The Dirt

Welcome to the spot for sound advice & expert how-to tips for making your garden the best it's ever been, from Better Homes & Gardens editor-in-chief Stephen Orr.

Spring is Here!

It's time to break out your garden tools. Dig in to these fantastic spring gardening ideas and glean some advice on getting started this season.

Starting Seeds

Starting seeds indoors in winter is the inexpensive way to grow more of your favorite plants. Here's what you need to know to make your seeds blossom.

Tough Shade Perennials

Those dry, shaded spots in your yard don't have to be barren. Rely on these easy-care perennials to add color and interest to shady areas.

Heat-Tolerant Annuals

These annuals make gardening in the heat anything but impossible. And they'll bloom throughout the entire season!

Pollinator Garden Plants

Pollinating flowers is a two-way street. The only way bees and other helpful pollinators will make a difference in your garden is if you help them out by planting flowers they love. From top-choice plants to planting tips, we've got everything you need for a perfect pollinator garden.

Mulch Must-Knows

The best mulch can make all the difference in your yard. With so many types of mulch available, it can be difficult to choose. From shredded bark to compost, we cover the mulch basics to help you select which one will work best in your landscape.

How to Grow Roses

Pick one of these easy-to-grow rose varieties for the best blooms. Then follow our tips—including fertilizing, pruning, and winter protection—to enjoy the best roses all season long.

Hydrangea Basics

Beloved by gardeners far and wide, hydrangeas offer beautiful bouquets of clustered flowers. Hydrangea plant care is easy, thanks to our helpful guide to planting and tending to different hydrangea varieties.

Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs

Get ready for some warmer weather by planting the most stunning and fragrant spring-flowering trees and shrubs. We have the best of the best varieties for this spring season with everything you need to know about planting, pruning, and forcing branches.

Creative Container Gardens

Uncover the best ways to bring color to all parts of your garden with these clever container garden ideas.

Plentiful Vegetable Garden

Herbs in a Strawberry Planter

Fall-Inspired Window Boxes

Tabletop Succulent Dish Garden

Wet and Dry Dish Gardens

Nail the Basics

Grow your garden right. Master the art of gardening with this helpful advice.

Easy Ornamental Grasses

Take advantage of these graceful, low-maintenance perennials in your garden. You'll love how they sway in the wind.

How to Make Compost

In the fall, gardeners are already thinking about their springtime gardens! With these bulb-planting tips, you'll have the most beautiful garden come spring.

How to Plant Spring Bullbs

In the fall, gardeners are already thinking about their springtime gardens! With these bulb-planting tips, you'll have the most beautiful garden come spring.

Houseplants You Can't Kill

Remedy a black thumb by choosing these easy-to-care-for houseplants. Once you have established a houseplant, make sure you know the warning signs of a dying plant and how to adjust for any houseplant problems.

New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show

How to Grow and Care for Air Plants

Planting Summer Squash

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