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

Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Garden -- Our own "Wood-Wide Web"?

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 connection

What Is Phenology -- and Why It Matters

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,

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? NEW F

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? NEW FROM Empress of Dirt:

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? NEW FROM Empr

Overpotting: Should You Pot Up or Go Big?

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

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?

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? Som

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? NEW FROM Empress of

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? NEW FROM Emp

Vermicomposting -- It's Different From Regular Composting

An overview of vermicomposting -- worm composting. It provides very similar benefits to the garden as composting, but can be done indoors and stay active year-round, even

How Gardeners Came to Love Earthworms -- Soil's Tiny Engineers

Over the last 200 years, earthworms have gone from being despised by gardeners to being loved as signs of healthy soil. Many gardeners now even raise worms in their house

Are Today's Fruits and Vegetables Less Nutritious?

Are today's fruits and vegetables -- the ones you buy at the store -- less nutritious than they used to be? You hear that a lot, but you'll also hear that it's a myth. N

The Purple Tomato: The First GMO Garden Seed

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 genetic

Does Garden-Grown Produce Have A High Carbon Footprint?

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 D

Does Touching Soil Make Us Happier?

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 Dir

Do Gardeners Need Crop Rotation?

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 eas

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

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, o