Welcome! I'm Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada). I've got creative and frugal ideas for your home and garden. New to this site? Start here.
Yes, you can grow vegetables indoors. I have grown a variety of vegetables and herbs including lettuces, arugula, spinach, kale, carrots, radishes, beet greens, tomatoes and more. Best of all, I grow ... [Read More...]
Learn two smart ways to sow seeds outdoors over winter for spring seedlings. These methods improve germination rates and work nicely for a variety of seed types. ... [Read More...]
There are several ways to overwinter geraniums (Pelargoniums) from your garden. Use paper bags, boxes, or a sunny windowsill to keep them alive until spring. ... [Read More...]
Get your garden winter-ready with this fall cleanup checklist. Discover priority tasks for tidying, winterizing, storing gear, and spring planting. If you want to continue gardening, also consider … [Read more...]
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...]
Discover when hummingbirds begin their solo fall migration from Canada and the US, and what to expect as these tiny birds head south to their wintering grounds. Want to follow the journey north? … [Read more...]
August is our time to savor summer—harvesting, crafting, and soaking it in—while also preparing the garden for fall vegetables and planting for the year ahead. If you'd like an overview by season, … [Read more...]
Pinching young zinnias encourages more stems, buds, and blooms for fuller plants. Learn when to do it and why this simple step makes a big difference. For more, also see 7 Best Tips For Growing … [Read more...]
With early summer behind us, midsummer is ideal for garden upkeep and fall prep. Priorities include watering, seed sowing, taking cuttings, composting, and pest control. We also have this … [Read more...]
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...]
