It is impossible to finish your basement without first attacking and eradicating moisture, or at least reducing it. In terms of remodeling, nothing can happen before the moisture issue is addressed. Homebuyers may look askance at homes that have musty, damp basements. Moist basements might be acceptable for storage or for laundry rooms, but rarely for habitation. Basement moisture is one of those bedeviling problems that might seem impossible to fix....

Whatever species you are dealing with, roaches are not a pleasant discovery in your garage. Here’s how to battle them invading your home. 6 Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in the Garage Keeping roaches at bay is an ongoing process and even clean houses get roaches sometimes. You may bring roach eggs in on used clothing, cardboard boxes, paper bags, or even your shoes, so don’t kick yourself too hard if your garage develops a cockroach problem....

Tidy Daily If you’re putting off cleaning until the day of, Cohoon says don’t. There are things you can do now to help your future hosting self. “The best way to ensure a quick deep clean is to keep things as tidy as possible day-to-day," Cohoon tells The Spruce. “The holidays are hectic, so stick to a daily cleaning schedule. Doing a few chores per day will keep things as clean as possible during this busy season....

Though these desert plants produce delicate-looking blooms, they are quite hardy. Their dense root structures make them ideal candidates for erosion control. Their hardy nature makes them perfect for desert and rock gardens. They are rarely bothered by pests or disease, but deer and other wildlife love to nibble on these plants. Light Like most desert plants, the Calliandra eriophylla does best in bright sunshine. Plant these shrubs in full sun for the best results....

Amaranth are characterized by large, broad leaves with prominent veining. Each plant produces a single flower at the end of the tall reddish stem. Colors are usually burgundy, red, pink, or salmon. While amaranth plants are tall, they aren’t necessarily wide or bushy, so you can plant them 10 to 18 inches apart. The closer you plant them, the better they look once fully grown. At the same time, they need enough space to provide good air circulation....

Most garden artemisias are grown as foliage plants, valued for their filagree-like leaves and their tolerance for dry, sunny locations. Commonly known as artemesia, individual species also may be known as wormwood, absinthe, southernwood, and mugwort. Artemisias have alternate leaves in various shapes, often lobed and covered with whitish hairs that give them a silvery, grayish look. Their non-showy flowers, often clustered in panicles but sometimes single, are small (1/16 to 3/8 inches), white or yellow, and cylindrical....

Space plants at least 1 foot apart in the garden; they will gradually fill in and form clumps. If you wish, you can cut back the stems in the late spring to limit their height and promote thicker, bushier growth. Some gardeners cut down the stems in the fall after the foliage begins to depreciate, but the stems can also be left to provide winter interest and cut down in the spring before new growth starts....

It’s also a good idea to periodically wipe down the foliage with a damp cloth. Cleaning away any dust not only gives the leaves a brighter appearance, but it allows them to breathe fully. Light Too much direct sunlight can result in fading colors on the leaves of Ctenanthe setosa ‘Grey Star’. Provide the plant with a sheltered spot that gets bright but indirect sunlight to ensure the most dramatic foliage display....

Euphorbia is a somewhat confusing genus, with species and subgenera frequently added and deleted. The genus includes annual, perennial, and biennial species. You’ll find herbaceous plants and woody shrub species as well as both deciduous and evergreen species. The linking characteristic among the species is the presence of a milky white sap in the plants. The species of euphorbia grown for landscape use or as houseplants are mostly succulents, which feature fascinating shapes and foliage, but a few are known for their flowers....

All parts of this plant are mildly toxic to humans and to animals. The alkaloid compounds that cause nausea and vomiting in people and animals may also be responsible for making this plant unpalatable to insects and thus a relatively trouble-free garden plant. Accidental ingestion by humans is often attributed to the fact that the young stems look much like asparagus as they emerge in the spring. However, the toxicity is mild enough that not all official lists bother to include the plant on their registers of dangerous plants....

Like most pothos, the glacier pothos makes for an excellent houseplant and is considered to be pretty hardy and low-maintenance. It does well in most standard household conditions and can withstand a bit of neglect if needed. Plus this versatile plant looks great in hanging baskets, tabletop planters, or trailing down from a wall shelf. However, before you race out to your nearest nursery to grab one of these pretty houseplants, you should be aware that as with all pothos plants the glacier pothos is considered toxic to pets....

Plan to water your hydrangeas regularly to keep them consistently moist, especially in hot and dry weather and fertilize them once in the spring. The right time to prune a hydrangea varies according to the hydrangea species and the time of year when they set buds. Light Too much shade can reduce flower output. Hydrangeas do well in the partial shade provided by tall deciduous trees, especially if they receive morning sun and the partial shade occurs in the heat of the afternoon....

Plant seeds in their permanent outdoor space in late winter or early spring. Though these very slow-growing plants germinate from seed fast, they can take a while to bloom, and usually start in late spring into early summer. Light Despite living in subarctic regions and liking cooler temperatures, Arctic poppies prefer plenty of sunshine. However, they can be grown in partial shade. Soil Arctic poppies thrive in rich, well-draining soil....

There are more than 60 species in the Kniphofia genus, and most varieties available today are hybrids. Among the most popular are the dwarf cultivars that have clumping foliage reaching one to two feet high and flower stalks that stand over two feet tall. By comparison, one common species, Kniphofia uvaria, reaches 3 to 4 feet in height. Being rhizomatous, red hot pokers can be aggressive growers in favorable conditions; they are even considered invasive in some areas....

Rockrose is best planted in the early spring. In the early spring and summer, each flower only blooms for a couple of hours before dropping and making way for the next group of flowers. This short bloom is a distinctive characteristic of the rockrose genus. Light Plant rockrose shrubs in a location that receives full sun for several hours a day. They will not survive in shady locations. Soil Rockrose plants grow well in poor-quality rocky soils as long as they are well-draining....

Red, slipper-shaped flowers grow to about one inch long and are the star of this all-around unique plant. The interesting blooms are where this plant gets its common name: slipper plant. Not only is this plant an eye-catching plant to observers, but it also attracts hummingbirds. Their low watering needs make them perfect for xeriscaping or desert gardens. The slipper plant also grows well in containers. They do not often have problems with pests or diseases....

Regular feeding and watering will reward you with a large vine blanketed with white flowers by early fall. After flowering is complete, the vine should be rigorously pruned to limit the self-seeding that can lead to the invasive spread of the plant. Light Plant sweet autumn clematis in full sun for best flowering. However, these vines can tolerate a considerable amount of shade—unlike most other clematis species—if you are willing to put up with some reduced flowering....

This is a versatile plant, often used as a filler in hanging baskets, in and around ponds and water gardens, and in aquariums. Water hyssop also is an herb listed in Ayurvedic practice. As is often the case for such vigorous plants, water hyssop has few, if any, serious pest or disease issues. Light This plant does well in full sun or partially shaded areas. Positioning water hyssop in a sunnier location will encourage fuller growth....

How to Grow Basil Indoors Basil is a uniquely rewarding plant to grow—it’s relatively pest and disease-free and is delicious in both fragrance and taste. Basil’s taste will change throughout its life cycle, becoming stronger as the plant flowers—basil that has flowered can still be eaten, but it may be a bit bitter. The herb responds well to pruning and topping, so feel free to use leaves as soon as the plant is established and has branched out....

Whether you are starting your first garden or looking for tips to make what you have just a little better, let’s take a look at the essential gardening tips you need to know. This summer may just be your best harvest yet. Choosing What and How Much to Plant Everyone has their favorite fruits and vegetables. Your family may enjoy tomatoes and shy away from eggplant. Maybe you’d like to add more beans to your diet or want to try a new variety of squash this year....