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

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When is a Fruit Not a Fruit? Feb 04, 2021

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Juniper berries, ginkgo fruit and others may look like fruit, but botanists say otherwise. So, if they aren't fruit, what are those fruit-like structures produced by non-flowering seed plants?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow a Peach (or Plum) Tree From the Pit

Get Ready to Start Seeds Indoors Jan 30, 2021

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We're heading into peak seed-starting season in this part of the world. If you haven't started seeds indoors before, this is a great year to start -- and now is the time to get ready.

MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside Grow Outside

Using Manure in the Garden Jan 27, 2021

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Manure from different animals is a popular addition to garden soil but you'll also hear a lot of warnings about its use. And what about using waste from your pets?

Do Plants Have Sexes? Jan 21, 2021

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Have you heard the one about how you can tell a female bell pepper from a male? Well, that one's just a myth -- fruit isn't male or female. But plants can be.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow An Apple Tree From Seed

Feeding Houseplants: Fertilizer Basics Jan 16, 2021

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It's very different from what we do with plants growing outdoors in the soil. With houseplants, it's all on us to make sure that the essential nutrients are available.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Asparagus (and Plant Crowns)

Mimicking Changing Seasons to Break Seed Dormancy Jan 11, 2021

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Stratification is a technique used to give dormant seeds the experience of changing seasons even when they've only gone from a drawer into our fridge.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Winter Sowing: Starting Seeds Outdoors in Milk Jugs

Breaking Seed Dormancy with Scarification Jan 07, 2021

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There are things we can do with dormant seeds to prod them along and get them to germinate. One of the most important for gardeners is scarification.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: What to Prune in Winter

How Seed Dormancy Helps Plants Survive Jan 02, 2021

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Seed dormancy can be frustrating for gardeners -- having seeds that won't germinate -- but it's an important part of the survival of many plant species.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Science-based Companion Planting Tips for Growing Vegetables

Creative Ways to Reuse a Christmas Tree Dec 28, 2020

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Most places now have recycling programs for Christmas trees -- or you can try one of the 25 creative projects from our list to put your tree to good use.

MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: 25 Creative Ways to Reuse Christmas Trees