Are you ready to dig in?
Whether you want to grow plants indoors or outdoors, I’ve got you covered.
Much of the advice here is suited to four-season cold climate gardens (USDA and Canadian hardiness zones 4 to 8). Some things may work for colder areas and I have no experience with hotter areas.
I have been gardening for many years and do my best to work with nature—not against it.
This means I grow organically, and, to keep it frugal, start a lot of plants from seed and expand on what thrives in this environment.
Here in Ontario, Canada (zone 6b), I grow vegetables, fruit, flowering perennials, trees, and shrubs. I also have two small ponds and welcome the wild things that gather there.
You can see a yearly photo tour of my garden here.
I produce as much compost as I can to enrich the soil (an ongoing struggle) and avoid all short-term fixes including sprays.
Grow
Grow Topics
Main Categories
Plant Propagation | Growing Tips | Food Growing
Seasonal Tips | Indoor Growing
Popular
- How to Grow Avocado From Seed | If you’ve been trying to root avocado seeds by suspending them over a glass of water with toothpicks, there is an easier way. I’ll show you a no-fuss way to root avocado pits to create new houseplants.
- How to Grow Pothos From Cuttings | This simple tutorial shows how to take cuttings from your pothos houseplant (Epipremnum aureum) and root them for new plants.
- How to Grow Mango From Seed | This easy method shows how to grow a mango tree from seed using a mango from the grocery store. Eat the mango, save the seed, and follow these simple steps to grow it into a plant.
- Four Easy Ways to Overwinter Geraniums | There are several ways to overwinter geraniums (Pelargoniums) from your garden. With some newspaper, a cardboard box, paper bag, or a sunny windowsill, you can keep these tender perennials for the winter and have fresh blooms next spring and summer. I’ll walk you through the options and provide winter care tips.
- How to Grow Pineapple From the Top | Yes, you can grow a pineapple plant from the top of the fruit. This shows you how to prepare the fruit, take the right cutting, and root it in water for a new plant.
1Outdoor Gardening
- Seasonal | Spring | Summer | Fall and Winter
- Seasonal Garden Tasks | A year-round checklist
- Flower Growing Guides | Tips for popular plants
- Fruit & Vegetable Growing Tips | Grow food anywhere
- Garden Fundamentals | Basics for new growers and garden folklore
- Frugal & Organic Garden Tips | Save money: kind to earth
- Pruning and Deadheading | When to snip and clip
- Plant Lists | Handy idea lists
- Ponds and Water Features | Water is life!
2Plant Propagation Tips
- Plant Propagation Tips | Seeds, cuttings, and more.
- 20 Plant Propagation Tutorials For Gardeners
3Indoor Gardening
- Houseplants | Tropical plants and succulent care
- Indoor Food Growing | Veggies and herbs
- Winter-Busting Indoor Garden Projects
4Empress of Dirt Books
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1Outdoor Gardening
Spring
Summer
Fall & Winter
Flowering Growing Tips
Fruit & Vegetable Growing Tips
Garden Fundamentals
Frugal & Organic Garden Tips
Pruning and Deadheading
2Plant Propagation Tips
3Indoor Gardening
These are my best tips for successfully growing tropical houseplants and veggies indoors.
Houseplants
Indoor Food Growing
How to get started growing vegetables and herbs in your home without any special equipment.
4Empress of Dirt Books
These delightful ebooks are available now.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛