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

Empress of Dirt

  • Grow
  • Make
  • Ideas

New here?

Dig in!

Start here

Seasonal Garden Tips

Helpful garden tips and important tasks for specific seasons throughout the year—spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Season

Spring   Summer   Fall / Winter
Overwintering Tips   Seasonal Checklists

 

Popular

4 Ways to Overwinter Geraniums (Pelargoniums)

What to Prune in Fall and What Should Wait

What is Overwintering?

What to Prune in Winter (Trees, Shrubs, & Vines)

Published on December 22, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Hand holding tree lopper pruners in a snowy winter garden.

There are many trees and shrubs to prune in late winter while the plants are still dormant and before the warmer weather returns. I’ve included a plant checklist to save for future … [Read more...]

The Complete Guide to Winter Sowing Seeds: Tips & Timing

Published on December 2, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Winter sowing supplies including milk jug cut open in middle with seedlings growing inside.

Winter sowing is a popular new way to start seeds outdoors in jugs or containers for spring sprouting—perfect for a variety of plants. Grab old milk jugs or other containers to act like mini … [Read more...]

How To Compost In The Winter (Easy Method)

Published on November 30, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Putting out compost in the winter garden.

Yes, you can compost all winter in a cold climate. Here’s how I store kitchen scraps in a simple, animal-proof setup so they’re ready to break down in spring. If you’re new to composting, I have a … [Read more...]

Fall Tasks For Your Best Ever Spring Garden

Published on August 9, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Collage showing fall leaves, flower bulbs, and flowering bulbs.

Spring beauty starts in fall. See what you can do now to give your garden a jump-start for the season ahead. Also be sure to get the free, printable Fall Gardening Checklist for more ways … [Read more...]

Why No Mow May Doesn’t Cut It—And What You Can Do Instead

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

Backyard garden in May with bee and dandelions.

It's a catchy idea that's attracted a lot of gardeners, but No Mow May isn't the best way to help pollinators. Find out what gardeners can do instead to support bees and the ecosystem all … [Read more...]

How to Cut & Display Pussy Willow Branches Indoors

Published on April 2, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Pussy willow tree catkins on branches

Unlike other spring branches we force to bloom indoors, pussy willows should be kept dry after cutting to preserve their soft, fuzzy catkins. To force flowering trees and shrubs to bloom indoors in … [Read more...]

2025 Spring Gardening Checklist (Free Printable)

Published on March 15, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Empress of Dirt in the spring garden.

Use this spring gardening checklist to get your garden in shape as the days become warmer and longer. While some tasks should wait until after last frost, there are plenty of things to do now. For … [Read more...]

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 5
  • 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