Part of the mint family, bee balm has a square stem and quick-spreading underground rhizomes. Both the flower and the foliage are aromatic and often used in herbal medicine, teas, and in culinary applications. It is a quick grower and spreader and can be planted in the spring or fall. Bee balms can be planted in the fall or spring. If planting in the fall, it is best to trim the bee balm down to a couple of inches in height....

Local beekeeping associations are a great place to start asking around for bees. And you’ll want to decide whether package bees, nucs, catching a swarm, or buying an already-started hive is the right choice for you. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The other is a top-bar hive, where the bees’ frames are arranged horizontally, not vertically. The bees make comb without foundation in this system. Each bar, containing comb and honey, is pulled up out of the hive from the top....

Benjamin Moore has teamed up with celebrity aura reader, Mystic Michaela, on a curated selection of colors that allow people to explore and express their energy through paint. The partnership is in addition to the re-launch of their aptly named AURA line of pants, now with a new formula. “Choosing paint colors can be a difficult task, but for those looking to reflect a bit of themselves in their spaces, starting with inspiration from their personal auras is a great way to start,” said Alyssa Scagnelli Figiel, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Benjamin Moore....

The best way to remove paint from wood furniture is the one that balances your desire for fully stripped furniture with your patience and tolerance for chemicals and scraping. Stripping paint from wood furniture is never easy because it’s usually full of nooks and crannies, not to mention fine details that you don’t want to muddle. But with a smart multi-pronged attack using the correct tools and materials, you will have beautiful wood furniture to be proud of....

Identifying Characteristics When one of these colorful hummingbirds comes calling, observing the bird carefully can reveal small markings that can help positively identify the species. When identifying broad-tailed and ruby-throated hummingbirds, watch for these traits: Size While all hummingbirds are small, there is a distinct size difference between these two species. Broad-tailed hummingbirds are typically 4-4.25 inches in length, while ruby-throated hummingbirds are smaller and only measure 3.5-3.75 inches long. The overall impression of the bird as a “large” or “small” hummingbird can help separate these two species, or it is possible to judge the bird’s size by nearby known objects, such as the size of a hummingbird feeder or the flower blooms the birds visit....

However, before you get your heart set on obtaining one, we hate to be the bearer of bad news: it’s nearly impossible to find an actual plant for purchase. Light The bunny ear cactus requires consistent bright, direct sunlight and when grown as a houseplant, it should be placed in the sunniest spot in your home. Ideally, this cactus should receive between six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day....

Some years ago, some dish soaps also contained phosphates that assisted in cleaning but posed an environmental hazard. Phosphates can reach lakes and streams, where they encourage algae blooms that reduce water oxygen levels. Today, most dish soaps omit these phosphates. Some dish soaps also contain triclosan, an antibacterial substance that may create problems by hindering the microbial breakdown of wastes at wastewater treatment facilities. Whatever you are using dish soap for, it is a good idea to check product labels to make sure it does not contain either phosphates or triclosan....

Washcloth Size Washcloths are the smallest of all the towels on the market. They are square-shaped towels that are typically 12"x12" or 13"x13" in size and are perfect for everyday face and body cleansing. They’re soft enough so that they don’t scratch your skin, but they have enough texture to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. Because they are meant to be used daily and come into contact with your face, keeping washcloths clean is particularly important....

If you have ever had a small kitchen, you might form your idea of a compact kitchen unit on that notion. Often based around a galley or an L-shaped plan, most small conventional kitchens have one or two counters, a stove, oven, and a sink, all shrunk to a small footprint. Borrowing from that basic idea, a compact kitchen unit is even smaller than that and is structured in a unique way so that all services work together....

This meadow flower is traditionally found growing in the American prairies. It’s not found as commonly in the wild these days because of the increasing loss of natural prairie habitat. The plant gets its name from the fact that its lobed leaves tend to point in a north-south direction. This would have helped it maximize the sun and water intake it got in the semi-arid, sometimes harsh prairie environment. Easy to grow and competition resistant, the Compass Plant could be a great addition to your garden, providing you can offer it enough sunlight....

Effects of Flooding If your soil is waterlogged, chances are good your plants are showing signs of stress or soon will be, because flooded soils contain insufficient amounts of oxygen. This means that plant roots cannot take up and release water or release excess carbon dioxide, which they must do to survive. Plants may paradoxically look like they are wilting, but it is not because of too little water, it is because they can no longer access the available water....

The thick, wide leaves on this plant are smoother than the more typically serrated or spined varieties typically found on aloe species. Flowering in the late winter and early spring months, the eye-catching coral red blooming inflorescences bring color to a garden when it’s needed the most. The nectar from the blooms is attractive to hungry insects and hummingbirds during a season when food can be scarce. It forms in clumps and usually won’t grow higher than three feet in height....

From a deep, homey brown exterior, as seen in this home pictured by daniellonergan, to more bright and colorful options, there are many wonderful color choices for a Craftsman home.

Not only do barn doors look great, but they’re also a great way to save space in a smaller room. Since they slide open instead of swing open, you don’t have to save space for the door to open. There are all different styles of DIY barn doors here, including the traditional rustic look, fresh and simple white doors, and even modern barn doors if you’re looking for something a bit different....

There’s a general seed planting rule that says you should plant a seed to a depth that is three times its thickness. That means fat bean seeds should be planted one to three inches deep and tiny carrot seeds should barely be covered. Most seed packets will take the guesswork out of the process and tell you how deep to plant the seeds. It’s a good idea to follow these recommendations because a seed that is planted too deeply might not have enough stored energy to push itself above the soil line....

While you could just choose any variety, sow the seeds early, and plant it out as soon as possible (with plenty of protection from frost), you have a better chance of getting a decent crop by growing a variety of tomato that was bred for cooler weather. Many of the tomatoes listed below, as you’ll see, were developed in colder climates: Canada, Russia, former Czechoslovakia. These can withstand cooler temperatures in spring, without affecting how long it takes to harvest....

Here are the household products you can use individually as a detergent alternative. Or try our recipe for a DIY dishwasher detergent. Products Never to Use in an Automatic Dishwasher Unless you want a flood of bubbles cascading over your kitchen floor, skip the following products: Dishwashing liquid Liquid, powdered, or single-dose laundry detergent Body wash Shampoo Household all-purpose cleaners Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes You can make your own dishwasher detergent for daily use or to keep on hand for emergencies....

Pianos are heavy and awkward and they are quite valuable; never mind the injuries you can cause to your home and your back. If you’re determined to move the piano yourself, then here are some helpful tips to make sure it’s done safely. Ask for Help Remember, pianos are not only heavy, but they’re also awkward. Uprights carry all their weight in the top half, and their legs and feet can be fragile, so you’re going to need a few extra hands to help....