There's been an outbreak in avian flu this year in much of North America. Do our bird feeders increase the risk of spreading the disease?

MORE FROM Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Best Birdseed

They're a common pest and one that's not easy to get rid of ... but there are things you can do to lower their numbers to a level plants can deal with.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: When Tomatoes Crack On The Vine (Now What?)

You'll find exuberant lists online with 10 or more uses for hydrogen peroxide in the garden -- is it something we should be using?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Spring Gardening: Is It Safe To Plant Outdoors Yet?

Physically and mentally, gardening has been shown to promote our health and well-being -- as exercise, an outlet for creativity and learning, relaxation, and more.

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 45 Ridiculously Simple & Helpful Eco-Beneficial Garden Tips

They're two popular options as components of potting mix. What are they, what do they do, and what advantages do each provide?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Birdhouses Versus Nesting Boxes: What's Best For Birds

They're tiny but can cause big problems for your plants -- indoors and outdoors. How can you improve your odds of avoiding them, and what can you do once you have them?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Best (Cheap & Easy) DIY Tags For Indoor Seedlings & Plants

It has lots of fans for all sorts of uses in the garden. But do they have a scientific basis or are they just "it worked for me" stories?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Check If Seeds Are Viable (Home Germination Test)

Your tomatoes are coming along nicely and then -- out of nowhere -- they've got big cracks down the side. Now what do you do? And is there something you should have done to avoid it?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: How To Deal With Fungus Gnats On Houseplants (What Works)

In compacted soil it can be harder for roots to grow properly -- and that can reduce our plants' ability to access nutrients and water and create other problems. How can we prevent it from happening, or fix it if it does?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: Why Vegetables Bolt & How To Prevent It

They're definitely annoying and possibly harmful to plants, although often not. What can you do to avoid fungus gnats? Or -- if that fails -- get rid of them?

NEW FROM Empress of Dirt: 10 Delicious Foods Hiding In Your Garden (Forage at Home)