How do plant roots work? What are the different kinds of roots -- and why are they important to plants?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Take Cuttings from Geraniums (Pelargoniums)

What's the best way to store your leftover seeds? Or is there a best way? Is the fridge better than a drawer? And what about a freezer?

POPULAR THIS WEEK from Empress of Dirt: 25 Annual and Perennial Flower Seeds to Sow in Fall (Printable List)

If you found thale cress in your garden, you'd probably pull it out. Even insects don't find it interesting. But much of what we know about flowering plants comes from this weed.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Make a Butterfly Water Feeder

There are different ways to make cuttings and different times of the year to make them, but they're all pretty easy to learn.

READ MORE from Empress of Dirt:

How to Grow Softwood Cuttings (7 Easy Steps)

40 Shrubs & Vines to Grow from Hardwood Cuttings

How to Root Pothos Cuttings

How to Grow Hydrangea from Cuttings

How to Grow Clematis from Cuttings

How to Grow African Violets from Leaf Cuttings

It's used in all sorts of things from pool filters to kitty litter -- and in gardening diatomaceous earth is touted as an effective organic pesticide.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Build a Simple Staircase Plant Stand

It's a very popular garden flower from the mint family that not only adds vibrant colour to your garden, but also attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

READ MORE at Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Bee Balm (Monarda) and Attract Pollinators

It's one of the most popular plants grown in gardens around the world -- and one of the biggest vegetable crops worldwide. But it wasn't always that way.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 12 Super Simple Garden Art Ideas

We'd all prefer a simple solution, but preventing blossom-end rot isn't as easy as adding calcium to your soil -- or even consistent watering.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 20 Ideas For Old Doors and Windows in the Garden

What can you do to avoid getting Japanese beetles in your garden -- or at least reduce the damage they do? And do traps do more harm than good?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Grow a Fall-Winter Vegetable Garden (and When to Start)

They only live about 10-15% of their lives above ground, but as both larvae and adults, Japanese beetles can do a lot of damage to your garden.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Softwood Cuttings (7 Easy Steps)