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Birds & Other Wildlife

60 Plants Butterflies Must Have to Survive

Published on July 24, 2020Last updated November 18, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Butterfly in garden.

We know it’s important to provide flowers that attract butterflies, but there’s another important element that is often overlooked: the baby nursery. Without the specific plant species needed, … [Read more...]

Easy DIY Ant Moat For Hummingbird Feeders

Published on June 1, 2020Last updated October 5, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Hummingbird approaching moat at feeder that prevents ants from getting in the sugar water.

If you have ants raiding your hummingbird feeder, this simple DIY moat will prevent them from ever reaching the sugar water. I’ve been using mine for a while now, and it completely solved the … [Read more...]

Make a Chickadee Nesting Box (Free Plans)

Published on May 13, 2020Last updated October 6, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Chickadee perched on a branch.

Build a chickadee nesting box with these free plans. The hinged roof makes cleanup easy, so you can reuse the box year after year. I also have plans for making a wren nesting box and bluebird … [Read more...]

Welcome Bees—But Don’t Forget These Other Pollinators

Published on May 12, 2020Last updated October 6, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Lizard in the garden.

In recent years we have seen a greater awareness of the importance of pollinators like birds, butterflies, and bees. But what about all the other pollinators that form our ecosystems? Find out what … [Read more...]

Pick the Perfect Bird Feeder for Your Backyard Guests

Published on May 2, 2020Last updated October 6, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Various birds and bird feeders.

Use these tips to choose the right bird feeders for the wild birds in your garden. The various options each have pros and cons and suit specific bird species. Ready to fill your feeders? See How … [Read more...]

New Bird Feeder? Use These Tips to Attract Birds

Published on May 1, 2020Last updated October 6, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Bird eating berry in the garden.

Along with a plant-filled organic garden with plenty of insects and nesting places, there are several other things you can do to attract birds to your garden and encourage them to settle in. See … [Read more...]

How to Make Hummingbird Food (Sugar Water Recipe)

Published on April 27, 2020Last updated October 6, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Hummingbird landing at sugar water feeder.

Love hummingbirds? This sugar water recipe has the correct ratio to match the nectar hummingbirds find in the wild. We've also simplified it so you can make any size batch from small to large to avoid … [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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