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

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

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)

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

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

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?

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

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

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)

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)