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Garden Fundamentals

What to Know Before Adding Coffee Grounds to Your Garden

Published on February 28, 2024 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Tomatoes and a cup of coffee.

While coffee grounds are a source of plant nutrients, they can cause problems. The best practice is to compost them first before using them as a soil amendment. If you want to improve your soil, … [Read more...]

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 Grow Peas: Tips For Beginner Vegetable Gardeners

Published on February 15, 2024 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Pea seeds on a table and green peas growing in a garden.

Use these tips to start growing peas in your home vegetable garden. Whether its sugar, snap, or shelling peas, there are lots of options from spring to fall. While growing peas outdoors is most … [Read more...]

Wilting Seedlings? It Could Be Damping-Off Disease

Published on January 31, 2024 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Seedlings prone to damping off disease.

If your indoor seedlings are wilting, bent, swollen, or turning brown, it may be damping-off disease. Learn about the causes, identification, and how to prevent it in the future. For more tips also … [Read more...]

Growing Softwood Cuttings: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

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

Diagram showing how to take softwood cuttings and plant them in potting mix.

Use softwood cuttings to propagate new plants from favorite annuals and perennials. Includes recommended plants and detailed step-by-step instructions. In late fall and winter, you can root older … [Read more...]

How To Compost In The Winter (Easy Method)

Published on November 4, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Putting out compost in the winter garden.

We know composting is good for the garden and the environment but did you know you can save food scraps for composting all year-round—even in a cold climate? Use these tips for composting in winter so … [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.

Want to know if seeds will germinate without going to the trouble of sowing them? This easy paper towel test shows which seeds will sprout and along with the expected germination rates. For seed … [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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