but what about their close relatives -- tomatoes?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Overwinter Potted Trees in a Cold Climate

The usual advice given to gardeners is not to store potatoes in the fridge. But is this good advice and what is it based on?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Get a Better Spring Garden With These Fall Tasks

How should you store potatoes and how long will they keep? And is it safe to eat green potatoes?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How Nature Tells Us It's Fall Bulb Planting Time

They're the world's most popular vegetable. End of the season is the time to harvest mature potatoes, but you have to be careful when you do.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow a Pollinator-Friendly Front Garden Without Freaking Out Your Neighbors

It may not the world's best known vegetable, but Swiss chard is a favorite for many gardeners all through the fall.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Save Tomato Seeds From The Fruit

If not chosen carefully, plants for alternative lawns can end up being mushy or patchy and needing frequent reseeding. And you'll probably want a mix of several different kinds.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Replace Lawn With Wildflower Seed Mix

Some lawn alternatives can be pretty wild -- maybe too wild for your neighbours or your neighbourhood, but there are way to help manage that.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Replace Lawn With Wildflower Seed Mix

When we talk about alternative lawns, we could mean an alternative TO a lawn -- such as a meadow -- or an alternative FORM of something we'd still recognize as a lawn. You can take either path.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Replace Lawn With Wildflower Seed MixBOOKS mentioned in this episode:Tapestry Lawns by Lionel SmithLawns Into Meadows by Owen Wormser

We're less obsessed today with the traditional "perfect lawn" -- and the water and chemicals needed to achieve it. But lawns aren't going away -- and there's increased interest in alternative kinds of lawns.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Replace Lawn With Wildflower Seed Mix

We rely on adventitious roots for plant propagation -- as does the horticultural industry. Sometimes we force them and with some plants they happen naturally.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Complete Fall Gardening Checklist (Free Printable)

Flowers, leaves and stems need healthy roots to thrive. And how far from the trunk do a tree's roots extend?POPULAR THIS WEEK at Empress of Dirt: 4 Easy Ways to Overwinter Geraniums (Pelargoniums)

How do plant roots work? What are the different kinds of roots -- and why are they important to plants?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Take Cuttings from Geraniums (Pelargoniums)

What's the best way to store your leftover seeds? Or is there a best way? Is the fridge better than a drawer? And what about a freezer?POPULAR THIS WEEK from Empress of Dirt: 25 Annual and Perennial Flower Seeds to Sow in Fall (Printable List)

If you found thale cress in your garden, you'd probably pull it out. Even insects don't find it interesting. But much of what we know about flowering plants comes from this weed.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Butterfly Water Feeder

There are different ways to make cuttings and different times of the year to make them, but they're all pretty easy to learn.READ MORE from Empress of Dirt:How to Grow Softwood Cuttings (7 Easy Steps)40 Shrubs & Vines to Grow from Hardwood CuttingsHow to Root Pothos CuttingsHow to Grow Hydrangea from CuttingsHow to Grow Clematis from CuttingsHow to Grow African Violets from Leaf Cuttings

It's used in all sorts of things from pool filters to kitty litter -- and in gardening diatomaceous earth is touted as an effective organic pesticide.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Build a Simple Staircase Plant Stand

It's a very popular garden flower from the mint family that not only adds vibrant colour to your garden, but also attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Bee Balm (Monarda) and Attract Pollinators

It's one of the most popular plants grown in gardens around the world -- and one of the biggest vegetable crops worldwide. But it wasn't always that way.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 12 Super Simple Garden Art Ideas

We'd all prefer a simple solution, but preventing blossom-end rot isn't as easy as adding calcium to your soil -- or even consistent watering.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Ideas For Old Doors and Windows in the Garden

What can you do to avoid getting Japanese beetles in your garden -- or at least reduce the damage they do? And do traps do more harm than good?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Grow a Fall-Winter Vegetable Garden (and When to Start)

They only live about 10-15% of their lives above ground, but as both larvae and adults, Japanese beetles can do a lot of damage to your garden.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Softwood Cuttings (7 Easy Steps)

As much as we love them, most of us would have a hard time reliably picking bees out of a lineup.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Will Pine Needles Make My Garden Soil pH Too Acidic?

Gardeners love bees and what they do for our gardens. But some bees get a lot more attention than others. And that may not be good for bees in general.ALSO FROM Empress of Dirt: Popular Garden Myths We've All Fallen For

Fungicides and other sprays. And can you really identify diseases from symptoms?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make Decorative Garden Art Balls (Expert Tips)

We're never going to stop them entirely, but what can we do to reduce our risk of losing plants to disease?NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Fence Taller for Better Privacy

One of the big challenges with plant diseases is that the symptoms plants display can be the same for a variety of diseases. And there are thousands and thousands of plant diseases.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 37 Favorite Garden Quotes, Memes, and Quirky Expressions

Plant diseases take away from our enjoyment of gardening and undo our hard work. Before we can figure out how to avoid them, we need to understand what diseases are.NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Bee Balm (Monarda) and Attract Pollinators

It's been a garden favorite for hundreds of years. And with about 40 species and hundreds of varieties, you can likely find one perfect for your garden.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Lavender Growing Tips and Easy Mistakes to Avoid

Gardeners spend a lot of time under the hot sun -- and UV rays are the main cause of skin cancer, sunburn and aging skin. What's the best way to stay safe?POPULAR THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: How to Start a Pond in Your Backyard

Science supports many of the principles of companion planting, but the specific companion plant recommendations you see everywhere are a different story.NEW THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: Types of Clematis and How to Identify Yours

Current evidence may be skimpy, but there's reason to think that there could be something to companion planting.POPULAR THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Fairy Carrots In Jars

It's a gardening practice that has won a lot of supporters over the years -- and plenty of skeptics too. What is companion planting and how might it help in the garden?POPULAR THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Mango from Seed

When your prevention efforts fail -- and they will -- then what? It helps to know a few things about the weeds you're trying to remove.POPULAR THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: How to Make Decorative Garden Art Balls

Weed seeds can sneak into your garden with anything you put in or on your soil. Also: one easy way to get rid of many weeds.POPULAR THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: 20 Beautiful Backyard Pond Ideas For All Budgets

You'll never prevent weeds from getting to your garden, but there are things you can do to reduce the number you get.NEW THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: Do Oils, Candles, and Certain Plants Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Botanically, there's no such thing as weeds, but even the most upbeat gardener can get a little down in the dumps thinking about weeds they've done battle with.POPULAR THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: How to Clean Gross Murky Pond Water Fast - Without Chemicals

It gets very impassioned recommendations as a way to help your garden and the earth. So what is biochar and should we be using it in our garden?POPULAR THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: 10 Best Vegetables for Clay Soils

The two most important points for gardeners to know about plant nutrition and fertilizer.POPULAR THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Clematis from Cuttings

When we want to add nutrients to our soil we can choose between organic fertilizer and synthetic fertilizer. So, what's the difference?READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Make a Chickadee Nesting Box (Free Plans)

For growing plants in soil, you cannot know what nutrients to add -- if any -- without knowing what's already there.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: 25 Planter Ideas for Porches and Front Gardens

If a particular nutrient is essential to plants and delivers great benefits, it may seem like you should be adding it to your soil. But there's a flaw in that thinking.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Lavender Growing Tips and Easy Mistakes to Avoid

There are about 20 nutrients plants need, but only a handful that gardeners have to spend much time thinking about.POPULAR on Empress of Dirt: How to Grow an Avocado from Seed (Easy Method)

You want to know what your garden soil pH is, but -- as with soil texture -- it's not because you're going to change it.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: How to Choose a Bird Feeder

You can't get far in understanding what's happening to your plants without a rudimentary understanding of ions ... which brings back some high school science.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: How to Create a Dream Garden on a Low Budget

Annual awards come back every year. Annual plants don't. Gardeners soon learn the difference between annual and perennial, but it can be confusing.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Sunflowers and What to Avoid

Reports say the sales of strawberry seeds are way up this year -- even though it takes some patience to start strawberries from seed.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 4 Tips for Growing the Best Strawberries

The move outdoors can be rough on seedlings. You need to help ease them into the harsher conditions of their new life outside.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Prepare Indoor Seedlings for Transplanting

Somebody must like those mulch piles at the base of trees -- you see them everywhere -- but gardening experts have a different opinion.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Phenology: Using Nature's Signs & Signals

From reducing weeds to keeping moisture in your soil, mulching provides a lot of advantages to your garden.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Make a Bluebird Nesting Box (Free Plans)

Mulch can seem like the parsley of gardening -- a nice garnish to add to the top. But it delivers some significant benefits.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: 1-2-3 Seed Starting Plan for Vegetable Gardens

Lots of mentions of "victory gardens" in the news lately -- created in turbulent times when people in large numbers turned to vegetable gardening.READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Vegetables in Containers (Start Here)

They're a source of information you don't want to overlook. Many of the questions you'll have about growing from seeds are answered right on the packets.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How To Read Seed Packets (Tips for Beginners)

As daytime temperatures starting getting pretty nice, we start thinking about sowing seeds outdoors. But when is the time right?READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Best Soil Temperatures for Sowing Seeds

Many plants die every year from overwatering. It's one of the easiest ways to harm your plants -- as you're trying to help them.READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: Gardening With Kids: 35 Playful & Practical Ideas

Something seems to be going on around walnut trees, but is it poison in the soil or something else?READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: Gardening With Kids: 35 Playful & Practical Ideas

It's a question that's been asked for millennia. So you might reasonably think that we'd have a conclusive answer by now.READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: Make a Bluebird Nesting Box (Free Plans)

Some fun facts about our little garden friends. For one, they're the only bird that can really hover ... but they can't walk.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 2020 Hummingbird Migration Map (Find Out When to Expect Them)

In much of the U.S. and Canada, we will soon be welcoming hummingbirds back to our gardens. When will they arrive and how can we prepare?READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 2020 Hummingbird Migration Map (Find Out When to Expect Them)

Spring is going to be different this year, but plants and birds will carry on as if nothing has happened and there's lots to keep you busy.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Fling Into Spring With The Spring Gardening Checklist

It may be the only good news we're getting this week, but it's the beginning of spring and gardens will soon be blooming.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Fling Into Spring With The Spring Gardening Checklist

Once you've tested your soil texture, you'll probably find out that it's less than ideal. What do you do next?READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: What's Your Soil Type? Try This Easy Test

Tiny bits of minerals in your soil are going to make a big difference in your garden -- and it's easy to find out your soil texture.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: What's Your Soil Type? Try This Easy Test

The size of tiny bits of minerals in your soil can make a big difference in your gardening.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: 6 Tips for Growing Hollyhocks and Dealing With Rust

So much of the success of our garden depends on our soil -- a very thin layer where rocks, the atmosphere, living things and water all come together.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: 10 Reasons Hardy Bulbs Like Tulips Will Not Bloom

We know that we plant bulbs in the ground to get new plants, but what are they, exactly?READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: The Beauty of the Fibonacci Sequence in the Garden

There have been seeds that remained viable after more than 1,000 years, but we're usually happy with 5 or 6. How can we extend the life of seeds?READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Germination Trick for Stubborn Delphinium Seeds

The best ways to improve your chances of avoiding damping-off -- and how basic plant care and seed starting mix help.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: 40 Funny, Cute, Sarcastic and Sentimental Garden Signs

It's the biggest threat your seedlings may face -- diseases caused by fungi and other pathogens in the soil.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: How To Read Seed Packets (Tips for Beginners)

Seedlings need water, but you can give them too much of a good thing.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside Grow Outside

Even experienced gardeners can feel anxiety about all the choices for lighting, but it doesn't have to be that complicated.

Continuing our look at what you need to provide your seeds in the stages leading up to germination.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside Grow Outside

Part one of a series on starting seeds indoors. We start off start off with a look at when to start seeds and what they need to germinate.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside Grow Outside

When we start plants from seeds, our first goal is germination. And it usually happens ... even though plants have developed a range of ways to block it.READ MORE from Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside Grow Outside

We know seeds are important for gardeners, but much of the world's nutrition also comes from seeds.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside Grow Outside

Some of our vegetables are fruits, most of the nuts we eat aren't nuts and our berries aren't berries -- but a tomato is.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Starting a Garden From Scratch (Yearly Photos)

Starting off a look at seeds: why they're important and how they form in most of the plants in your garden.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: 40 Unique Container Gardening Ideas

What can you do in your garden to protect and encourage the mycorrhizal fungi in your soil?READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Citrus Trees from Seed (Easy Method)

They help most of the plants in your garden, but does that mean you should buy more mycorrhizal fungi to add to your soil?READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: The Beauty of the Fibonacci Sequence in the Garden

Improving your plants' access to phosphorus and other nutrients is just one of many ways mycorrhizal fungi help your garden.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: 25 Planter Ideas for Porches and Front Gardens

Most of the plants in your garden benefit from a partnership with fungi in the soil -- something we want to protect as gardeners.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Starting a Garden From Scratch (Yearly Photos)

A look at the very rare and endangered Rhizanthella -- the world's only underground flowers.GET OUR FREE WINTER EMAIL SERIES from Empress of Dirt: Sign Up for Weekly Winter Whimsies

With the holiday season behind us, it's the time of year when gardeners can go a little stir crazy waiting for spring.GET OUR FREE WINTER EMAIL SERIES from Empress of Dirt: Sign Up for Weekly Winter Whimsies

You'll hear it said a lot -- and also called a myth. We're skeptical, but trying to find good evidence proved disappointing.READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: 6 Creative Containers for Growing Strawberries

Plants can't grow without it. And yet, despite the fact that nitrogen is everywhere, plants can still struggle to get enough of it.READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: Easy Winter Composting in a Cold Climate

Researchers in Texas found that gardeners score higher in some aspects of life satisfaction -- and stay more physically active.READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: How To Paint Shoes

It's the time of year when many people think of ways to eat healthier in the new year. And that may include a low-carb keto diet.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Give Up Sugar with the Keto Lifestyle

You could put your tree out for recycling -- or try one of the 25 creative projects from our list.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 25 Creative Ways to Reuse Christmas Trees

It's a tradition that goes back over a century and now has 80,000 people participating across the western hemisphere.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Create a Garden Art Birdbath Planter

We have them in our yards but may not know that much about trees and their history. And what is a tree, exactly?READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: 40 Unique Container Gardening Ideas

Winter is the time when gardeners can start to feel the blahs. But cheer up! You can still grow vegetables indoors.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Grow Vegetables Indoors (Easy Beginner's Guide)

Does hairspray or antitranspirant spray really help Christmas trees keep their needles?READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Homemade Peanut Butter Suet (Easy Recipe)

There are all sorts of secret recipes out there, but caring for your tree is really pretty simple.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Easy Winter Composting in a Cold Climate

We all know about tree rings, but there's a lot to know about trees and how they grow.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Wood Burning For Beginners (Easy Guide)

What can you do with your poinsettias after Christmas? Many end up in the garbage, but there are much better alternatives.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Make Poinsettia Bloom

This month, hundreds of people will post very considerate reminders that poinsettias are poisonous to pets. But how dangerous are they?READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: Easy Winter Composting in a Cold Climate

For gardeners on your Christmas gift list -- some ideas for practical gifts they'll enjoy.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 20 Essential Gifts for Garden Nerds

Thursday is Thanksgiving in the U.S. -- the only holiday we have that's based, in part, on growing vegetables.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Homemade Peanut Butter Suet (Easy Recipe)

Most of us love our garden centers. An annual survey says most of them in the U.S. and Canada had a pretty good 2019.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: Make Snowman Hot Chocolate Kits in Jars

Lots of stories about how it's been a great year for acorns in many areas. Why is there so much variation from year to year?READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: How to Make Crispy Baked Veggie Snack Chips

Propagation from cuttings has become a hot topic in recent years. The best way to learn is to dive in. And a pothos is a great place to start.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Root Pothos Cuttings

Monday was the 100th anniversary of the first Remembrance Day. For almost that entire century, its main symbol hass been the poppy.READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: How to Make Crispy Baked Veggie Snack Chips

The Global Seed Vault is about 800 miles from the North Pole and keeps a million of the world's most important seeds safe.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: The Global Seed Vault -- Safeguarding Food Seeds for the Future

It's the end of the growing season, but by forcing bulbs indoors, you can still have fresh flowers in just a few weeks.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Force Flowering Bulbs Indoors and Get the Timing Just Right

Pumpkins may have been the first cultivated plant in North and Central America -- nearly 10,000 years ago.READ THE LATEST from Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Flower Bulbs for Beginner Gardeners

Every year at this time millions of pumpkins get thrown in the garbage. For gardeners, there's a simple alternative.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Are Halloween Pumpkins Edible?

Freezing temperatures are on the way -- what can you do to keep your pond fish alive and well through the winter?READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: Beginner Watercolor Painting with Painterly Days

In some areas, it's not rare to see blue jays appearing to eating paint. There's a good explanation.SIGN UP for our fall email series at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

Some years, the colors are more vibrant than others. Same trees, same place and time. Why so much variation?SIGN UP for our fall email series at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

For a long time we had a good explanation for why leaves change colour. Now we're a little less certain.SIGN UP for our fall email series at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

Dehydration is a great way to have the fruit your harvested available to eat all through the winter.SIGN UP for our fall email series at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

For most of us in the U.S. and Canada, they've left our gardens and are heading toward Mexico and Central America.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 2019 Fall Hummingbird Migration

Fall and winter provide the best opportunities to handfeed birds. How can you improve your chances of success?READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Hand-Feed Wild Birds

What are the benefits of cover crops -- and are they right for you?

What are cover crops -- and how can you use them in your garden?

What is winter squash and how can you tell when it's ready to be harvested?Sign up for our free series of fall gardening ideas at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

There's lots of advice out there about when to harvest your watermelons. What's practical for a home gardener?Sign up for our free series of fall gardening ideas at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

You hear lots of experts recommending balanced fertilizer -- but how do they know what your soil needs?

A mulch that might last for decades! But it has drawbacks and there's still a lot we don't know.

Cooler temperatures are coming. Can you pick your tomatoes from the vine and have them ripen indoors?READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 25 Fruits That Ripen After Picking (and Those That Don't)

The use of peat in gardening has become a hot button issue. What damage does it do to the environment?

Contaminants get into water as it runs down your roof. Is it still okay to use in the garden?

Gardeners bring a lot of plastic home from the store and much of it doesn't get used for very long.

Part one of an occasional series of episodes on the basics of plant propagation. What is propagation?READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Kitchen Propagation Handbook | 7 Fruits & Veggies to Regrow

The underlying science is complex, but you can quickly and easily get started creating your own houseplants.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Kitchen Propagation Handbook | 7 Fruits & Veggies to Regrow

Vermicomposting isn't difficult -- lots of people are doing it. But there are things to watch out for.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Worm Tower | In-Ground Composter

Some worms are much better than others for vermicomposting. But there are tradeoffs.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Worm Tower | In-Ground Composter

A first look at worm composting. What it is and why it's good for your garden and the environment.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Worm Tower | In-Ground Composter

Frost is a threat to plants. One of their responses is to free sugar stored as starch.

Gardeners spend a lot of time under the hot sun. What's the best way to stay safe?

U.S. regulators want more information about the safety of sunscreen ingredients. Is is still safe to use sunscreen?

Watering our gardens to do what's best for our plants while reducing our use of water.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 7 Smart Watering Tips for Home Gardeners

Why is water so important to plants and what do they do with all this water?READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 7 Smart Watering Tips for Home Gardeners

It covers the Earth but many people don't have enough. Part 1 of a look at water and watering.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 7 Smart Watering Tips for Home Gardeners

Can you really burn the leaves of your plants by watering them in the midday sun?

Scientific plant names can change, but they provide a precision you can't get with common names.

It takes some work, but you can grow citrus trees outside of tropical areas.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Citrus Trees from Seed | Easy Method

Yes, you can save seeds from fruit you buy at the store and grow citrus trees from them.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Citrus Trees from Seed | Easy Method

Part two of our look at poison ivy -- how to avoid a rash if you touch it.

Part one of our look at poison ivy -- what it is and what it can do to you if you touch it.

In a new opinion piece, biologists say plants have never had a need for consciousness.

A UK study found most plants sold in local stores weren't particularly appealing to pollinators.

It can be daunting to take snips to your plants, but in no time it will be second-nature.

You'll find lots of lists with plenty of different answers. But how good are these lists?

It ruins lots of tomatoes every year. No shortage of suggestions, but is it so simple?

They do a fine job of killing pests like aphids, but there are good reasons not to buy them.READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Myths and Facts About Ladybugs in Your Garden

Skunks do some good in your garden, but can be a problem. And there is an effective treatment for skunk spray.

What are some of the key ingredients that make potting soil so good for container gardening?Related story at Empress of Dirt: 5 Recipes for Blending Your Own Soil Mixes

You don't want to throw it out and replacing it every year can be pricey. Can you reuse your potting mix?Related story at Empress of Dirt: 5 Recipes for Blending Your Own Soil Mixes

An easy and inexpensive way to keep ants away from your hummingbird feeder. With a DIY option!Read more at Empress of Dirt: Ants on Your Hummingbird Feeder? This DIY Moat Will Stop Them

A popular new article says they're the last thing you should put in your garden. Are coffee grounds that bad?

It's garden tour season! A great way to see all the creative things people in your area are doing with their gardens.

We talked about the benefits of moths in part 1. So how do you attract them to your garden?

Moths are lepidoptera, just like butterflies, but one gets much more love from gardeners than the other.

It can be annoying to have birds tapping on your window. Why are they doing it and can you get them to stop?

A lab test of your soil is more expensive and takes longer than a home test kit. Is it worth it?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Soil Testing: Home Kits versus Lab

You decide to get your soil tested. Should you use a lab or a DIY home test kit?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Soil Testing: Home Kits versus Lab

It's often suggested that we get our garden soil tested. Most of us don't, but should we?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Soil Testing: Home Kits versus Lab

pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions -- why is this important for gardeners?

No more bland store-bought tomatoes! Or so says a new story out this week.

Final part of a series on mosquitoes: If you're looking to avoid repellents, you're rolling the dice with alternatives.

Part 3 of a series on mosquitoes: The repellents that research shows are effective.

Part 2 of a series on mosquitoes: DEET is effective and safe, but some people prefer alternatives.

Starting a series on mosquitoes and what we can do so they're less of a problem for us in the garden.

Scientists gave a thumbs up to hot water with an extract from coconut and corn oils. We're skeptical.

Charles Barnard's "My Handkerchief Garden" is a pioneering and fun look at backyard farming.

You're digging in your garden and you come across some bones. Are they human? What do you do?

Did fruits and vegetables have more minerals and vitamins in our great-grandparents' days?

It's a story that's been all over the Internet this week. But is it true?

Some say our feeders kill birds by luring them toward windows. What's the evidence?

Millions of birds die every year after crashing into windows. Can we lower those numbers?

Is "plant blindness" a serious problem or just botanists getting puffed up? Or both?

Lots of people enjoy moon gardening. Should you be joining them?

New research shows the potential for gardening to improve memory in seniors.

Every now and then, you still see it suggested as a way to reduce soil pH. Does it work?

Companion planting sounds like it could work, but demonstrating it has been challenging.

They're on the way in much of the U.S./Canada -- when can you expect to see them and how can you get ready?See the 2019 migration map at Empress of Dirt: 2019 Hummingbird Migration Map | Find Out When to Expect Them

So many things you've been thinking about doing in the garden this year, and now the time has come!Get the Full Spring Checklist at Empress of Dirt: Spring Gardening Checklist | Free Printable

Butterflies have putting on quite a show in California this week -- possibly a billion of them.

It's the 30th anniversary of Gardening Australia -- which is easy to find no matter where you live.

Recent stories may make you think the answer is no. It isn't.

No, not with coffee grounds or rusty nails or pennies ... but there is a metal involved.Read our detailed guide to hydrangea at Empress of Dirt: How to Identify and Prune Your Hydrangea

Wrapping up our three-episode series -- can we come to a conclusion about compost tea's effectiveness?

There are challenges in studying compost tea and it's not surprising there's disagreement.

Maybe people swear by it, others say it's overhyped at best and even lump it it with garden myths.

New research shows plants can remove dangerous chemicals from the air -- after being genetically modified.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Do Houseplants Really Purify the Air? Spoiler Alert: No

Do you only need 15-20 plants to clean the air in your house ... or is it more like 700?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Do Houseplants Really Purify the Air? Spoiler Alert: No

It's been talked about for decades but are houseplants really natural air fresheners?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Do Houseplants Really Purify the Air? Spoiler Alert: No

Are onions with sprouts okay to eat? The sprouts too? Or should we just throw the whole thing out?Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Regrow Sprouted Onion Bulbs | Are They Safe to Eat?

CatBibs, bells, and other ways to reduce the number of birds killed by pet cats.

Cats kill millions of birds every year. Should we let them in our gardens and yards?

We may not like it, but frost definitely plays an influential role in gardening.

It's printed on seed packets and sounds clear, but at best it's only a rough guide.Read our detailed guide to starting seeds at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside, Grow Outside

Some frequently asked questions about starting seeds indoors with grow lights.Read our detailed guide at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside, Grow Outside

Get a jumpstart on spring and start growing the plants you want now, indoors.Read our detailed guide at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside, Grow Outside

It's been extremely cold in much of North America this week. How do the birds get by?Read more at Empress of Dirt: How Wild Birds Survive the Cold

Can plants extend their roots toward the sound of water?

New research suggests that plants can not only hear, they can respond to sounds quickly.

They've become very popular as an alternative to plastic cling wrap. We've got a step-by-step guide.Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Make Beeswax Wraps | Plastic-Free Food Storage

Millions of people feed tons of food to birds each year -- is it helpful or harmful?Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Right Birdseed for Backyard Birds and Avoid Feeder Problems

As with seeds, different bird species prefer different kinds of feeders.Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Right Birdseed for Backyard Birds and Avoid Feeder Problems

To attract the most birds, you'll want a mix of seeds. Here are six to try and one to avoid.Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Right Birdseed for Backyard Birds and Avoid Feeder Problems

Different birds prefer different seeds, but some are much more liked than others.Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Right Birdseed for Backyard Birds and Avoid Feeder Problems

It's one of the most popular ways that people interact with wild animals.

Whether solitary or social, there's something for you in gardening -- from new university research.

It's a story that's been making the rounds. Some gardeners are skeptical. Is it legit?

Seed catalogs have been part of the gardener's planning process for over a century.Read more at Empress of Dirt: The History of Seed & Nursery Catalogs for Gardeners

You could just put the tree out for recycling -- or try one of the creative projects we've listed.Read more at Empress of Dirt: 25 Creative Ways to Reuse Christmas Trees

Lots of water? YES! Bleach? NO! Antitranspirant sprays? Probably not.

Lots of gardeners swear by techniques they say work for them. How convinced should you be?

You can keep poinsettias through the year. And they aren't going to kill you or your pets.Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Poinsettias Indoors and Make Them Rebloom

Looking at Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti and how to encourage blooming.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Holiday Cactus Care and Blooming Tips

A new book -- Vertical Vegetables by Amy Andrychowicz -- will help you build your garden upward.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Life as a Gardener in Minneapolis | Get Busy Gardening

What are native plants and are they always better for our gardens?

Many resources have been devoted to removing nonnatives, but it's not as straightforward as it may seem.

Why does my compost pile smell so bad? It shouldn't -- and it can be fixed.

There'll be a lot of gifts being given over the next few weeks. If you're looking for ideas, we have some!Read more at Empress of Dirt: 20 Essential Gifts For Garden Nerds

Yes, you can keep composting over the winter, even if you live somewhere with freezing temperatures.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Easy Winter Composting in a Cold Climate

Three greens for one brown! Or is that three browns for one green? Two? Or is it 30 to 1?

One of the key ways we manage our compost pile is making sure we get a good mix of carbon and nitrogen.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Composting 101: Slow & Fast Methods

Nutrients for your plants and better soil structure for your garden, thanks mostly to bacteria.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Composting 101: Slow & Fast Methods

Even in colder climates, you can have fresh veggies from your garden in the winter.Read more at Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Vegetables Outdoors in The Winter

Honey and willow water are often suggested as rooting hormones. But do they work? And why would you try them?

Avocados are very popular, but the seeds usually get thrown out. Is eating them a good idea?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Avocado Seeds Safe to Eat?

Banana peels are a good addition to compost, like many other kitchen scraps.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Banana Peels Good for the Garden?

There are better, safer alternatives to get any benefits baking soda may provide.

Coffee grounds can be used in the garden but may provide fewer benefits than you've heard.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Coffee Grounds Good for the Garden?

Dish soap is often recommended for use in the garden, but how safe is it?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Is Dish Soap Safe for the Garden?

Is salt environmentally safe and harmless in your garden?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Is Salt a Good Weed Killer? What to Know First

Is household vinegar really a harmless and effective herbicide?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Does Vinegar Really Kill Weeds?

Fall is a great time for planting trees, but when is it too cold and too late in the season?Read more at Empress of Dirt: When is it too Late to Plant Trees in Fall?

The nights are starting to get colder and we're coming to that time of year when gardeners ask: when is it too late to plant my bulbs?Read more at Empress of Dirt: How Nature Tells Us It's Fall Bulb Planting Time

Halloween is nearly here and always brings the question: can I eat my Halloween pumpkin?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Halloween Pumpkins Edible?

They've become increasingly popular but may take a little more instruction and effort than you expect.

Everybody loves heirlooms, although there are different ideas about how the term should be applied.

What does it mean to be an organic seed? Do organic seeds result in organic plants?

Hybrids don't have the best PR among seeds, but they can provide traits you're just not going to find in plants grown from open-pollinated seeds.

Chrysanthemums are a fall icon, but if you plant them in your garden now will they survive the winter?Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Plant Hardy Mums Outdoors as Year-Round Perennials

Continuing our look at different types of seeds that you can buy -- or in this case even produce your own, because today we're looking at open-pollinated seeds.

Whether you're opposed to them or would love to try them, it doesn't matter--you can't have them.

It was common practice to place coarse materials at the bottom of pots. An interesting example of how gardening advice can evolve over time.

Most of us used to rake and bag our leaves in the fall, but there are better alternatives for our garden.Read more at Empress of Dirt: 5 Excellent Reasons to Stop Bagging Fall Leaves

Many of us work to attract bees to our garden, but what do we really know about them?

Fall is a perfect time to examine your garden and come up with a pruning plan for the coming months.Read more at Empress of Dirt: What to Prune in Fall and What Should Wait

Gardeners love earthworms, but scientists looking at their effect on our forests are much less likely to praise them.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Earthworms Truly Good for Our Gardens?

Hummingbird feeders in the fall -- do you need to take them down or risk disrupting their migration?Read more at Empress of Dirt: When to Stop Feeding Hummingbirds in Fall

Talking to plants -- lots of people do it and some insist that it helps plants grow. Is there evidence to support this?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Does Talking to Plants Really Help Them Grow?

Rooftop farms are becoming increasingly popular in cities around the world as a way to grow food in dense cities without requiring the use of any new land.

There's a lot more light at night now than ever before. What effect can this have on plants, insects and the entire garden ecosystem?

Digging, no-digging, double-digging -- it's a contentious issue in gardening circles with many people holding quite emphatic views on all sides.

We tend to be so anxious about making sure our garden gets enough water that it's easy to forget you can go too far the other way.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Wilted Plants? You Could Be Overwatering

The internet is filled with articles about how geat Epsom salts are for your garden, but is there any evidence that this is true?Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Epsom Salts Good for Plants or a Garden Myth?

They're chewing up plants from coast to coast in the U.S. and Canada. Is there anything you can do about it?Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Catch Japanese Beetles

Fruit sharing has become increasingly popular, both as a way to reduce food waste and to help city dwellers feel more connected to the food they eat.Read more at Empress of Dirt: Join a Local Fruit Sharing Program