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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)

What to Know Before Reusing Old Potting Mix

Published on February 23, 2024 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Garden trowel, potting mix, and potted flowers.

While reusing potting mix is common, it can harbor disease and impact plant health. Use our tips to determine when it's time for a refresh. We also have this handy soil calculator to figure out … [Read more...]

How to Get Delphiniums to Bloom Twice in One Season

Published on December 1, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Delphiniums and other flowers in the garden.

If you want a second set of blooms after your delphiniums have flowered, use this simple method to encourage additional blooms. For more delphinium growing tips, also see Delphiniums: Growing … [Read more...]

How to Grow Sweet Pea Flowers & What to Avoid

Published on August 30, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Pink sweet pea flowers growing in the garden.

Use these tips to grow sweet pea flowers (Lathyrus odoratus) from seed in your garden in spring or a greenhouse in fall. With the right growing conditions and care, these old-fashioned flowers will … [Read more...]

How to Test Seeds For Germination (Paper Towel Test)

Published on July 6, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Testing seeds for viability and germination rates.

Curious whether your seeds are still viable? This simple paper towel test shows which seeds will germinate along with anticipated germination rates ahead of planting time. For seed starting … [Read more...]

How to Write Botanical Plant Names (Tips For Gardeners)

Published on July 1, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Flowers in the garden.

This beginner’s guide to botanical names shares the basics for gardeners wanting to get comfortable using the scientific names for plants. Once you understand the conventions for how the names are … [Read more...]

Table Salt as a Weed Killer: Why It’s More Harm Than Help

Published on June 21, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Pouring salt on dandelion.

We hear advice to use table salt as a weed killer and see it recommended in recipes for diy weed treatments. But it's not that simple. Even though salt is "natural," it is not harmless. Excess salt … [Read more...]

Hostas for Sun: Sun-Tolerant Options For Your Garden

Published on June 20, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Hostas in a sunny garden.

Can hostas grow in the sun? Yes, while we think of hostas as shade plants, there are dozens of varieties that thrive in full-sun conditions so long as the roots receive consistent moisture and never … [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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