The terms used to describe sunlight requirements quickly become familiar to anyone who works with plants: Full sun Full sun to partial shade Partial shade (or part shade) Dappled sun/shade Full shade Determining Sunlight Exposure in Your Yard Because it is a relatively easy matter to choose plants based on the specifications shown on labels, the real challenge becomes in determining exactly how much sunlight your yard receives. This can be more difficult than you think....

Many people use both “shrubs” and “bushes” to describe the same plants. Are they wrong? Overall, it’s really just a matter of personal preference and regional language. Shrubs vs. Bushes in Horticulture In classic horticulture, a bush usually refers more to the shape something makes than the type of plant it is. For example, when describing a plant, you might say it “forms a bush” (as opposed to being tree-like or growing straight up)....

Learn about the pros and cons of clover lawns, and how to establish one in your yard. Benefits of a Clover Lawn Clover lawns have numerous benefits, including infrequent mowing, minimal watering, no fertilization needs, and reducing the use of herbicides and pesticides. Clover also attracts pollinators, is pet-friendly, and helps with erosion control. Infrequent Mowing Unlike a conventional turfgrass lawn, a clover lawn only needs to be mowed a couple of times a year, as it only grows 2 to 8 inches tall....

So offering comforting words for the loss of a pet can be a huge help. What to say when someone loses a pet should ultimately be individualized for the situation. For instance, you can share some sweet experiences you had with that pet if possible. The most important thing to remember is to be sensitive, sympathetic, and understanding. Remember that there are stages of grief even for pet loss, and the impact of the loss might not happen right away....

Speaking of personalities, we know that zodiac signs also tend to say quite a bit about your personality. Your sign can have more of an influence over your tastes more than you realize, and we bet we can tell you what your house looks like right now based on your zodiac. Aquarius (January 20 to February 18) Your place is chaotic and messy, and relatively bare-boned. You have the necessities, but they are things you’ve acquired from friends and family, or the local thrift store....

Start with a project you can easily complete, such as organizing a junk drawer. Then, move on to a hall closet or a storage area in your basement. Divide large storage spaces into smaller zones, so the organization task doesn’t feel so daunting. And if necessary, invest in organizational systems, such as a closet organizer or storage bins, so everything has a place that will be easily accessible. Within these areas, plan to declutter and find a designated home for all of the items that live there....

“Throw pillows are such a fun way to accent a room,” says Decorist designer Katy Byrne. “They’re a great source for color and holiday decorating. With that said, they are easy to over-accumulate!” We asked for a few experts to weigh in with their suggestions on where to store our excess pillows when not in use, and we were thrilled to find that there are a variety of solutions we’d never really considered....

Your plant’s leaves may be turning brown due to insufficient light, too much or too little water, pests and diseases, or even factors like the amount of fertilizer in its soil. Most often, brown leaves are caused by improper water and sunlight for the plant’s needs. Luckily, you can typically bring green leaves back to your favorite houseplant with a few changes to its care routine. Know Your Houseplant Imagine buying a dog without knowing that it needs dog food, plenty of water, exercise, and affection to thrive....

The Fall Needle Drop Fall needle drop refers to the tendency of evergreens to shed some of their older inner needles usually at the end of summer and into fall. It is triggered by weather and other factors of the growing season, much like plant dormancy when plants go into a sort of hibernation to wait out the cold winter months. Sometimes the needle drop occurs slowly over several months, making it barely noticeable....

Such friable soil is usually termed a “loam.” Clay soil (one of the three basic types of soil) can be problematic because it is not friable. When you scoop up a handful of friable soil and squeeze it, it is malleable enough for you to form a clump, unlike an overly sandy soil, which does not allow you to shape it. Unlike clay, a clump of friable soil easily disintegrates when you try to break it apart....

Perennials, Annuals, and Shrubs Whenever you plant a perennial, annual, or shrub, you need to know what the crown of the plant is and how to handle it properly so the plant is healthy. Whether they are planted in the ground or in a container, most plants are planted so that the crown is right at soil level. Burying the crown lower than soil level can often lead to crown rot and the eventual death of the plant, depending on the species....

In a second-story living space tucked beneath sloped rooflines, the presence of skylights may spell the difference between a bright, friendly space and a murky cave. In a home built between closely adjoining neighboring houses, skylights may be the best solution for introducing good natural light into rooms. In a one-story house built with an open-concept floor plan, skylight shafts can bring much needed natural light into the center of large spaces....

Why Copper? What makes copper so perfect for fall and winter? As Ted Bradley tells us, “The rich, reddish tones in copper are sure to warm your home as the temperatures drop.” Leia T. Ward of LTW Design agrees. “Copper is the perfect metal for the fall because of its warm amber tones,” she says. “As we begin to settle into winter and pull out our comfy throws, we are in search of pieces that make our homes feel cozy....

Why Backyards Matter to Winter Birds In winter, deep snow and ice can bury foods just when birds need more calories to keep warm through bitter cold. At the same time, water is locked into frozen ice, so birds cannot easily drink. Dropping temperatures can make birds slower and more vulnerable to illness or predators, and fallen leaves offer less protection to keep winter birds safe. Fortunately, a bird-friendly yard can provide for all of a bird’s needs even during the coldest months....

While your hallway may feel like an afterthought, putting effort into its look and feel will help your home become more cohesive and finished, and tie together a well-decorated space. These paint color ideas will help you achieve that. Overview Color Family: VariousComplementary Colors: VariousPairs Well With: VariousMood: Calming, elegant, cozyWhere to Use: Hallways Below, you’ll find the the 10 best hallway paint colors.

But, as mentioned, it’s easy for things to feel repetitive after a while and to fall into the same patterns when using them to decorate. If every neutral room is beginning to look the same to your eyes, you wouldn’t be the first to think so. The key is finding design ideas that involve neutrals but express them in a fresh way. If you love what neutrals can do for a space and are set on having them throughout your home, there are plenty of options that won’t feel redundant or blah....

Here is how to paint your own house, all the while keeping your sanity intact and delivering good work in the process. Each Side of the House Is a Project Unto Itself Do not think: I’m going to paint the entire house now. Instead think: I am going to paint this one side of the house now. Consider one side of the house a project and ignore the other sides for now....

Prepare the Site As with any perennial crop, starting with a weed-free site will save you a lot of time and effort down the line. Perennial vegetables will be growing in the same spot for many years, and you only get one chance to start them off right. Once the weeds are gone, spread a 2 - 3-inch layer of compost on the bed. You can work it into the top layer of soil, but it’s not necessary....

Need an intervention? Step away from the sample cards! These popular nursery paint colors offer a no-fuss, no-fail solution to all your nursery color problems. Whether you’re tickled by pink, pondering neutrals, or digging something a little more dramatic, we’ve got your next color crush right here. Overview Color Family: Varies. Mostly soft, subtle pastels and neutrals but some bold hues.Complementary Colors: VariesPairs Well With: Varies. Many pair well with white accents and other neutrals....