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Spring

Year-At-a-Glance Garden Checklist (What To Get Done Each Season)

Published on January 28, 2026 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Garden filled with plants, trees, vines, and shrubs.

Follow along with this helpful garden job list to know what to get done month by month through each season. Includes tasks, tips, and tutorials for cold climate gardeners in the United States and … [Read more...]

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...]

2026 Hummingbird Migration Map (Find Out When to Expect Them)

Published on January 7, 2026 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Spring hummingbird migration map for the United States and Canada.

Spring is migration time for hummingbirds travelling from their winter homes to breeding habitats in the United States and Canada. Use this tracking map to know when to expect them in your … [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...]

May Garden Checklist: Tasks & DIY Projects

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

Bees hovering over purple allium flowers in May garden

For some cold-climate gardeners, May marks the month of the last frosts for the winter and the warming of the garden soil. It’s the time to start growing and getting creative. If you're just … [Read more...]

Where Native Bees Spend the Winter (& How Gardeners Can Help)

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

Spring garden plants with a native sweat bee.

Ever wonder where bees disappear to in winter—and how they reappear like magic in spring? This gardener’s guide to native bees reveals where they really nest (hint: not in hives) and how you can help … [Read more...]

Why No Mow May Doesn’t Cut It—And What You Can Do Instead

Published on April 5, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Backyard garden in May with bee and dandelions.

It's a catchy idea that's attracted a lot of gardeners, but No Mow May isn't the best way to help pollinators. Find out what gardeners can do instead to support bees and the ecosystem all … [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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