CatBibs, bells, and other ways to reduce the number of birds killed by pet cats.

Cats kill millions of birds every year. Should we let them in our gardens and yards?

We may not like it, but frost definitely plays an influential role in gardening.

It's printed on seed packets and sounds clear, but at best it's only a rough guide. Read our detailed guide to starting seeds at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside, Grow Outside

Some frequently asked questions about starting seeds indoors with grow lights. Read our detailed guide at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside, Grow Outside

Get a jumpstart on spring and start growing the plants you want now, indoors. Read our detailed guide at Empress of Dirt: Seed Starting for Beginners: Sow Inside, Grow Outside

It's been extremely cold in much of North America this week. How do the birds get by? Read more at Empress of Dirt: How Wild Birds Survive the Cold

Can plants extend their roots toward the sound of water?

New research suggests that plants can not only hear, they can respond to sounds quickly.

They've become very popular as an alternative to plastic cling wrap. We've got a step-by-step guide. Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Make Beeswax Wraps | Plastic-Free Food Storage

Millions of people feed tons of food to birds each year -- is it helpful or harmful? Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Right Birdseed for Backyard Birds and Avoid Feeder Problems

As with seeds, different bird species prefer different kinds of feeders. Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Right Birdseed for Backyard Birds and Avoid Feeder Problems

To attract the most birds, you'll want a mix of seeds. Here are six to try and one to avoid. Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Right Birdseed for Backyard Birds and Avoid Feeder Problems

Different birds prefer different seeds, but some are much more liked than others. Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Choose the Right Birdseed for Backyard Birds and Avoid Feeder Problems

It's one of the most popular ways that people interact with wild animals.

Whether solitary or social, there's something for you in gardening -- from new university research.

It's a story that's been making the rounds. Some gardeners are skeptical. Is it legit?

Seed catalogs have been part of the gardner's planning process for over a century.

You could just put the tree out for recycling -- or try one of the creative projects we've listed. Read more at Empress of Dirt: 25 Creative Ways to Reuse Christmas Trees

Lots of water? YES! Bleach? NO! Antitranspirant sprays? Probably not.

Lots of gardeners swear by techniques they say work for them. How convinced should you be?

You can keep poinsettias through the year. And they aren't going to kill you or your pets. Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Grow Poinsettias Indoors and Make Them Rebloom

Looking at Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti and how to encourage blooming. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Holiday Cactus Care and Blooming Tips

A new book -- Vertical Vegetables by Amy Andrychowicz -- will help you build your garden upward. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Life as a Gardener in Minneapolis | Get Busy Gardening

What are native plants and are they always better for our gardens?

Many resources have been devoted to removing nonnatives, but it's not as straightforward as it may seem.

Why does my compost pile smell so bad? It shouldn't -- and it can be fixed.

There'll be a lot of gifts being given over the next few weeks. If you're looking for ideas, we have some! Read more at Empress of Dirt: 20 Essential Gifts For Garden Nerds

Yes, you can keep composting over the winter, even if you live somewhere with freezing temperatures. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Easy Winter Composting in a Cold Climate

Three greens for one brown! Or is that three browns for one green? Two? Or is it 30 to 1?

One of the key ways we manage our compost pile is making sure we get a good mix of carbon and nitrogen. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Composting 101: Slow & Fast Methods

Nutrients for your plants and better soil structure for your garden, thanks mostly to bacteria. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Composting 101: Slow & Fast Methods

Even in colder climates, you can have fresh veggies from your garden in the winter. Read more at Empress of Dirt: How To Grow Vegetables Outdoors in The Winter

Honey and willow water are often suggested as rooting hormones. But do they work? And why would you try them?

Avocados are very popular, but the seeds usually get thrown out. Is eating them a good idea? Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Avocado Seeds Safe to Eat?

Banana peels are a good addition to compost, like many other kitchen scraps. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Banana Peels Good for the Garden?

There are better, safer alternatives to get any benefits baking soda may provide.

Coffee grounds can be used in the garden but may provide fewer benefits than you've heard. Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Coffee Grounds Good for the Garden?

Dish soap is often recommended for use in the garden, but how safe is it? Read more at Empress of Dirt: Is Dish Soap Safe for the Garden?

Is salt environmentally safe and harmless in your garden? Read more at Empress of Dirt: Is Salt a Good Weed Killer? What to Know First

Is household vinegar really a harmless and effective herbicide? Read more at Empress of Dirt: Does Vinegar Really Kill Weeds?

Fall is a great time for planting trees, but when is it too cold and too late in the season? Read more at Empress of Dirt: When is it too Late to Plant Trees in Fall?

The nights are starting to get colder and we're coming to that time of year when gardeners ask: when is it too late to plant my bulbs? Read more at Empress of Dirt: How Nature Tells Us It's Fall Bulb Planting Time

Halloween is nearly here and always brings the question: can I eat my Halloween pumpkin? Read more at Empress of Dirt: Are Halloween Pumpkins Edible?

They've become increasingly popular but may take a little more instruction and effort than you expect.

Everybody loves heirlooms, although there are different ideas about how the term should be applied.

What does it mean to be an organic seed? Do organic seeds result in organic plants?

Hybrids don't have the best PR among seeds, but they can provide traits you're just not going to find in plants grown from open-pollinated seeds.

Chrysanthemums are a fall icon, but if you plant them in your garden now will they survive the winter? Read more at Empress of Dirt: How to Plant Hardy Mums Outdoors as Year-Round Perennials

Continuing our look at different types of seeds that you can buy -- or in this case even produce your own, because today we're looking at open-pollinated seeds.