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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)

7 Best Tips for Growing Zinnias

Published on August 23, 2021Last updated October 3, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

Pink and red zinnias growing in the garden.

Use these zinnia growing tips to keep these sun-loving flowers in bloom from summer to frost. Fertile soil, consistent water, and stem supports are all key. And, be sure to learn how to pinch your … [Read more...]

How to Pinch Zinnias for More Blooms

Published on August 23, 2021Last updated October 3, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

Pinching a zinnia to encourage more blooms.

Want nice full zinnia plants with lots of flowers? The secret is pinching. By "pinching" or cutting back some stems while the plant is young, zinnias respond by creating more stems and that means more … [Read more...]

Tums For Blossom End Rot & Other Misleading Garden Tips

Published on July 31, 2021Last updated October 3, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

Tomato with marigolds.

Are tums good for tomatoes? Can the right plants repel mosquitoes? Learn more about these and other commonly-shared garden myths and why they don't work. If you're interested in garden folklore, … [Read more...]

Do Sunflowers Really Track the Sun?

Published on July 25, 2021Last updated October 3, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

Sunflower facing the morning sun.

Do sunflowers really move their flowerheads to face the sun throughout the day? Are they really tracking the sun across the sky? Let's have a look at what these beautiful plants are up to. If you … [Read more...]

The Trouble With Double Flowers (Sorry, Pollinators!)

Published on July 13, 2021Last updated October 3, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

Peony flower with bee.

While we love the beauty of double flowers like hybrid roses, peonies, and coneflowers, compact, frilly blooms make it impossible for pollinators to collect nectar and pollen. With thoughtful plant … [Read more...]

7 Cheap (But Smart) Tips to Create Your Dream Garden

Published on June 15, 2021Last updated October 3, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

Garden fence with creative art and window boxes of purple pansies.

These smart, low cost garden ideas help new gardeners create an eco friendly garden on a tight budget. With patience and effort, thrifty choices add up. If you want more frugal ideas see How to … [Read more...]

Why Dandelions Are Misunderstood (Whether You Like Them or Not)

Published on May 15, 2021Last updated October 4, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

Bee collecting nectar on a dandelion.

Have you seen dandelions touted as an essential first food for bees in spring? Or do you just regard them as annoying weeds? We fact-checked the claims andโ€”no surpriseโ€”the truth lands squarely … [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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