Two Minutes in the Garden

They're big and colourful -- powerful fliers that stand out in a crowd. And they eat mosquitoes. What can we do to attract dragonflies to our garden? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Rosemary From Cuttings (Indoors or Outdoors)

Keeping carbon out of the air and in our garden can help the environment, but can we keep carbon sequestered and have healthy soil at the same time? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow an Oak Tree From an Acorn (Step By Step)

Carbon sequestration is one way our plants help the environment -- by taking carbon out of the air and holding on to it or putting it in the soil. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Soil Calculator (Mulch, Compost, & Potting Mix Too)

They aren't the world's fastest-growing trees, but you can start with an acorn and -- with some patience -- end up with a tree that supports a diverse range of wildlife in your garden. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Mid-Summer Garden Tasks: What To Do Now

Oak trees not only look great, they support a diverse range of birds, insects and other wildlife, as well as microorganisms in the soil. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (& Creative Display Ideas)

Downy mildew can spoil the appearance of many plants, reduce yields of fruits and vegetables, and sometimes even kill plants. What can we do to avoid it? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Simple Seed Guide: From Hybrids to Heirlooms

Plants can detect changes in the length of the day as seasons change. Some will only flower -- or can't flower -- when daylight reaches a certain length. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Annuals & Perennials: What's The Difference?

There are lots of plants to choose from for almost any amount of sunlight outdoors, but you have to match the right plant with the right area in your garden. MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: 25 Vegetables You Can Grow in Shade

For decades, baits have been a popular way to deal with slugs, but there are concerns about their impact on wildlife and the environment. Do any of the suggested home remedy alternatives work? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Beginner Garden Tips That Avoid Bloopers (Great & Small)

Slugs can cause a lot of damage to plants like hostas and lettuce and many others. Is there anything we can do to stop them? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Scarify Seeds Before Sowing For Better Germination Rates

There's been an outbreak in avian flu this year in much of North America. Do our bird feeders increase the risk of spreading the disease? MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Best Birdseed

They're a common pest and one that's not easy to get rid of ... but there are things you can do to lower their numbers to a level plants can deal with. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: When Tomatoes Crack On The Vine (Now What?)

You'll find exuberant lists online with 10 or more uses for hydrogen peroxide in the garden -- is it something we should be using? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Spring Gardening: Is It Safe To Plant Outdoors Yet?

Physically and mentally, gardening has been shown to promote our health and well-being -- as exercise, an outlet for creativity and learning, relaxation, and more. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 45 Ridiculously Simple & Helpful Eco-Beneficial Garden Tips

They're two popular options as components of potting mix. What are they, what do they do, and what advantages do each provide? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Birdhouses Versus Nesting Boxes: What's Best For Birds

They're tiny but can cause big problems for your plants -- indoors and outdoors. How can you improve your odds of avoiding them, and what can you do once you have them? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Best (Cheap & Easy) DIY Tags For Indoor Seedlings & Plants

It has lots of fans for all sorts of uses in the garden. But do they have a scientific basis or are they just "it worked for me" stories? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Check If Seeds Are Viable (Home Germination Test)

Your tomatoes are coming along nicely and then -- out of nowhere -- they've got big cracks down the side. Now what do you do? And is there something you should have done to avoid it? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Deal With Fungus Gnats On Houseplants (What Works)

In compacted soil, it can be harder for roots to grow properly -- and that can reduce our plants' ability to access nutrients and water and create other problems. How can we prevent it from happening, or fix it if it does? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Why Vegetables Bolt & How To Prevent It

They're definitely annoying and possibly harmful to plants, although often not. What can you do to avoid fungus gnats? Or -- if that fails -- get rid of them? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Delicious Foods Hiding In Your Garden (Forage at Home)

You see lichens growing on trees, rocks, walls and lots of other places. Do they harm trees? And what do they contribute to the garden? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 50 Flowers For Hummingbirds & How To Keep Them Coming Back

You've got a bunch of seeds that should still be viable to some degree -- is there a quick way to find out? What's the best test? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Carrots Indoors At Home In Flower Pots

Not only are they easy to grow, but radishes are also one of the fastest growing vegetables and one of the first to plant in the spring. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Tips For Choosing a Garden Shed (To Avoid Regrets)

You pick up a tomato and see that something's not right. Cut it open and there are some creepy looking sprouts growing inside. What's that about and what do you do with the tomato? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 30 Flower Seeds To Start Indoors (Late Winter & Spring))

They're one of the most popular garden vegetables -- and easy to grow -- but there are some things to know about peas before choosing ones for your garden. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Two Neat Ways To Store Garden Seeds (& Keep Organized)