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Fall & Winter

When To Start Seeds Indoors (Easy Printable Sowing Plan)

Published on January 15, 2026 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Seedlings starting indoors.

This indoor seed starting plan is designed for cold climate gardeners in Canada and the U.S. Follow along to time your seeds just right for indoor sowing and outdoor planting. This is part of a … [Read more...]

January Garden Checklist: Tasks & DIY Projects

Published on January 3, 2026 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Snowy winter garden in January

January garden tasks for cold-climate gardeners include winter maintenance, early indoor seed starting, creative crafts and DIY projects, and planning for the upcoming growing season. This … [Read more...]

25 Creative Ways to Reuse Christmas Trees

Published on December 29, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Old Christmas tree ready for reuse.

If you want to upcycle or recycle your Christmas tree after the holidays, there are all sorts of crafts and decorations to make from the wood, branches, and twigs for your home and garden. For … [Read more...]

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...]

How to Un-Shrink a Wool Sweater (& Tell If It’s Possible)

Published on December 11, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Sweater shrunken in the dryer now ready to be returned to original size.

Shrunk your favorite wool sweater? These tips from fiber expert Kristi Porter may help you gently un-shrink and reshape it back to size. This post will show you how to assess the damage, and … [Read more...]

7 Winter-Busting Indoor Garden Projects to Lift Your Mood

Published on December 6, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Red Amaryllis bulbs in bloom.

These indoor garden projects bring a bit of growing season indoors and help bridge the gap until spring arrives. This is also a good time to prepare Christmas cactus and poinsettias for … [Read more...]

How to Make Sparkling Ice Suncatchers (Winter Garden Bling)

Published on December 4, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Ice suncatchers made from water and fruit.

Brighten winter days with these easy homemade ice suncatchers. Made in your freezer, they’re bird-friendly and bring a welcome pop of color to the garden. For more ideas also see Naturally Crafty: … [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).
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