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Spring

25 Vegetables You Can Grow in Shade

Published on July 11, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Vegetables growing in part shade.

Forget the old-fashioned advice that you need full sun to grow a vegetable garden. There are lots of crops like broccoli, beans, and spinach that can grow just fine with part-sun or shade during the … [Read more...]

How to Know Which Vegetable & Fruit Crops Need Pollinators

Published on June 29, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Crops that do and do not require pollinators to produce fruit.

How can you tell which garden vegetables or fruits require pollination to produce crops? Use these tips to know which crops require exposure to pollinators like bees or birds and those that can … [Read more...]

Hostas for Sun: Sun-Tolerant Options For Your Garden

Published on June 20, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Hostas in a sunny garden.

Can hostas grow in the sun? Yes, while we think of hostas as shade plants, there are dozens of varieties that thrive in full-sun conditions so long as the roots receive consistent moisture and never … [Read more...]

How to Make a Clay Pot Lighthouse

Published on June 5, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Garden art lighthouses made from clay pots.

These clay pot lighthouses are an easy craft project to make with kids and can be completed in an afternoon. A solar lamp on top makes them glow at night—it’s very pretty! If you would like more … [Read more...]

DIY Hanging Flower Planter Using Shoe Bags

Published on June 5, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Shoebag planter over top of mini greenhouse.

Want a mini flower garden in an unusual location? This DIY planter is made from a hanging shoe organizer. It's a smart way to add a splash of living color to patio walls, a doghouse, or the top of a … [Read more...]

How to Propagate Sweet Potatoes to Grow New Slips

Published on May 22, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Two methods for propagating sweet potato slips.

Use these step-by-step instructions to propagate a sweet potato in water or potting mix. This produces "slips" (stems and leaves) providing new plants for the garden. The vines also make interesting … [Read more...]

How to Change Hydrangea Flowers From Pink to Blue (or Vice Versa)

Published on May 16, 2023 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Pink and blue hydrangea flowers.

Not all hydrangea flowers can change color, but, if you start with the right variety and expose it to the right conditions, it is possible to change some flower colors from pink to blue or blue to … [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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