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Fall & Winter

September Garden Checklist: Tasks & DIY Projects

Published on September 1, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Sunflowers growing in September garden

Fall marks the time in the garden for endings and new beginnings. September garden tasks include harvesting the summer crops, growing fall veggies, and, preparing the garden for winter. I also have … [Read more...]

Phenology: The Secret Calendar Every Gardener Uses (Without Realizing It)

Published on August 31, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Plants and animals that mark phenological events including a bluejay, frog, bee, butterfly, mosquito, and apple blossoms.

Discover how seasonal changes guide plant and wildlife behavior—and why gardeners rely on phenology, often without realizing it, to plan and grow their gardens. An example of how we garden … [Read more...]

7 Fall & Winter Garden Projects to Brighten the Cold Months

Published on August 19, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Collage of images from a winter garden including a garden art teacup and bird with snow.

Make the most of fall and winter with these outdoor garden projects for cold climates. Some have time crunches, while others add winter beauty or prep for a successful spring. If you need more fall … [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...]

2025 Fall Hummingbird Migration (Canada & United States)

Published on August 1, 2025Last updated September 1, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Fall hummingbird migration map for the United States and Canada.

The fall hummingbird migration south from parts of Canada and the United States begins as temperatures start to cool. When it starts depends on their summer location and how far they have to travel. … [Read more...]

How to Force Branches to Bloom Indoors Before Spring

Published on April 3, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Spring flowering shrub branch

This guide shows how to take budding branches from flowering trees and shrubs and coax them into blooming indoors—weeks ahead of schedule. You'll learn when to cut, how to care for the branches, and … [Read more...]

February Garden Checklist: Tasks & DIY Projects

Published on February 1, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Growing seedlings indoors under LED lights

There's a saying that February is both the shortest and longest month of the year. And for cold climate gardeners it means the growing season is still a few months away. These February tasks will … [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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