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

The Purple Tomato: The First GMO Garden Seed

March 03, 2024 20:50 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MB

We always used to be able to say that there were no GMO garden seeds. That's still true in most of the world but, in the U.S., gardeners can now buy seeds for the genetically engineered, high-antioxidant Purple Tomato. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: What to Know Before Reusing Old Potting Mix

Does Garden-Grown Produce Have A High Carbon Footprint?

February 11, 2024 18:45 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MB

A recent study claimed that urban-grown fruits and vegetables had a carbon footprint six times that of those from conventional farms. Rants ensued. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Monarch Butterflies: How Gardeners Can Truly Help

Does Touching Soil Make Us Happier?

January 22, 2024 21:12 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MB

For the last 15 years, gardeners have been told that soil acts like an antidepressant, thanks to a particular bacterium. Is there anything to it? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Winter Sowing: Two Reliable Methods for Outdoor Seed Starting

Do Gardeners Need Crop Rotation?

November 24, 2023 18:05 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

It can do great things on farms, but does crop rotation make sense in a garden? What are the benefits claimed for crop rotation, and can we get those same benefits in easier ways? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Compost In The Winter (Easy Method)

Plant Nutrients (Part 4): "Up, Down, All Around" and the Phosphorus Myth

October 28, 2023 17:30 - 10 minutes - 9.57 MB

Do nutrients really specialize in one aspect of plant growth, like roots or shoots? Why adding more of one nutrient to your soil, like a phosphorus-heavy bloom booster, often doesn't provide any benefit. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Growing Poinsettias: Year-Round Care & Reblooming Guide

Plant Nutrients (Part 3): The Trouble with Balanced Fertilizers

October 13, 2023 17:00 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MB

Are you using a balanced fertilizer in your garden? It may seem like a simple and effective way to provide nutrients to your plants, but it could also cause problems for your soil and for the environment. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Indoor Seed Starting: Best DIY Setup on a Budget

Plant Nutrients (Part 2): What Do NPK Labels Mean?

September 28, 2023 20:05 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

Most countries use a confusing and outdated NPK labelling system for fertilizer packages. What do the numbers mean? Depending on where you live, it's probably not what you think. And why is a "balanced fertilizer" not so balanced after all? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: When to Take Down Hummingbird Feeders in Fall

Plant Nutrients (Part 1): What You Need to Know

September 18, 2023 19:35 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MB

Our plants can't live without them, but how do we know that they're getting them? Do we need to feed them to our plants? And what are these essential nutrients? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make African Violets Bloom & Rebloom

Mushrooms: Friends or Foes in the Garden?

August 16, 2023 19:30 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MB

Not everyone wants them in their garden, but others grow them deliberately. They aren't even plants. So what are mushrooms and are they okay around our plants? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 2023 Fall Hummingbird Migration (Canada & United States)

Is Soap Safe to Use in the Garden?

August 01, 2023 17:30 - 11 minutes - 11 MB

What kinds of soap should we be using -- or avoiding -- in the garden? What about liquid dish soap? And we're all familiar with soap, but what is it, exactly? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 25 Vegetables You Can Grow in Shade

Composting (Part 4): How Much Compost is Too Much?

July 06, 2023 19:55 - 10 minutes - 9.84 MB

Compost is great for your garden, but can you have too much of a good thing? What problems could there be if you use too much? Will it harm your plants ... or something else? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Bring Plants Inside: Timing & Debugging Tips

Composting (Part 3): What to Add and What to Avoid

June 24, 2023 17:05 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MB

What can you add to your compost pile? Is it any organic material, or are there some things you may want to avoid? What about dryer lint or hair? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Hostas for Sun: Sun-Tolerant Options For Your Garden

Composting (Part 2): Simpler Than it Sounds

June 10, 2023 16:45 - 10 minutes - 9.48 MB

Calculating C:N ratios? Regular turning? For anyone who's been put off from composting because it sounds too involved -- it really isn't as hard as it's sometimes made out to be. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Breaking the Eggshell Myth in Gardening

Compost: The Most Valuable Organic Matter for Your Soil

June 02, 2023 17:15 - 10 minutes - 9.38 MB

When it comes to building healthy soil, there may be no more important tool in the garden than compost. So what is compost, and how does it help our plants? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Propagate Sweet Potatoes to Grow New Slips

Humus: What Is It and Why It Matters

May 16, 2023 17:15 - 9 minutes - 8.93 MB

We've heard that humus is good for our garden, but do we know what it actually is? And, for that matter, does ANYONE know what it actually is? And why has humus become a controversial topic? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Why Frogs & Toads Are Good For Our Gardens

Plants in Water: A Balancing Act

May 06, 2023 16:00 - 9 minutes - 9.09 MB

We're told not to overwater our plants, but some popular houseplants grow fine with their roots fully immersed in water and nearly all outdoor plants experience overwatering at times. How does that work? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Tips for Choosing the Right Clematis Trellis

No Mow May: Does It Really Help Pollinators?

April 15, 2023 19:30 - 10 minutes - 9.32 MB

No Mow May is a popular initiative that encourages people to stop mowing their lawns for a month to help bees and other pollinators. But does it really work? And what are the drawbacks? In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of No Mow May from a gardener's perspective. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: The Surprising Benefits of Moths in Your Garden

How Frogs Benefit Your Garden -- And How to Attract Them

April 01, 2023 15:50 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MB

Frogs enrich your garden in many ways: they control pests, provide food for other wildlife, and indicate a healthy environment. In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of frogs and their role in the garden ecosystem. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Get Rid of Weeds: Easy Tips For Organic Gardeners

Fast-Growing Cool-Weather Crops for Spring

March 21, 2023 17:05 - 9 minutes - 8.7 MB

At the beginning of a new gardening season, temperatures are still low, but some vegetables thrive in cool weather and can be ready to eat in just a few weeks. Choose these vegetables and before you know it, you'll eating your first batch of produce fresh from your garden. MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Fast-Growing Vegetables in 4-6 Weeks (Spring or Fall)

Helping Ground-Nesting Bees: The Unsung Garden Heroes

March 15, 2023 21:25 - 10 minutes - 9.91 MB

Most bees don't live in hives and most don't live in hollow stems. They live in the ground and emerge from the soil in the spring and summer to join us in the garden. What can we do to make their winters easier? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Tea Time: How to Harvest & Dry Homegrown Herbs

Protect Your Garden From Deer Damage

March 03, 2023 17:45 - 10 minutes - 9.54 MB

Deer can cause a lot of damage to your garden, but there are ways to prevent or reduce it. Learn about different types of fences, repellents, deterrents and deer-resistant plants that can help you protect your plants from these hungry animals. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: The Complete Guide to Growing Delphiniums in Your Garden

Baking Soda in the Garden: Is it Really Harmless?

February 23, 2023 17:30 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MB

Also known in many parts of the world as bicarbonate of soda or bicarb soda -- you see it recommended for dozens of uses in the garden. It sounds pretty harmless, but should we be using it around our plants? READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: Baking Soda in the Garden: Is it Really Harmless?

Starting Seeds: An Overview

February 09, 2023 17:35 - 8 minutes - 8.13 MB

What's the advantage of starting seeds -- especially indoors? What do you need? What do seeds need to germinate? And how can you improve your odds against diseases? READ THE FULL GUIDE at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside Grow Outside

Growing Carrots in Your Garden

January 24, 2023 17:30 - 9 minutes - 8.5 MB

Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in the garden, and you can get them in a range of sizes and a rainbow of colors. ALSO FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Carrots Indoors At Home In Flower Pots AND: How To Grow Fairy Carrots In Jars

Whacking Tree Trunks and Other Strange Garden Tips

January 02, 2023 17:17 - 8 minutes - 8.04 MB

Does hitting the trunk of a tree with a baseball bat or or a stick make it produce more leaves -- or maybe more flowers or fruit? It sounds crazy, but is there anything to it? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Houseplants & Humidity: Tips That Help (& Those That Do Not)

Do Comfrey and Other Plants Grab Nutrients Deep in Our Soil?

December 17, 2022 17:26 - 10 minutes - 9.4 MB

In permaculture circles, they're called dynamic accumulators -- plants that accumulate above average levels of particular nutrients in their leaves, which we can then add to compost piles, use as mulch or in other ways make the nutrients available to our plants. Do they work? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Leafy Greens Indoors at Home (Simple & Fast Method)

Humidity and Houseplants - Increasing Humidity Indoors

November 30, 2022 17:00 - 9 minutes - 8.68 MB

Humidity doesn't get as much attention as temperature, light and soil moisture, but it can have a big effect on our plants. Many houseplants prefer more humidity than we give them, especially over the winter. What can we do about that? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Homemade Peanut Butter Suet for Birds (Easy Recipe)

Growing and Propagating Aloe vera

November 11, 2022 16:50 - 8 minutes - 7.59 MB

It's one of the world's most popular houseplants. Easy to grow and easy to propagate -- and maybe even a handy source of some skincare gel.

Why Leaves Change Color (and Why Some Don't Fall)

October 31, 2022 16:35 - 7 minutes - 7.2 MB

What makes the leaves of some trees change color? Is there a benefit to the trees? And what about deciduous trees that keep leaves over the winter? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Propagate African Violets (Step-By-Step Tutorial)

Is it Safe to Use Paper in the Garden?

October 17, 2022 00:00 - 9 minutes - 9.15 MB

Many gardeners put paper overtop of a lawn to create a new garden bed. Or add paper to their compost pile. Is it safe? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Bring Plants Indoors For The Winter (Best Timing & Bug-Free Tips)

Horticultural Oil: How Does it Work? Is it Safe?

October 05, 2022 00:00 - 9 minutes - 8.5 MB

You hear it suggested a lot in gardening circles as a pesticide and maybe even to prevent diseases, but what is horticultural oil and how does it work? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Creative No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas (Quick & Fun)

Why You Can't Have True Blue Roses (and Many Other Popular Flowers)

September 26, 2022 00:00 - 9 minutes - 9.08 MB

Blue flowers do exist in nature, but not in many of our most popular flowers. And it's even been a struggle for scientists to create them. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Great Fall Weather? Get These Garden Jobs Done

Using Human Urine in the Garden -- Benefits and Risks

September 17, 2022 00:00 - 8 minutes - 8.02 MB

It's not for everyone, but human urine in the garden has lots of enthusiasts. Urine contains lots of nitrogen and several other essential nutrients, but it also has some things that aren't so good for plants. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Welcome Dragonflies To Your Garden

Monarch Butterflies and the Garden (Part 2): Milkweed

September 05, 2022 00:00 - 9 minutes - 8.66 MB

We've all heard that we should be planting more milkweed to help a declining number of monarchs, but some reports say they're actually doing fine without our help. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Keep Houseplants Watered While On Vacation

Monarch Butterflies and the Garden (Part 1): Migration

August 30, 2022 00:00 - 9 minutes - 8.98 MB

They've become poster children for the global decline in insect numbers and they face significant threats. How might we be able to help monarchs in our garden? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Easy Houseplant Tagging System To Simplify Plant Care

Attracting Dragonflies to Your Garden

August 21, 2022 00:00 - 9 minutes - 8.49 MB

They're big and colorful -- powerful fliers that stand out in a crowd. And they eat mosquitoes. What can we do to attract dragonflies to our garden? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Rosemary From Cuttings (Indoors or Outdoors)

Can We Sequester More Carbon in Our Garden -- and Should We?

August 13, 2022 00:00 - 10 minutes - 9.28 MB

Keeping carbon out of the air and in our garden can help the environment, but can we keep carbon sequestered and have healthy soil at the same time? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow an Oak Tree From an Acorn (Step By Step)

How Plants Capture Carbon and Help the Environment

August 03, 2022 23:00 - 9 minutes - 9.14 MB

Carbon sequestration is one way our plants help the environment -- by taking carbon out of the air and holding on to it or putting it in the soil. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Soil Calculator (Mulch, Compost, & Potting Mix Too)

Growing Oak Trees from Acorns

July 25, 2022 01:16 - 8 minutes - 7.9 MB

They aren't the world's fastest-growing trees, but you can start with an acorn and -- with some patience -- end up with a tree that supports a diverse range of wildlife in your garden. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Mid-Summer Garden Tasks: What To Do Now

How Oaks Benefit the Garden Ecosystem

July 16, 2022 17:32 - 9 minutes - 8.55 MB

Oak trees not only look great, they support a diverse range of birds, insects and other wildlife, as well as microorganisms in the soil. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (& Creative Display Ideas)

Preventing Downy Mildew

July 01, 2022 00:00 - 8 minutes - 8.04 MB

Downy mildew can spoil the appearance of many plants, reduce yields of fruits and vegetables, and sometimes even kill plants. What can we do to avoid it? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Simple Seed Guide: From Hybrids to Heirlooms

Long-Day vs Short-Day vs Day-Neutral Plants

June 22, 2022 00:00 - 8 minutes - 8.07 MB

Plants can detect changes in the length of the day as seasons change. Some will only flower -- or can't flower -- when daylight reaches a certain length. NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Annuals & Perennials: What's The Difference?

What is Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade?

June 09, 2022 00:00 - 9 minutes - 9.19 MB

There are lots of plants to choose from for almost any amount of sunlight outdoors, but you have to match the right plant with the right area in your garden. MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: 25 Vegetables You Can Grow in Shade

Are Slugs Repelled by Beer? Copper? Eggshells?

May 24, 2022 17:20 - 9 minutes - 8.74 MB

For decades, baits have been a popular way to deal with slugs, but there are concerns about their impact on wildlife and the environment. Do any of the suggested home remedy alternatives work? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Beginner Garden Tips That Avoid Bloopers (Great & Small)

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

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