Some say evening. Others might tell you do it in the morning. The best time to water your plants seems like such a simple question, but it’s one that will likely elicit a wide range of answers from anyone you ask. And while there are some general guidelines to follow when it comes to the best time to water plants, the most important rule to consider is to do it before they need it....
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock There’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to brighten and update any room of your home. The problem is, no matter how careful you are, paint always seems to end up not only on the wall, but on your clothes, too. If you’ve had a paint accident, don’t throw it out just yet. Here are a few tips on how to remove paint from clothes. How Do You Remove Water-Based Paint from Clothing?...
Insider Advice If you’re looking to save money on power tools, consider going the “factory-reconditioned” route. Most of the time they’re good- quality tools that somebody just changed their mind about after they opened the box, or they returned it because of a defect. These tools are sent back to the manufacturers, who fix whatever’s wrong with them and then sell them again at a discount. “The product is good and often comes with a warranty,” says Jason Swanson of Techtronic Industries, makers of Ryobi and Ridgid power tools....
Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Swanson Hummingbird Bird Bath Fountains Most backyard birds love to bathe and splash around in a clean birdbath, hummingbirds included! Although they occasionally stop at a shallow bath for a dip, these tiny birds prefer to wet their feathers by flying through or sitting under a gentle spray. One of the best ways to transform your landscape into a hummingbird hub is to incorporate a moving water feature....
When summer is in full swing and it’s time to switch on the air conditioning, you may find yourself in one of two camps: Complaining the thermostat setting is too cold, or uncomfortably warm because someone set it too high. No one likes sweating while they’re relaxing in their home, just as no one likes to wear a woolly sweater in July. Let’s take a look at the ideal temperature to set your thermostat in the summer, keeping everyone comfortable while preventing your energy bill from going through the roof....
Kitchens are hardworking spaces where cooking, gathering and an array of other tasks happen. Smart kitchen organization is what keeps the space humming in good, efficient order. “The kitchen is often the heart of a home, where people gather and where the action is often happening,” says Amy Trager, a certified professional organizer. “To have an organized kitchen not only creates an inviting space for these gatherings, but allows for easy prep of meals, reduction in food waste and quicker clean-up time for the whole family....
There must be just a little bit of Italian romantic in most of us, even me, a no-nonsense German! What else could explain our love for pergolas? OK, some people call them arbors or gazebos, and the distinctions between them are kinda nitpicky, but you know what I’m talking about—a structure, usually with an open top and sides, that provides support for vines, climbing flowers or other plants. Carrie Bussell from North Carolina designed a unique pergola to create what she calls her “pergorch....
Florian Teodor/Shutterstock As cute as Jiminy Cricket is, you don’t want his extended family hanging out in your garden or the house, which is where they might go when looking for shelter. Crickets are small, light- to dark-brown insects that look a bit like their relative, the grasshoppers. Some, such as mole crickets, are serious lawn pests in the South. They live in the ground during the day—tunneling beneath turf and eating roots, causing grass to wilt and turn brown—and come out at night....
JP Stock Images/Shutterstock Even if you like cats (not everyone does, you know!), you probably don’t want strays using your lawn, garden, sandbox and/or planters as a litter box. It’s stinky, gross and cat feces can carry parasites like Toxoplasma, which is potentially dangerous to humans and deadly for pregnant women and those with a compromised immune symptom. If stray cats are having a field day in your flower beds, you need to know how to keep them out of your yard....
Dmitrii Pridannikov/Shutterstock In all honesty, there are a lot of things that you shouldn’t be throwing down the drain (or your garbage disposal, or even your toilet). But there are two items in particular that plumbers signify as the biggest culprit for drain blockages, especially during the holidays: Grease and potato peels. That’s right! These two items, which are most likely dumped down the kitchen sink, tend to cause a lot of issues for plumbers nationwide....
Winter vegetable gardening: It almost sounds like an oxymoron, like “open secret.” Well, here’s an open secret worth telling: Winter vegetable gardening is a real thing in the desert Southwest, deep South and Pacific Northwest. And it even has some bearing in the North. What, are you kidding? Well, with the help of a hoop house and supplemental heat, Northern gardeners can grow tomatoes into December (some commercial operations do exactly that)....
Bait Station Keep Mice Out of Your House Mice may be cute rodents, but they’re a nuisance and sometimes a danger to your home. Once mice infiltrate your home, they’ll gnaw away at insulation, wiring, food, and even office supplies and books. Additionally, they can bring in diseases and other pests. Pest control is important and there are various methods out there, from poison and baited mouse traps to natural and non-lethal options....
If you’re into grilled meats, you undoubtedly know about charcoal grills. Used all over the world, these outdoor cooking appliances make great-tasting food with a smoky flavor. Learn all about charcoal grills and decide for yourself if one makes sense for you. What Is a Charcoal Grill? Charcoal grills are combustion appliances designed to hold and cook food over burning charcoal. The modern charcoal kettle grill was invented in 1951 by American entrepreneur George Stephen....
Carpet has many advantages: It’s soft underfoot, comfy to sit on and helps absorb sound, to name a few. But the fibers are dirt magnets, and spills and splatters can definitely leave a permanent mark. Consequently, proper carpet cleaning helps prolong the life of your carpet (ground-in dirt can wear down the fibers) by keeping it looking, smelling and feeling its freshest. “Cleaning your carpet plays a big role in the appearance and smell of your home and is essential to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and fungi,” says Lauren Bowen, director of franchise operations for Two Maids & A Mop....
When shopping for composite or engineered decking material most people are only concerned with how it looks, what it costs, and how long it will last. Not enough people consider heat. When exposed to full sunlight, engineered and composite decking can get very, very hot. And the darker the color, the hotter it gets. MoistureShield has addressed this toasty issue with their CoolDeck composite decking that they claim keeps deck boards up to 35% cooler on those blazing hot summer days....
On August 4, 2022, DeWalt announced the immediate recall of three of its popular miter saws. Here’s what you need to know about the recall, including how to determine if it impacts you, and what steps to take to initiate a repair claim. Why Were They Recalled? According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), the rear safety guard on three models of DeWalt miter saws may “break or detach, posing an injury hazard due to projectiles that can strike the user and bystanders and a laceration hazard to the user who could come into direct contact with the saw blade....
Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock When it comes to giving your countertops a quick clean, there are quite a few cleaning solutions to choose from. Probably one of the easiest items to use are wipes—which are particularly popular for brands such as Clorox or Lysol. Sure, they are convenient, but you should keep them far away from your granite countertops. Although these wipes rarely have any bleach in them, they do typically use citric acid to help clean up the soap scum....
Plywood vs. OSB There is often a debate on which is better: plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Both can be used in structural applications for roofs, walls and floors. Let’s take a look at which one might be the better choice for you and your projects. On This Page Moisture OSB is more resistant to moisture absorption but also takes longer to dry out. When OSB gets wet for extend periods of time the edges swell and can telegraph through materials that will later be installed over it....
When Al Gingrow saw the Grill Gazebo plans in the Family Handyman May 2016 issue, he knew he had to build this grilling shelter project in his backyard. “We have had several pool parties and the bottom line is—The Grillzebo is a hit! Everyone loves the setup of the Grillzebo and it’s comforts, especially the delicious grilled food prepared in front of them. I am looking forward to many years of fun and memories....
In my old house, every time I used the range, the smoke alarms would trigger. I’d have to grab a stool and air out the alarm or just disconnect it entirely. It made me want to microwave everything! Today’s smart smoke alarms, such as the Nest Protect, allow you to disable nuisance alarms from your phone. Unfortunately, the Nest Protect costs about $120. I looked for something cheaper and found the Roost smart battery, a 9-volt with a brain, that costs about $35 on getroost....
