The end of the warm season shouldn't stop you from keeping compost. You can save those fruit and vegetable scraps for your garden all winter long. It's easy in a cold climate.| Empress of Dirt
Need a rat-proof compost bin or a way to keep rodents including mice out? This tumbler compost bin keeps your food scraps away from pests and makes good compost for the garden.| Empress of Dirt
Leave the leaves! There are so many beneficial uses including mulching garden beds, insulating plants from damaging winter conditions, creating nutritious compost, and providing essential food and habitat for living things.| Empress of Dirt
The cardboard method makes it easy to turn lawn into garden beds. It smothers grass as it breaks down, with most beds ready to plant in 4 to 6 months.| Empress of Dirt
Use this simple test to determine how much sand, silt, and clay are in your garden soil. We tend to ignore it as new gardeners but soil is the key to healthy, happy plants.| Empress of Dirt
Is wood ash good for the garden? For centuries, people tossed fireplace ashes in their yards, but its impact on plants and soil depends on various factors.| Empress of Dirt
If you want to understand what your garden needs, a soil test can measure soil health and nutrients to identify any deficiencies. We tried a popular do-it-yourself home test with a lab test to see how they compare.| Empress of Dirt
Many of us identify as organic gardeners and say we garden organically, but what does this mean? It may not be easy to define the term but having a basic organic ethos or personal philosophy about gardening can help steer every garden decision we make.| Empress of Dirt
Is compost tea good for plants? Should I make it for my garden? Let’s look at what is known about compost tea and what—if any—value it has for improving soil and feeding plants.| Empress of Dirt
A smelly compost pile is a sign something's wrong. Learn why compost can smells like rotten eggs or ammonia and how to fix it with these simple steps.| Empress of Dirt
Use this handy soil calculator to calculate the total size (volume) of your garden bed, raised bed, flower pot, container, or window box to know how much soil, mulch, compost, or potting mix you need and the estimated cost to fill it.| Empress of Dirt
Many garden plants prefer "well-draining" soil—but what is it and how do you know if you have it? Use our simple test to assess your garden's drainage conditions and why it matters.| Empress of Dirt
What is the best way to fill a tall raised bed or large planter without spending a lot of money? The secret is to put your best soil where you need it and fill the rest of the container with other harmless materials. There are plenty of natural, organic, and synthetic options.| Empress of Dirt
No matter what, you win. By keeping kitchen scraps and turning them into compost, we divert food waste from landfills and offer essential nutrients to our garden plants. Learn how to make compost quickly, plus the slower way for those who do not have the time.| Empress of Dirt
Wondering which fertilizer to use in your garden? This guide explains the differences between organic and synthetic fertilizers and how to choose the best option for your garden's long-term health.| Empress of Dirt