SEARCH
MENU
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
Creative & Frugal Home & Garden Ideas

Empress of Dirt

  • Grow
  • Make
  • Ideas

New here?

Dig in!

Start here

Plant Growing Tips

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

Popular

How to Care for Christmas Cactus Year-Round

Top Strawberry Growing Tips

7 Best Tips for Growing Dahlias (Year After Year)

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...]

Choosing the Right Fertilizer: Organic, Synthetic, or None at All?

Published on March 20, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Gloved hand holding granulated plant fertilizer.

Wondering which fertilizer to use in your garden? This guide explains the differences between organic and synthetic fertilizers and how to choose the best option for your garden's long-term … [Read more...]

What is “Days to Maturity” on Seed Packets?

Published on March 14, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Vintage seed packets

Learn what "days to maturity" means in gardening, how it's calculated, and why it matters—especially for cold-climate gardeners planning their growing season. If you are new to gardening, learning … [Read more...]

What Every Gardener Should Know About Their Growing Space

Published on February 27, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Bee flying over Echinacea flower

Knowing your garden’s growing conditions helps you select the right plants, plan for seasonal changes, and make sustainable choices. Use these tips to create your own garden profile, covering … [Read more...]

Seed Viability Chart: How Long Seeds Last in Storage

Published on April 27, 2024 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Collage showing various plants and their seed viability years.

This seed viability chart shows how long garden seeds stay viable. Each type has a different shelf life, so labeling packets with “sow by” dates helps. Seed Storage: Top Tips For Storing Seeds at … [Read more...]

How to Grow Peonies & Get Blooms

Published on April 5, 2024 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Dark and light pink peony flowers.

Use these tips to grow peonies for a yearly show of gorgeous blooms. We’ve answered common questions for the care of these favorite, long-living perennials. We also have 6 Tips for Growing … [Read more...]

Buying Soil For Your Garden? Read This First

Published on March 14, 2024 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Garden plants and soil with stone border.

Whether marketed as topsoil, black soil, black earth, or some other catchy phrase, it’s not easy to know what’s in the bag. Use these tips to help guide your soil shopping decisions. If you need … [Read more...]

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 22
  • Next Page »

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.
More: Contact/About
New here? Dig in!  |  Our Podcast

Handy Resources

  • Year-at-a-Glance Garden Task List
  • Create Your Garden Profile
  • Soil-Mulch-Potting Mix Calculator
  • Garden Name Generator
  • Printable Garden Planner
  • Favorite Garden Quotes
  • Botanical Plant Names 101
DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS

Some articles on this site contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Affiliate and Ad Disclosure | Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 · Empress of Dirt Creative + Frugal Home & Garden Ideas