Welcome! I'm Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada). I've got creative and frugal ideas for your home and garden. New to this site? Start here.
Spring is migration time for hummingbirds travelling from their winter homes to breeding habitats in the United States and Canada. Use this map to know when to expect them in your area. ... [Read More...]
Love clematis vines? These tips will help you choose the best clematis trellis to give your flowering vine the support it needs, plus tips for proper placement for plant health and maximum growth an ... [Read More...]
Beneficial nematodes are recommended as an alternative insecticide to treat problems like grub infestations in grass lawns. Let's look at the pros and cons and see if they are a good fit for an eco-be ... [Read More...]
Wondering why nearby hummingbirds aren't visiting your feeders? This checklist looks at why they might be avoiding your yard—or choosing a neighbor’s instead. By understanding what they need, you can … [Read more...]
Be sure to stay on top of these early summer garden chores to avoid missed opportunities for plant propagation and prevent small issues from turning into big problems. If time has slipped away, … [Read more...]
After seeing so many clever repurposed garden projects, it’s easy to forget what to look for once you’re at a yard sale. Keep our printable wishlist handy to jog your memory and help you spot those … [Read more...]
Garden-speak can sound like a secret language, especially when you're just getting started. This guide unpacks the oddest terms—like bolting, deadheading, and hardening off—with friendly, … [Read more...]
For some cold-climate gardeners, May marks the month of the last frosts for the winter and the warming of the garden soil. It’s the time to start growing and getting creative. If you're just … [Read more...]
If you’re looking for gardening and nature books that explore how the outdoors shapes our lives (and vice versa), this is a growing list of titles I’m reading, enjoying, and recommending, covering … [Read more...]
A smelly compost pile is a sign something's wrong. Learn why compost can smells like rotten eggs or ammonia and how to fix it with these simple steps. If you would like a refresher on the basics, … [Read more...]
