Invasive vs. Aggressive Plants The key characteristic of an invasive plant is that is not indigenous to the area in question. Indigenous plants that spread rapidly and overpower the competition tend to be referred to now by the experts as simply “aggressive,” “thuggish,” or “ill-behaved.” But confusion over terminology remains because “invasive” and “aggressive” are often interchangeable words. For example, some American gardeners will refer to sumac shrubs as “invasive” because they tend to spread, while others will point out that they are native to North America....

About Broods Bird broods vary just as much as the birds themselves, particularly in characteristics such as: Size: While the term brood is generally only applied to multiple chicks, bird broods can range from one to 15 or more eggs or chicks depending on the species. Precocial birds such as waterfowl and game birds generally have larger broods than passerines. Birds with very long chick care periods, such as albatrosses, raptors, and penguins, may have just one to two eggs per brood....

Paint edgers are rarely used by pros, who are generally quite skilled at cutting in the paint with a trim brush. But for many DIYers, edging work—the practice of bringing paint to the edge of ceilings, trim, or wall junctions while keeping it razor-sharp and avoiding drips—can be a nerve-wracking experience that is anything but fun. Paint edgers offer the tantalizing promise of crisp paint edges rendered with a neat tool without the need for painter’s tape....

Popular though they have been, incandescent light bulbs are very inefficient in their use of electricity, and they are gradually being phased out for environmental reasons. Recognizing that poor energy efficiency translates into greater greenhouse gas emissions, virtually all forward-thinking nations have initiated bans or gradual phase-outs of inefficient light bulbs, such as the incandescent design. Parts of an Incandescent Light Bulb The standard incandescent light bulb is a fairly simple device....

How Diatomaceous Earth Works Diatomaceous earth works by cutting the pest, causing it to dry up and die. It absorbs lipids from their waxy outer layers and causes them to dehydrate. In the case of slugs and snails, DE can be sprinkled on the ground and on plants they eat, and the sharp edges will cut them as they slide across the diatomaceous earth. It can be tough to kill slugs using it since the areas they occupy are often very moist....

Decide What You Need to Store Before you start looking for a storage facility to keep your things, you need to know what and how much stuff you will store. First, take a household inventory to decide what to store and what will move with you. Make a master list of inventory items. For large things, like furniture, take measurements of each item. Also, note the number of boxes and their sizes to ensure your storage space is large enough to hold everything you’re not moving....

Visit Nurseries You Trust If you drive by a nursery and see a sign that they’re having a sale, by all means, go in and look around. But if you’re looking for something specific it’s best to shop somewhere where you trust the vendor. “It’s such a bummer to buy a plant at a local plant sale only to find out weeks or months later when it blooms, it’s not the color or variety you were sold,” says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms....

Among the many services a landscape contractor may provide: Clear and grade the land Make sure that there is proper and adequate drainage on the property Build decks, patios, masonry walls, rock scapes, water features, paving, and other creative effects Install and manage irrigation systems Create interior landscapes and specialty gardens Install lighting for safety and aesthetics Select and plant everything from annuals and perennials to larger shrubs and trees Maintain a garden to be pesticide-free and lessen or get rid of the use of chemicals used in the landscape Audit water use to eliminate waste and reduce water usage in regions affected by drought...

Dry Soil Is an Indication the Plant is Under Stress When buying potted herbs (or any potted plant), consider the weight of the pot. The lighter the pot, the less water it contains. Avoid buying any pots that seem light for their size, or where the soil has shrunk smaller than the pot around it. If you see space between the soil and the pot, look for a better specimen. This is an indication that the plant is under stress and has not received proper water....

Fortunately, Drew Scott is here to help. We talked to the DIY aficionado, blogger at Lone Fox, and YouTuber with over one million followers, and he shared how he decides when to splurge and when to save on home decor. “While it was pretty costly to purchase all new panels, it made SUCH a difference,” Drew told us. “I opted for a thicker, light-blocking curtain that was a stunning linen material....

Here Are Some Places You Can Usually Find Borax The laundry aisle at grocery stores and big-box stores, such as Wal-Mart.Hardware storesInternational grocery storesFarm supply storesHealth food storesSwimming pool supply stores Be sure to look high and low on the shelf for it. That middle shelf space is usually reserved for the most popular detergents and laundry products, so you’ll have to look carefully to spot the borax. But as more and more people turn to making their own cleaners and using natural products, it’s becoming much easier to find....

There is a variety of ways to fill your life with plants that are little to no cost. Through cuttings, seeds, plant sales, plant rescuing, and other resourceful ways, a garden can look like paradise without breaking the bank. Here are 12 options for where to get cheap plants. There are many plant groups on social media with people willing to share cuttings. You also might be able to take a cutting from a plant you spot in your neighborhood that you’d like to try growing yourself....

For the last 10 years, I’ve had an artificial tree, but this year we opted for real. In a way, it was like going back to my roots. I grew up going to the Christmas tree farm with my family every year on the first weekend of December. We’d trudge through the snow, trying to spot the perfect tree, then chop it down with our bare hands (or at least, my dad would)....

In many cases, the crack is not the result of an inferior tile. In far more instances, the crack was caused by anomalies under or around the tile. Hairline cracks in tile may result from remote, obscure reasons such as improperly cured concrete or flexing underlayments and joists. Identifying the source of the tile crack is the first step toward repairing that crack or the tile itself. In kitchens, especially, where heavy objects such as cans, pots, and pans get dropped, ceramic tiles frequently break....

How to Mulch Mulching is best accomplished with a mulching mower, which is just like any other mower with a few modifications. Mulching kits are usually an option available to mowers at the time of purchase, but any mower can easily be retrofitted, as well. Special “mulching” blades with extra cutting surfaces are used in conjunction with added baffling underneath the mower. The output or chute is blocked to trap the clippings underneath the deck....

Even if you don’t have an entire room dedicated for a children’s play space, you can still create a playroom section in a den or a child’s bedroom. No matter the area you have, picking the right color can set the room’s tone and provide the perfect backdrop for creative minds at work and healthy child development. Color Family: Varies, runs the color spectrum Complementary Colors: Varies; purples complement yellows, greens complement pinks, and orange tones complemented bluesPairs Well With: NeutralsMood: Cheery, whimsical, energeticWhere to Use: Playroom, child’s bedroom, nursery, family den...

Bar carts don’t have to cost a fortune either. DIY wood bar carts can be a great choice and most can be built for less than $100. Check out these ten ideas for inspiration. Projected at $75 for all materials, all you need for this cart are moderate woodworking skills, a drill, a table saw, and a jig. All Wood Bar Cart from Nina Hendrick via Remodelaholic Outdoor Bar Cart Project from Table & Hearth via Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body Amazing enough, she used a wooden director’s chair....

Whether you’re into nautical or kitschy design or you want something a little more modern, we’ve rounded up some great ideas for your lake house decor.

Maybe it’s because farmhouse decor is pretty much the exact opposite of my very modern London flat, or maybe it’s my small-town Pennsylvania upbringing, but there’s something about it that always piques my interest. Naturally, we took this love to the experts to determine what makes farmhouse decor so special? If any of the below apply to you, then you might be low-key infatuated with farmhouse decor, too. 1. You Have a Thing for Textiles Even if your home isn’t necessarily farmhouse style, you can’t stop browsing beautiful, country-chic textiles....

“I can’t stand if guests say in a judgy way, ‘Oh, you have too many colors and patterns in your home.’ They make us happy, and that’s what’s important, right?!” — Ju De Paula of Blueberry Living & Co “I personally hate when my guests comment on how often I change the layout of my apartment.” — Anais Chaumien of Design by Anais “People say, ‘Wow you have a lot of plants everywhere....