Why “Colored” Mulches Were Developed This is a wood product that has been dyed (usually with a dye that is vegetable-based) to assume a color that a mulch would not have naturally (or to “lock in” color so that it does not fade so quickly). There are mulches that blend into a landscape, and then there are those that make a statement in their own right or help bring out the colors in your plants....

Quality and Durability Both nylon and triexta are available in carpets of many different qualities. Thus, carpets made with one fiber are not going to be unilaterally better than carpets made with the other fiber. When comparing a nylon carpet to a triexta carpet of equivalent quality, there is a slight overall difference in durability. Nylon is more resilient than triexta, meaning that it bounces back from compaction more quickly. According to Mohawk, the manufacturer of triexta carpets, triexta is as strong as nylon....

Though they are perennials by nature, the parrot tulip, as well as many other varieties of spring bulbs, are often grown as annuals. Parrot tulip aficionados know that these cultivated varieties typically lose their vigor after the first year. Parrot tulips are large, fancy flowers that are a perfect addition to a flower bed or border where their exotic beauty can be fully showcased. There’s an array of options when it comes to parrot tulips, ranging from petite four-inch botanical species to the giant 30-inch cultivated plants....

Pendleton isn’t an iconic brand for nothing. With an unwavering focus on classic, high-quality wool products, the company has stood the test of time. Even now, in an age of eco-friendly initiatives, the 150-year-old company has kept up to speed with their sustainably sourced Eco-Wise Wool Washable Blanket. We tried it out for a week to see if this blanket offers all the comfort, quality, and warmth that’s made the brand a multi-generational favorite....

When you choose hardy, adaptable plants for your flower garden, you don’t need to worry about weather vagaries or odd micro-climates claiming your specimens. Instead, you can focus on fragrance, attracting wildlife, and just enjoying the vibrancy of your flowers. These eight perennial flowers will come back reliably each year, whether you live in Florida or Minnesota. These cheerful yellow flowers attract butterflies while repelling deer, and don’t mind poor, rocky soil....

The Science Behind Deep Planting Burying your tomato plants deep into the soil helps them grow better because tomatoes form roots all along any buried portion of the stem—if you look closely you will see tiny bumps, which are the roots before they develop. These are called adventitious roots, meaning these roots form on the upper part of the plant—the stem, leaves, branches—instead of the main root ball. With tomato plants, this type of root develops only along the stem....

The plant is native to north America and as such has significant wildlife value: Birds like robins like the berries, songbirds feed on its berries during fall migration, and other birds feed on the insects that live on poison oak. However, when poison oak pops ups in your yard, protecting yourself from its dangers should take precedence over any wildlife considerations. After proper identification, it should be removed safely. Familiarizing yourself with poison oak will also help you identify poison oak it in the wild so you can avoid exposure....

Problems With Tiling Check for the following characteristics: Cracks: All concrete cracks. It is a natural characteristic of the material. Small, hairline cracks will not interfere with your new patio. But long, wide cracks can pose a risk to the tile. These cracks can cause the tile to crack, as well. Holes: Are there any large holes in your concrete? These need to be filled with new concrete before tiling. After the holes are filled, consider using a crack isolation membrane....

It turns out that while neutral paint and decluttering your home are key in prepping a space, there is so much more to staging than you might realize. A super clean house is key for staging, but even that can’t save you from feeling visually cluttered. When designing a room, consider how your furniture placement dictates exactly how you move through your home. “Placing a sofa perpendicular to the doorway to an adjoining room can visually lead people ahead,” explained Lesley....

Why We Mow Grass But, alas, it is not that simple. This question really boils down to a more basic question: Aesthetics aside, why do we bother mowing lawns, in the first place? After all, one does not push a lawn mower around for one’s amusement. If we take the factor of mere appearance off the table (that is, if we assume that a slightly unkempt look in the yard is not something that you lose sleep over at night), is there any other reason to keep to a regular mowing regimen and follow all of the rules?...

Repel is an insect repellent manufacturing company that makes products for personal use (mosquito sprays and wipes), as well as area repellents (foggers and citronella candles). Many of their products, including candles, are designed to be transported for use at campsites or deep woods hiking. To see if the company’s single-wick Insect Repellent Citronella Candle was effective, we burned the candle for several hours in a humid, mosquito-ridden backyard. We evaluated the candle for performance, safety, and setup, as well as a few other categories....

Location: Seattle, Washington, in the Wedgwood neighborhood north of downtown. “It’s actually the neighborhood my dad grew up in and my grandparents lived there for fifty-plus years,” Ruff shares. An Ideal Project in a “Crazy” Real Estate Market This 1,900 square feet, 3 bed/2 bath home might not have been love at first sight, but it ticked some major must-haves for Ruff and her family. “The real estate market is always crazy in Seattle, and we had lost out on a couple of homes before this one,” Ruff tells us....

Do ducts get dusty? Yes.Is that normal? Yes.Should you regularly clean your ductwork? No. Why Routine HVAC Duct Cleaning Isn’t Needed Unlike dryer duct cleaning which should be regularly checked and cleaned, no independent objective organization recommends HVAC duct cleaning as an essential part of routine HVAC system maintenance. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency states the “EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances....

Faux plants can do the same—minus the part about adding oxygen to their air. Decorators and home decor enthusiasts have battled over the benefits of real vs. fake for quite a while, and with the much higher quality of the modern faux plants, you might want to take a second look. Here are a few reasons faux is the way to go. The Obvious: No Maintenance Keeping up with real foliage and its particular watering and sun exposure needs is a job....

Climate and Geography Texas is the second-largest state in the United States, lagging only behind Alaska in the area. Stretching more than 800 miles from the northwestern corner of the Texas panhandle to the southernmost point along the Gulf of Mexico, this state offers a wide range of habitats with diverse geography and distinct climatic zones. The South Texas region includes San Antonio and all points south of the city, to the Rio Grande in the south and east to the Gulf Coast, including the barrier island chain....

When to Start Strawberries Because strawberries are perennials, the plants will come back each year. So taking the time to give them a good start will absolutely be worth it in the long run. Bareroot strawberries can be planted anytime after last spring frost, or in the fall before first expected frost to overwinter. But when you start strawberries from seed, you’ll want to keep them indoors in the early spring to help them along until the last frost has passed....

Over the last year, we’ve researched and tested the most popular washable rugs available online, evaluating quality, ease of care and cleaning, and value. Our top pick, the Ruggable Kamran Coral Rug, comes in 10 sizes, includes a rug pad, and can be thrown in the washing machine. Here are the best washable rugs to buy. This particular style from Ruggable has a Persian-inspired design with a large inner medallion and ornate border around the edges....