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It’s easy to leave a trail of items in your backyard. After all, we all forget to pick up tools and stuff from time to time — and sometimes it’s just plain convenient to leave things where they are. But some items are all too often stolen, damaged or cause accidents when they’re left behind. Here are 12 things to never leave out in your yard. Yard and Power Tools While they may be called “outdoor tools,” lawn mowers, garden tools and the like should never be left in your yard....

Most homeowners assume that at the end of the summer, their grass care duties are over. They’re wrong, though. The truth is that fall is the time when your lawn needs you the most. That’s the best time to get it ready for spring. Follow these five fall prep steps and you’ll have the healthiest lawn you’ve ever had next spring when things start greening up again. Water If it’s been a dry fall, make sure the soil is moist going into winter....

Anyone who lives in an area with mosquitos knows the little pests can turn any time outside into an absolute itch-fest. While most of the time their buzz and bite are mainly annoying, mosquitoes may also carry diseases like the West Nile Virus and Zika that make them potentially much more harmful. The good news? While mosquitoes can be hard to control, there are proven steps you can take to keep them away from you and your summer gatherings....

Is hardwood or softwood better for building a fire? The answer largely depends on where you’re building the fire and what you’re using it for. Cooking? Home heating? Or just warming up a campsite? We’ve simplified the answers for you in this firewood guide to hardwood vs. softwood so you can find the best firewood for heating and other situations. What is Hardwood? Hardwoods are broadly a category of slow-growing trees that produce dense wood....

Plan on building a deck? Reduce the chance of water infiltration—install the decking a few inches below patio and entry door thresholds. It’s true that decking installed at the same level as the interior flooring looks great and makes for a smooth transition, but unless you live in the desert, it’s not a good idea. When decking is installed up tight to the bottom of a door, that door is not only subject to falling rain, but also to the rain that splashes off the decking....

Clutter makes small spaces seem even smaller. Tackle that issue in your small bedroom closet with a two-part strategy: some smart weeding-out, then reorganizing via efficient, accessible storage. If done right, it can effectively double your limited closet space and help you find what you need, when you need it. Inspired? Start here. Start Fresh Begin by taking everything out of the closet. Set aside for donation any items that no longer fit you or your style....

Two states on opposite sides of the country have a rhododendron as their state flower. Washington claims Rhododendron macrophyllum, while West Virginia recognizes Rhododendron maximum. Both are native to those areas. From east to west, we love our rhododendrons. What Are Rhododendrons? Rhododendrons are flowering shrubs in the plant family Ericaceae, known for growing best in acidic soils. On This Page Native rhododendrons grow in North America, Europe and Asia, generally along the edges of wooded areas where the soil and shade are to their liking....

Courtesy of ConExpo-Con/AGG ConExpo-Con/AGG is the biggest construction trade show in North America, representing concrete, earthmoving, asphalt, aggregates and more. For their next show, ConExpo-Con hopes to expand their horizons even further by bringing a closer focus to women in the construction trades, with some help from a few key associations. “As the largest construction industry-focused trade show in North America, ConExpo-Con/AGG seeks to draw attention to and celebrate the important role women play in the industry,” said Dana Wuesthoff, ConExpo-Con/AGG show director....

Courtesy of StructureTech If you live in a part of the country where snow accumulates on your roof in the winter, you likely know all about ice dams. Ice dams are ridges of ice that form along the edges of your roof during the freeze-melt-refreeze cycles and they prevent the melting snow from draining off the roof. Ice dams can cause water to back up and leak into your home, causing significant damage to your roof, walls, insulation and ceilings....

You’re hearing and seeing a lot about home automation everywhere you go. But what does it really mean? Home automation refers to everyday home electronics and appliances that can be controlled remotely using an app or voice commands. Whether you’re home or away from home, the app lets you turn them on or off, or you can schedule them to do it automatically. Some devices with these capabilities usually have the word “smart” in the name to let you know....

All clamps serve the same purpose: to hold things securely. But you might be surprised at how many different varieties of clamps there are. Every woodworking shop stocks several types of clamps so wood can be drilled, shaped and fastened together. They’re used by plumbers and electricians to secure pipes and conduit, fence companies use them to attach wire fencing to posts and rails, and metalworkers to weld. Some types of clamps are even useful in unintended ways....

Get the Features You Want Do an Internet search for “surveillance cameras” and you’ll find a dizzying array of products and options with many different price points. Before moving further, you have to figure out how many security cameras you need. We surveyed the current crop of cameras for you and found that most have a lot of the same features and can be had for only $50 to $200. So before you start shopping, think about the features that would fill your camera needs and security camera installation....

The boom in the U.S. housing market that caused a spike in demand and selling prices since the start of the coronavirus pandemic might be coming to an end. In a January 27 press conference, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell suggested the surge was unsustainable and likely to end soon. “Some of the tightness in housing markets, which has led to the significant price increases this year, we think is a passing phenomenon,” Powell said....

Well, for starters, if you’re asking yourself what does HVAC stand for anyway, then you might need to take a quick course in Homeowning 01, which is a new website presented by American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning that curates helpful content to better equip new (and less handy) homeowners with a deeper understanding of how to care for their big investment. Look at it this way. If you own an HVAC system, then you are a proud parent of something that will make every day at home more comfortable and enjoyable....

To prevent rust and extend the life of a cast iron skillet, it’s best not to use soap to clean it. Instead, use a about a tablespoon of coarse salt to scrub the pan after a meal. The salt breaks up bits of stuck food and residue on the skillet. Then you can toss the dirty salt in the trash, rinse the pan with hot water and dry it with a clean towel....

Africa Studio/Shutterstock For many homeowners, lampshades are one of several household items that are easily forgotten during routine cleaning and only get noticed when they’re looking particularly dirty. Fortunately, cleaning lampshades is easy. We’ll show you how to clean lampshades of all materials. Plus, these are the spots to never, ever miss when cleaning. Family Handyman How to Clean a Dusty Lampshade Fabric lampshades are magnets for dust and pet hair....

If you’ve painted one, you’ve probably painted a hundred homes with the modern farmhouse palette over the past few years: All-white walls—or light grays—accented with shiplap or barnwood. But take heart: The color-trend pendulum appears to be slowly swinging the other way, and it has a brighter outlook. At least, that is what appears to be happening, according to the 250 designers who dished to Sherwin-Williams to reveal what’s in, what’s out, and what’s next for the world of paint color and design for 2020 and beyond....

Courtesy of Stanley Tools What is a Hacksaw? A hacksaw is a hand-powered, small-toothed saw used for cutting metal pipes, rods, brackets, etc. Hacksaws can also cut through plastic. The hacksaw has a U-shaped frame and a handle at one end. Hacksaws have small pins at each end of the frame that receive a blade. A tensioner nut or knob is then used to extend the length of the frame, which puts tension on the blade and locks it in place....

If your gas grill is a workhorse during the warm weather months, it’s worth learning how to clean it. Follow any of these options to get your gas grill clean, which will help your food taste great and keep your grill in good shape for years to come. Be sure to tune up your grill at the start of the season, too. For grilling safety, always make sure your grill is cool and both the grill and its gas supply are turned off before you start cleaning....

Most U.S. homes rely on a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system to keep indoor temperatures in check. And the thermostat traditionally has been tasked with controlling the HVAC system and balancing your indoor comfort. The evolution of technology has made smart thermostats the norm. These more intelligent controls are replacing standard programmable thermostats and offering homeowners additional benefits like home automation, remote access, system diagnostics and energy efficiency....