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

Latest Episodes:

Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Garden -- Our own "Wood-Wide Web"? Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

We can't see them, but mycorrhizal fungi are growing in or on the roots of most of the plants in our garden, helping them get nutrients -- and likely providing connections between our plants.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 5 Common Houseplant Myths That Seem True -- But Aren't

What Is Phenology -- and Why It Matters Aug 04, 2025

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Phenology is the seasonal timing of events in plants and animals -- when things bloom, leaf out, set seed, fruit, and so on. We can't make plans in the garden without it, and it's steadily changing with warmer temperatures.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: August Garden Checklist: Tasks & DIY Projects

Attracting Fireflies to Your Garden: What They Need Jul 04, 2025

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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?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: July Garden Checklist: Tasks & DIY Projects

Are Synthetic Fertilizers From Fossil Fuels? Do We Need Them? Jun 24, 2025

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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?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Root Pothos Cuttings

Peat in Gardening: What's the Problem? Jun 05, 2025

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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?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Why Hummingbirds Are Avoiding Your Feeders

Overpotting: Should You Pot Up or Go Big? May 01, 2025

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Is overpotting just an old gardening myth we're still clinging to? Is potting up no longer needed? Some research suggests bigger pots might be better -- but it's not that simple.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Why Your Compost Pile Stinks and How to Fix It

Noticing Nature: From Gardener to Naturalist Apr 20, 2025

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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.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Tips for Creating a Wildlife Pond and Garden

Do Gravel Layers in Pots Improve Drainage? Mar 17, 2025

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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.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Surprisingly Simple Garden Tips You Might Be Overlooking

Can Weeds Reveal Soil Secrets? Dec 09, 2024

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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?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Control Weeds Without Herbicides

Should You Water Plants with Ice Cubes? Nov 11, 2024

Show notes

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?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Propagate Orchids at Home