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Plants need exactly 22 things to exist: water, light and 20 essential elements that support their biochemical needs. As a gardener, you’re likely familiar with at least three of those elements — nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. What you may not know is that sulfur is another of those elements, and it’s just as crucial to plant health as phosphorus. Found in water, air, rock, animals, plants and our bodies, sulfur is absolutely essential for all living things....

You may be meticulous about mowing, weeding, seeding and watering your lawn, but still find it lackluster in color and health. “Don’t blame your efforts,” says Midwest Lawn Co. owner Eric Harbit. “Blame thatch.” Many homeowners don’t know their lawn may be compromised by a hidden enemy. Thatch, a dense layer of organic material — including live and dead grass, roots, leaves, stems and weeds — covers the surface of the soil....

Many of today’s air-cleaning furnace filters put undue stress on your HVAC system, causing it to wear prematurely, according to Eric Weiss, a technical trainer for Trane Residential. If you’re replacing or installing a furnace and clean air is a priority, there are two key questions to ask your furnace contractor that can accomplish your clean-air goals and head off costly HVAC repairs. Don’t need a new furnace? You may be able to modify your existing one instead....

Being organized is the name of the game right before you close on a home. It’s important to have all of your financial documents in order and create a plan around reviewing and purchasing the best home protection plans that fit your needs and lifestyle. Also, be ready to set up and schedule your utilities and do a change of address! Consider what actions you should take before you close on your new home....

When it comes to keeping your car clean, you’ve got options. Your choice should align with your overall car care plan. A touchless car wash offers one primary advantage over other types of washes: You avoid any contact with surfaces that can become contaminated with grit and grime, potentially scratching your car’s precious finish. How Does a Touchless Car Wash Work? When you drive into a touchless car wash, a sensor guides you to drive forward into the correct position....

Sump pumps fail. Grass grows. Paint peels. Maintenance demands on your home don’t go dormant during social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines. The same goes for any dreams you have for renovation projects or new construction. Your local contractors have found ways to safely provide services through challenging circumstances, particularly consultations and estimates. Virtual Estimates On the Rise Nick Slavik of Nick Slavik Painting and Restoration Co. in New Prague, Minn., switched to online consultations several years ago, so he was ready when the COVID-19 pandemic changed business conditions....

As more homeowners tackle DIY projects around the home — especially in the kitchen — ductless range hoods are becoming more popular, in part because they’re relatively simple to install. What Is a Ductless Range Hood? A ductless range hood (aka a ventless range hood) is an appliance positioned above your cooktop that captures smoke, steam, strong smells and airborne oils that would otherwise fill your kitchen. On This Page...

Do you want to keep a well-organized home and garage this year? Look no further than The Home Depot storage and organization sale. The Home Depot is offering up to 35 percent off select storage solutions. Refresh your garage, closet or really any space in your house with this awesome sale. Here’s what you need to know ASAP. Shop Now Plus, whether your garage is small or simply cluttered, these cheap garage storage projects will save the day!...

Feeding backyard birds is one of the most popular forms of nature recreation. Part of the charm is its simplicity. Putting out a bird feeder is an easy way to connect with nature. But for such a basic activity, the variety of feeders and seeds can be overwhelming. Here are some basic bird feeder essentials to get you started. Types of Bird Feeders Feeding Without a Feeder The simplest feeder is no feeder at all....

ipopba/Getty Images Digital screens are sharper, brighter and clearer than ever. That’s great for picture quality, but bright screens also makes any fingerprints and smudges on the screen stand out in sharp relief. The good news is that cleaning digital screens is a fairly uncomplicated process, as long as you make sure to use the right materials and products. How to Clean Phone Screens When it comes to cleaning screens, a clean microfiber cloth is your best friend....

BondRocketImages/Shutterstock Everyone knows that if your refrigerator is running, you should probably go catch it. But what do you do if your refrigerator is not running, especially on a day centered mainly around food and football? Here’s a quick guide on the troubleshooting steps you should take if your refrigerator breaks down on the day of the big game. Is the Motor Running? The first thing you should always do when you notice that your refrigerator is not running as it should is to pull the unit away from the wall and listen for the sound of its motor....

Family Handyman You’ll end up with a much bigger problem If your toilet isn’t solidly fastened to the floor, there may be trouble in your future. Any movement of the toilet damages the wax seal. That leads to leaks and major repairs. To steady a rocking toilet, cut plastic shims to fit and slip them underneath (you may have to remove caulk before adding shims). Then caulk around the toilet and snug down the nuts on the bolts....

The construction industry is known for its low and tough-to-predict profit margins. While it would be optimal for profits to increase every year, that’s not always the case. Outside factors influence the industry in unanticipated ways, leading to occasional decreases in demand. There are, however, a few things that contractors can do to help increase their profits. Here are our suggestions. Use Construction Software Construction software can make projects much easier to manage, giving insights on valuable data that can be used for important business decisions....

Dandelions: There’s More to Them Than Meets the Eye Dandelions are an ornamental weed. That’s right, ornamental. But those golden yellow blooms quickly turn to fluffy seedheads that disperse in the wind (or with the breath of a giddy toddler blowing the seeds into the air). Before you know it, you’ve got a field of these invasive plants where once grew a promising lawn. We all know that dandelions can be annoying — do you know these other surprising facts about dandelions?...

Maybe your neighbors don’t keep their backyard as tidy as you do. Maybe the afternoon sun makes your patio feel like the inside of a greenhouse. Or maybe you just want to spruce up your yard a little, without making a huge investment in new fencing. Introducing, the fence topper! If you’ve never heard of fence toppers, or you’re curious about how they work, how much they cost and whether you can DIY them, here are the answers....

If you’ve ever grown lavender in your garden, you know there are a lot of reasons to love it. Lavender’s pretty, fragrant blooms attract pollinators and give off a sweet perfume. It’s a hardy, perennial bush in most zones, and easy to care for. And lavender plants look nice even when they’re not blooming. To remain healthy and beautiful, lavender needs regular pruning, along with well-drained soil and lots of sunshine....

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty and that green stain in your sink have something in common? They’re both the result of a chemical reaction. While it’s nothing of immediate concern, it’s important to understand what it is and where it’s coming from. What Is That Green Stain In Sinks? That green stain in your sink is actually copper deposited from pipes or fixtures. You’ve likely seen it pool around your drain, but the issue isn’t with your sink or drain....

Are you facing the prospect of serious snow removal for the first time? Maybe you’ve moved to a cold climate or bought a house after renting, so now the snow removal on your property is your responsibility. If so, you’re probably wondering if it’s better to splurge on a new snow blower or sign a contract with a snow removal service. Key Considerations Cost of a Snow Removal Service vs a Snowblower?...

Garden tillers are popular power tools for home gardeners. A tiller’s spinning metal blades churn and loosen the soil, making it easier for your soil amendments to penetrate, your gardening tools to dig and your plants to absorb nutrients and thrive. But tilling a garden isn’t a weekly task like mowing the lawn. And depending on its size and power, a tiller can be a hefty investment. Fortunately, garden tiller rental is an option....

For any homeowner, garage storage space in high demand. With everything from lawn mowers to power tools taking up space it can be hard to find room for everything that needs to be stored, especially something as bulky as a bicycle. By utilizing vertical bike parking, Steadyrack Bike Racks offer a simple and elegant bike-storage solution, leaving you with much more free space than before. Many people choose to get bikes out of the way by hanging them from the ceiling, which makes them hard to reach and causes an unnecessary amount of heavy lifting....