Two Minutes in the Garden: Gardening Tips, Science, Myths

Freezing temperatures are on the way -- what can you do to keep your pond fish alive and well through the winter? READ THE LATEST at Empress of Dirt: Beginner Watercolor Painting with Painterly Days

In some areas, it's not rare to see blue jays appearing to eating paint. There's a good explanation. SIGN UP for our fall email series at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

Some years, the colors are more vibrant than others. Same trees, same place and time. Why so much variation? SIGN UP for our fall email series at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

For a long time we had a good explanation for why leaves change colour. Now we're a little less certain. SIGN UP for our fall email series at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

Dehydration is a great way to have the fruit your harvested available to eat all through the winter. SIGN UP for our fall email series at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

For most of us in the U.S. and Canada, they've left our gardens and are heading toward Mexico and Central America. READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 2019 Fall Hummingbird Migration

Fall and winter provide the best opportunities to handfeed birds. How can you improve your chances of success? READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Hand-Feed Wild Birds

What are the benefits of cover crops -- and are they right for you?

What are cover crops -- and how can you use them in your garden?

What is winter squash and how can you tell when it's ready to be harvested? Sign up for our free series of fall gardening ideas at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

There's lots of advice out there about when to harvest your watermelons. What's practical for a home gardener? Sign up for our free series of fall gardening ideas at Empress of Dirt: Get Your Fall Garden Ideas and Turn Over a New Leaf

You hear lots of experts recommending balanced fertilizer -- but how do they know what your soil needs?

A mulch that might last for decades! But it has drawbacks and there's still a lot we don't know.

Cooler temperatures are coming. Can you pick your tomatoes from the vine and have them ripen indoors? READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: 25 Fruits That Ripen After Picking (and Those That Don't)

The use of peat in gardening has become a hot button issue. What damage does it do to the environment?

Contaminants get into water as it runs down your roof. Is it still okay to use in the garden?

Gardeners bring a lot of plastic home from the store and much of it doesn't get used for very long.

Part one of an occasional series of episodes on the basics of plant propagation. What is propagation? READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Kitchen Propagation Handbook | 7 Fruits & Veggies to Regrow

The underlying science is complex, but you can quickly and easily get started creating your own houseplants. READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Kitchen Propagation Handbook | 7 Fruits & Veggies to Regrow

Vermicomposting isn't difficult -- lots of people are doing it. But there are things to watch out for. READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Worm Tower | In-Ground Composter

Some worms are much better than others for vermicomposting. But there are tradeoffs. READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Worm Tower | In-Ground Composter

A first look at worm composting. What it is and why it's good for your garden and the environment. READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Worm Tower | In-Ground Composter

Frost is a threat to plants. One of their responses is to free sugar stored as starch.

Gardeners spend a lot of time under the hot sun. What's the best way to stay safe?

U.S. regulators want more information about the safety of sunscreen ingredients. Is is still safe to use sunscreen?