So You Got A Mystery Plant Now What

So what comes next? How do you know how to properly care for it? How do you keep it alive and know that it isn’t going to hurt your other plants? We spoke to two plant experts who have dealt with this in the past. They both offered up some great insight on what to do. Figure Out What Type of Plant It Is “Identifying what species of plant you have is the priority," says Sarah Gerrard-Jones, author of The Plant Rescuer....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 815 words · Walter Walsh

Solid Surface Countertop Manufacturers List

Often described as plastic countertop, this is not true. It is true that 33-percent of the countertop is composed of binding resins, but the other 66-percent is minerals (a bauxite derivative, along with aluminum trihydrate, a fine white powder that helps the material maintain its smooth consistency). With this guide, learn about major manufacturers of solid surface countertops that have been around for years, even decades—half a century old in the case of Corian....

December 10, 2022 · 5 min · 983 words · Gail Thomas

Stacey Nguyen Product Reviewer For The Spruce

December 10, 2022 · 0 min · 0 words · Lauren Simpson

String Of Nickels Care And Growing Guide

This Dischidia is a relatively uncommon houseplant that can be difficult to find, but if you manage to find one, it will do well in almost any location in your home. Unlike many other types of succulents, the string of nickels does not require a bright, sunny location—it actually prefers low-light conditions. It is recommended that string of nickels are repotted annually so they do not become rootbound, which can hinder growth because their roots need plenty of aeration in order to thrive....

December 10, 2022 · 3 min · 574 words · Terry Stewart

The 1 3 Rule For Pruning Shrubs

Why the 1/3 Rule? For established shrubs and small trees, moderate pruning has the effect of stimulating new, vital growth. Plants live in a balance between the above-ground and below-ground parts. When the plant loses a notable number of stems, especially in the top of the plant, it attempts to restore balance by pushing forth new growth to keep the top greenery in balance with the water and nutrients being pushed into it by the root system....

December 10, 2022 · 5 min · 932 words · Sandi Gough

The 10 Best Gutter Guards Of 2022

The Raptor Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard is our top pick for its effective micro-mesh, quality design, and easy installation. Here are the best gutter guards for your home. Also, if you use your gutters to collect rainwater for future use, these are the best gutter guards for you. The micro-mesh is fine enough to keep even small particles from contaminating your collected water. Not only do they keep out larger items, such as leaves and animals, but they also bar pine needles, dirt, and insects....

December 10, 2022 · 7 min · 1438 words · Joe Cockerham

The 18 Best Places To Buy Pool Supplies

All of the retailers listed have supplies available for online purchase. Aqua SuperCenter What’s Available: Pool chemicals, equipment, liners, covers, accessories, parts, toys, floats, games, parts, above-ground pools, spas, fire pits and fireplaces, outdoor furniture, garden structures, outdoor recreation, pet supplies, etc. Best Buy Pool Supply What’s Available: Cleaners, chlorinators, chemicals, purifiers, heaters, filters, cartridges, pumps, control systems, lights, spa ozonoators, blowers, filters, switches, etc. Big Box Stores and Major Retailers Some people have abandoned their local mom-and-pop pool supply store in favor of big-box stores such as Costco, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Walmart....

December 10, 2022 · 3 min · 526 words · Justin Bennett

The 21 Best Emergency Kit Essentials Of 2022

When deciding which goods to invest in, you’ll want to consider the types of emergencies that your area is prone to. Next, you’ll want to create a personalized emergency plan with a list of emergency contacts, a planned escape route, and—you guessed it—an emergency kit filled with essentials that will last your family at least three days. Read on for the top products to have on hand to keep you safe and organized in any emergency....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 725 words · Charles Terry

The 5 Best Tiny House Kits Of 2022

Our best overall pick is the 84 Lumber The Countryside Tiny Home, which is fully mobile and has luxe features like bamboo flooring, low-emissivity windows, and a dual-split HVAC system. Here are the best tiny house kits. The outside of the house is clad in rustic wood paneling, and the cathedral ceilings provide a stunning Victorian aesthetic. Plus, the kit comes loaded with amenities that will make you feel right at home: an electric water heater, a ductless cooling and heating system, a raised bar area for you to eat or work at, and more....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 826 words · Vickey Nelson

The 50 Best Toys For 3 Year Olds Of 2022 By The Spruce

We researched and tested the best toys on the market to find our top picks, evaluating educational value, engagement level, and durability. Our favorite is the Fat Brain Toys Squigz Starter Set, a colorful collection of stackable plastic shapes that provide a sensory experience for eyes, ears, and little hands. Here are the best toys for three-year-olds. Our tester loved that her little ones instinctively practiced categorizing the Squigz by color as they played and noted that they were endlessly entertained by the satisfying pop each piece made when pulled off a wall or window....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 749 words · Michael Andujar

The 6 Best Travel Steamers Of 2022 Tested By The Spruce

After hours of testing the top steamers on the market, we landed on the True & Tidy Handheld Garment Steamer as our number-one pick. However, there are plenty of other great options for different needs. Read on for the best travel steamers to take with you on the road. This travel steamer comes with a brush attachment that can help smooth fabric as you work, and it was ready to use in around two minutes....

December 10, 2022 · 5 min · 1039 words · Christopher Capulong

The 61 Best Gifts For Toddlers Of 2022 By The Spruce

We researched the best options on the market, considering each pick’s educational factors, entertainment value, and age suitability. Our favorite picks include fashionable plush pets from GUND, simple arts and crafts from Alex Toys, and a push toy from Melissa & Doug for early walkers. Designed for kids as young as 2 years old, the Number Lovin’ Oven includes an easy-to-follow recipe card for things like fried eggs, pizza, and cupcakes....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 816 words · Daniel Woods

The 7 Best Drill Presses Of 2022 For Power And Precision

Our product tester loved the WEN 12-Inch Variable Press’s reliability, ease of use, and accurate laser guide. Here are the best drill presses on the market, based on power, reliability, versatility, and outstanding features. It is all too easy to find the wrong drill press for your needs while shopping. Plenty of options promise the power you need for most construction projects but fail to deliver when needed. The WEN 12-Inch Variable Press, with a 12-inch swing and 3-1/8-inch stroke distance, is designed to skip the overselling and simply offers a powerful, straightforward drill press for your shop....

December 10, 2022 · 6 min · 1163 words · Alfred Brown

The 7 Best Hotel Style Sheets Of 2022

Our best overall pick is the Chateau Home Collection Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set, a relatively affordable option made with a lustrous sateen weave in various colors. Here are the best hotel-style sheets. The Chateau Home Collection sheets take top marks in all of our most important categories: quality, feel, price and style. They are 100 percent Egyptian cotton, and the perfect thing to take your bedroom from blah to “shouldn’t this be costing me $200 a night?...

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 643 words · Gabriel Elliott

The 8 Best Digital Picture Frames Of 2022 By The Spruce

When researching the best digital photo frames, we took all of the above into account, plus looked for options that have excellent sharing capabilities and are user-friendly. Our top pick, the Pix-Star Easy Digital Photo Frame, allows you to securely send photos to family members through a variety of upload options, including email, the compatible app, USB stick, and online photo albums on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram....

December 10, 2022 · 7 min · 1315 words · Allen Kearney

The 8 Best Outdoor Showers Of 2022

Our favorite, the PULSE Showerspas 1055-SSB Wave Outdoor Shower, is made from stainless steel, has a hand shower wand and foot rinse spout, and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Here are the best outdoor showers. In addition to the fixed showerhead, the PULSE Wave offers various functions to suit your showering needs with a slim hand shower wand and foot rinse spout. The built-in diverter controls water flow and makes it easy to switch from showerhead to wand or foot rinse....

December 10, 2022 · 5 min · 976 words · Susie Shelton

The 8 Best Portable Dishwashers Of 2022

Our top pick, the GE 24-inch Portable Dishwasher, offers the convenience and capacity of a full-size dishwasher, yet it’s mounted on caster wheels and hooks up to a faucet for easy operation. Here, the best portable dishwashers for clean dishes in any space, large or small. If you’re looking for the convenience and capacity of a full-size dishwasher, this 24-inch portable model from GE is the way to go. It can hold up to 12 place settings at a time thanks to its spacious interior, and it even has a hard food disposer that ensures solid pieces don’t clog up its arms or your drains....

December 10, 2022 · 8 min · 1494 words · Marquitta Wilson

The 8 Best Water Bottle Cleaning Brushes Of 2022

From bristled to silicone options to multi-tool kits, there are plenty of water bottle cleaning brushes on the market. We’ve spent hours researching the best water bottle cleaning brushes, evaluating their size, material, cleaning abilities, and dishwasher compatibility. Our best overall pick is the OXO Good Grips Water Bottle Cleaning Set because it has powerful scrubbing capabilities and includes three brushes for a thorough cleaning. Here are the best water bottle cleaning brushes, backed by our research....

December 10, 2022 · 5 min · 1007 words · Jesse Edmonds

The 8 Best Weed Eaters Of 2023

Our best overall pick is the Ryobi 40-Volt Brushless Electric String Trimmer, which stands out for its variable speed control, adjustable cutting width, and range of attachments. Here are the best weed eaters. What do buyers say? 3,500+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 5 stars. For a powerful, versatile, and effective weed eater, we recommend the Ryobi Electric Cordless String Trimmer. This electric weed eater delivers plenty of power, with the convenience of rechargeable electric batteries....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 656 words · Steven Cozzi

The Best Smart Water Leak Detectors Of 2022

To find the best water leak detectors for different needs and smart home setups, we spoke with plumbing and leak prevention experts and used hands-on experience and research to judge top models on their cost, user-friendliness, smart home compatibility, and app features. Our top pick is the Moen 920-005 Flo Smart Water Leak Detector because it’s easy to install and use, comes packed with smart features, and is affordable and compact....

December 10, 2022 · 9 min · 1738 words · Julius Curtiss