Before you try to fix your plant with too many supplements and kill it with kindness, be sure you eliminate other obvious causes for sickly plants: Check first for signs of insects or disease.Foliage discoloration and stunted plants can easily be caused by soil that is too wet and drains poorly or soil that is too compacted for good root growth.Extreme cold or heat will slow plant growth and affect flowering and fruit set....

Who is Quan Yin? Quan Yin (Kuan Yin or Guan Yin) is the bodhisattva of great compassion. A bodhisattva is a human being that has made a vow to dedicate all of their lifetimes to the enlightenment of all humankind. Bodhisattvas continue to reincarnate and return to the world to help guide others to enlightenment. Quan Yin is a gender-fluid symbol, as she is the feminine version of the masculine Avalokiteshvara (Chenezig in Tibetan)....

Northerners should be ready with a to-do list so that, whenever they get a chance, they can get their gardening work done. Spring is often a pitifully short season: Some years, in some regions, parts of May are hot enough to feel like summer. Perform all necessary gardening tasks before it gets too hot to work outdoors comfortably.​ All Regions No matter where you live, you will probably need to water the garden some in May....

We recently had the pleasure of connecting with woodworking artist Aleksandra Zee from her sun-filled living room in Northern California, where her big smile and clear passion for her work shined through instantly. As we chatted, Aleksandra told us all about how she began, where in nature she finds her inspiration, and what she hopes for her future as a female artist working in a male-dominated medium. 2008: Cutting Her Teeth at Anthropologie “I first fell in love with woodworking while I was a window display artist for Anthropologie,” she told us....

With over 40,000 customers giving the Mellanni 1800 Collection Microfiber Sheet Set a 5-star review, this set already had a lot of hype behind it. At just under $25, these sheets are certainly affordable, but I wondered if they could also be breathable and soft too. So, I slept on this set for three weeks to find out if they lived up to their reputation. Material: Brushed microfiber While the material, 100% microfiber, is soft and airy, it’s also thin and a bit slippery....

The great “secret” of this style: you can save tons of money on the pavers because, unlike natural stone walks, style is achieved by placement and context. In other words, if you’re going for the square-paver look, 16" concrete pavers (or stepping stones, as they are called sometimes) will suffice. Just take a look at the West Seattle walkway later in this photo gallery and you’ll see what I mean....

How to Mulch Leaves Just like grass clippings, leaves should be mulched with a mulching mower. A mulching mower uses unique mowing blades in conjunction with “baffling” under the deck. The leaves or grass clippings are cut multiple times as they circulate in the interior chamber. The finely chopped material eventually gets pushed down onto the lawn surface. Occasionally, leaves will have to be mowed several times. It may seem a little tedious, but it is far more cost-effective and labor-saving than alternatives like raking or leaf blowing....

In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are highlighting AAPI owned businesses in the month of May to share their voices and recognize their influence on the Asian community. What started out as a restorative hobby transformed into an expressive ceramic business that is bringing a new meaning to what work can be like—unpredictable and playful. Carrie Lau began her ceramic journey as a way to pick up a new hobby and simultaneously be connected to her professional creative roles as an illustrator and art director....

Because there are no universal standards for exhaust and intake pipes on high-efficiency furnaces, there is a lack of clarity and accountability over approved construction standards for this piping material. When installing this type of furnace, it’s best to follow the pipe specifications of the manufacturer as well as any local building or plumbing code requirements. Types of High-Efficiency Furnace Venting Systems There are two types of condensing furnaces: two-pipe, or direct-vent, systems and single-pipe systems, which have non-direct venting....

A Shade That’s Meant to Soothe Described by the brand as a “sophisticated grey-green,” Olive Sprig is a hue that’s meant to soothe. It represents “healing, regrowth, and resiliency,” which PPG knows are all things we’ll need to thrive. “As many of us know following a year of lockdown, the easiest way to shift your mindset is to change your environment,” said Amy Donato, senior color marketing manager of PPG paint....

Here’s what to look for when shopping for sustainable furniture. Sustainable Furniture Materials Sustainable furniture is made from materials that have certain eco-friendly characteristics. These materials often are recycled or repurposed. Sustainable furniture can also be made from materials that are easily renewable. For example, bamboo grows quickly and easily, so it’s a good choice for a renewable resource. Furthermore, sustainable furniture commonly avoids the use of hazardous chemicals and instead consists of products that don’t off-gas or emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds), such as nontoxic paints and stains....

Material: Incredibly soft and no shedding The Qbedding Inc. Microplush Flannel Fleece Blanket is made of 100 percent polyester. The first thing we noticed about this blanket is that it’s incredibly soft to the touch. The blanket comes in 14 colors to match almost any decor. In addition to a nice selection of solid colors, the blanket can be ordered in several leopard prints—perfect if you’re looking to add some flair to your home....

Few people enjoy mowing their lawn, but it’s a job that has to get done. While gas-powered mowers have long been the status quo, electric options are now popping up across the market, and they promise users just as much power and no gas or oil to change. While we were initially hesitant to transition, we decided to try the RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless Self-Propelled Mower. Read on to see how it handled our yard....

Scouring the internet can save you money, but it can also be time-consuming. Luckily for you, we took care of the tedious part. Whether you’re partial to soft, firm, memory foam, gel, or hybrid mattresses, we found the sweetest deals for your sweetest dreams. Just make sure you check the fine print because discounted mattresses don’t always come with a money-back trial guarantee. These are the best mattress deals available now....