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

Seed catalogs have been part of the gardener's planning process for over a century. Read more at Empress of Dirt: The History of Seed & Nursery Catalogs for Gardeners

You could just put the tree out for recycling -- or try one of the creative projects we've listed. Read more at Empress of Dirt: 25 Creative Ways to Reuse Christmas Trees

Lots of water? YES! Bleach? NO! Antitranspirant sprays? Probably not.

Lots of gardeners swear by techniques they say work for them. How convinced should you be?

You can keep poinsettias through the year. And they aren't going to kill you or your pets. Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Poinsettias Indoors and Make Them Rebloom

Looking at Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti and how to encourage blooming. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Holiday Cactus Care and Blooming Tips

A new book -- Vertical Vegetables by Amy Andrychowicz -- will help you build your garden upward. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Life as a Gardener in Minneapolis | Get Busy Gardening

What are native plants and are they always better for our gardens?

Many resources have been devoted to removing nonnatives, but it's not as straightforward as it may seem.

Why does my compost pile smell so bad? It shouldn't -- and it can be fixed.

There'll be a lot of gifts being given over the next few weeks. If you're looking for ideas, we have some! Read more at Empress of Dirt: 20 Essential Gifts For Garden Nerds

Yes, you can keep composting over the winter, even if you live somewhere with freezing temperatures. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Easy Winter Composting in a Cold Climate

Three greens for one brown! Or is that three browns for one green? Two? Or is it 30 to 1?

One of the key ways we manage our compost pile is making sure we get a good mix of carbon and nitrogen. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Composting 101: Slow & Fast Methods

Nutrients for your plants and better soil structure for your garden, thanks mostly to bacteria. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Composting 101: Slow & Fast Methods

Even in colder climates, you can have fresh veggies from your garden in the winter. Read more at Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Vegetables Outdoors in The Winter

Honey and willow water are often suggested as rooting hormones. But do they work? And why would you try them?

Avocados are very popular, but the seeds usually get thrown out. Is eating them a good idea? Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Avocado Seeds Safe to Eat?

Banana peels are a good addition to compost, like many other kitchen scraps. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Banana Peels Good for the Garden?

There are better, safer alternatives to get any benefits baking soda may provide.

Coffee grounds can be used in the garden but may provide fewer benefits than you've heard. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Coffee Grounds Good for the Garden?

Dish soap is often recommended for use in the garden, but how safe is it? Read more at Empress of Dirt: Is Dish Soap Safe for the Garden?

Is salt environmentally safe and harmless in your garden? Read more at Empress of Dirt: Is Salt a Good Weed Killer? What to Know First

Is household vinegar really a harmless and effective herbicide? Read more at Empress of Dirt: Does Vinegar Really Kill Weeds?

Fall is a great time for planting trees, but when is it too cold and too late in the season? Read more at Empress of Dirt: When is it too Late to Plant Trees in Fall?