Two Minutes in the Garden
By Empress of Dirt
Bite-sized informative updates on gardening basics, solutions, myths, news and other subjects of interest to gardeners both new and experienced. From the popular Empress of Dirt website (empressofdirt.net), home of creative and frugal ideas for your backyard garden.
Latest episode
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Attracting Fireflies to Your Garden: What They Need
Fireflies are a summertime icon for many people, especially in North America. What are they and what can we do to attract fireflies and support them in our garden? -
Are Synthetic Fertilizers From Fossil Fuels? Do We Need Them?
Half the world now depends on synthetic fertilizers for food. But do we need them in the garden? And are they really derived from fossil fuels? -
Peat in Gardening: What's the Problem?
Peat has been a gardening staple for decades -- but at what cost? With growing concerns over climate and ecosystems, is it time we rethink our use of peat? -
Overpotting: Should You Pot Up or Go Big?
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Noticing Nature: From Gardener to Naturalist
You may already be a wildlife gardener, but might you be interested in taking the next step in developing your curiosity about garden wildlife and becoming a naturalist? Inspired by Menno Schilthuizen's new book, The Urban Naturalist. -
Do Gravel Layers in Pots Improve Drainage?
It's been a hotly debated issue for years: does it improve drainage in your containers if you first add a layer of gravel or some other course material to the bottom? Some new research puts it to the test. -
Can Weeds Reveal Soil Secrets?
Are the weeds in our garden trying to tell us something about our soil? Is it reliable? And should we be taking action based on what they're saying? -
Should You Water Plants with Ice Cubes?
It's been a controversial suggestion for orchids for many years. It also gets recommended for houseplants in general. But is watering plants with ice cubes a good idea? -
Are High Brix Levels the Key to Pest-Free Plants?
Is it true that pests won't attack healthy plants? Can you really determine the health of your plant through one simple measurement? And where did these ideas come from? -
Ants in the Garden: Harmful or Beneficial?
We don't want them in the house, but can we trust ants around our plants? Do we need to step in and do something, or might they be beneficial in the garden?
