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

If not chosen carefully, plants for alternative lawns can end up being mushy or patchy and needing frequent reseeding. And you'll probably want a mix of several different kinds. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Replace Lawn With Wildflower Seed Mix

Some lawn alternatives can be pretty wild -- maybe too wild for your neighbours or your neighbourhood, but there are way to help manage that. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Replace Lawn With Wildflower Seed Mix

When we talk about alternative lawns, we could mean an alternative TO a lawn -- such as a meadow -- or an alternative FORM of something we'd still recognize as a lawn. You can take either path. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Replace Lawn With Wildflower Seed Mix BOOKS mentioned in this episode: Tapestry Lawns by Lionel Smith Lawns Into Meadows by Owen Wormser

We're less obsessed today with the traditional "perfect lawn" -- and the water and chemicals needed to achieve it. But lawns aren't going away -- and there's increased interest in alternative kinds of lawns. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Replace Lawn With Wildflower Seed Mix

We rely on adventitious roots for plant propagation -- as does the horticultural industry. Sometimes we force them and with some plants they happen naturally. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Complete Fall Gardening Checklist (Free Printable)

Flowers, leaves and stems need healthy roots to thrive. And how far from the trunk do a tree's roots extend? POPULAR THIS WEEK at Empress of Dirt: 4 Easy Ways to Overwinter Geraniums (Pelargoniums)

How do plant roots work? What are the different kinds of roots -- and why are they important to plants? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Take Cuttings from Geraniums (Pelargoniums)

What's the best way to store your leftover seeds? Or is there a best way? Is the fridge better than a drawer? And what about a freezer? POPULAR THIS WEEK from Empress of Dirt: 25 Annual and Perennial Flower Seeds to Sow in Fall (Printable List)

If you found thale cress in your garden, you'd probably pull it out. Even insects don't find it interesting. But much of what we know about flowering plants comes from this weed. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Butterfly Water Feeder

There are different ways to make cuttings and different times of the year to make them, but they're all pretty easy to learn. READ MORE from Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Softwood Cuttings (7 Easy Steps) 40 Shrubs & Vines to Grow from Hardwood Cuttings How to Root Pothos Cuttings How to Grow Hydrangea from Cuttings How to Grow Clematis from Cuttings How to Grow African Violets from Leaf Cuttings

It's used in all sorts of things from pool filters to kitty litter -- and in gardening diatomaceous earth is touted as an effective organic pesticide. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Build a Simple Staircase Plant Stand

It's a very popular garden flower from the mint family that not only adds vibrant colour to your garden, but also attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Bee Balm (Monarda) and Attract Pollinators

It's one of the most popular plants grown in gardens around the world -- and one of the biggest vegetable crops worldwide. But it wasn't always that way. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 12 Super Simple Garden Art Ideas

We'd all prefer a simple solution, but preventing blossom-end rot isn't as easy as adding calcium to your soil -- or even consistent watering. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Ideas For Old Doors and Windows in the Garden

What can you do to avoid getting Japanese beetles in your garden -- or at least reduce the damage they do? And do traps do more harm than good? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Grow a Fall-Winter Vegetable Garden (and When to Start)

They only live about 10-15% of their lives above ground, but as both larvae and adults, Japanese beetles can do a lot of damage to your garden. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Softwood Cuttings (7 Easy Steps)

As much as we love them, most of us would have a hard time reliably picking bees out of a lineup. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Will Pine Needles Make My Garden Soil pH Too Acidic?

Gardeners love bees and what they do for our gardens. But some bees get a lot more attention than others. And that may not be good for bees in general. ALSO FROM Empress of Dirt: Popular Garden Myths We've All Fallen For

Fungicides and other sprays. And can you really identify diseases from symptoms? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make Decorative Garden Art Balls (Expert Tips)

We're never going to stop them entirely, but what can we do to reduce our risk of losing plants to disease? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Fence Taller for Better Privacy

One of the big challenges with plant diseases is that the symptoms plants display can be the same for a variety of diseases. And there are thousands and thousands of plant diseases. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 37 Favorite Garden Quotes, Memes, and Quirky Expressions

Plant diseases take away from our enjoyment of gardening and undo our hard work. Before we can figure out how to avoid them, we need to understand what diseases are. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Bee Balm (Monarda) and Attract Pollinators

It's been a garden favorite for hundreds of years. And with about 40 species and hundreds of varieties, you can likely find one perfect for your garden. READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Lavender Growing Tips and Easy Mistakes to Avoid

Gardeners spend a lot of time under the hot sun -- and UV rays are the main cause of skin cancer, sunburn and aging skin. What's the best way to stay safe? POPULAR THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: How to Start a Pond in Your Backyard

Science supports many of the principles of companion planting, but the specific companion plant recommendations you see everywhere are a different story. NEW THIS WEEK on Empress of Dirt: Types of Clematis and How to Identify Yours