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Plant Growing Tips

Tips and tutorials for growing a variety of plants including annuals and perennials including flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and vines.

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How to Care for Christmas Cactus Year-Round

Top Strawberry Growing Tips

7 Best Tips for Growing Dahlias (Year After Year)

Why Gardeners Are Going Peat-Free

Published on July 5, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Bowl of potting mix with peat.

Peat has long been a staple in commercial potting mixes, but growing environmental concerns are prompting gardeners to seek more sustainable, peat-free alternatives. We also have guides on … [Read more...]

12 Sweet & Juicy Tomato Growing Tips

Published on June 4, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Collage of images of tomato plants, fruits, and flowers.

A beginner-friendly guide to growing delicious tomatoes from seed to harvest. Discover everything you need to grow healthy plants and sweet, juicy fruit. If you want to grow tomatoes from seed, … [Read more...]

What to Do About Mealybugs on Houseplants

Published on May 26, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Mealybug infestation on houseplants

Learn how to identify, manage, and prevent mealybug infestations on your houseplants with practical tips for spotting signs early and keeping plants healthy. If you've got little jumping bugs, see … [Read more...]

Will My Flowering Bulbs Come Back Next Year?

Published on May 24, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Flowering tulips in the spring garden.

Learn which flowering bulbs come back each year, which don’t, and how to care for perennial varieties after blooming to give them the best chance of flowering again. If you're new to this, see How … [Read more...]

Garden Speak: Odd Terms That Confuse & Amuse New Gardeners

Published on May 1, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Garden image with examples of garden jargon words like bolting and deadheading.

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...]

Why Your Compost Pile Stinks & How to Fix It

Published on April 26, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Drawing of a stinky compost pile with compost and chopped vegetables.

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...]

The Problem With Companion Plant Lists

Published on April 10, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Examples of common companion planting recommendations including tomato and basil.

Most companion planting advice found in "friend or foe" lists is based on guesswork, not science. Instead of trying to accommodate these made-up lists, learn what to prioritize instead. If you're … [Read more...]

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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
Join me as I share creative + frugal home & garden ideas with a dash of humor.
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