Stay Off the Lawn During a Drought Beyond “training” a lawn to survive with less water, there are management techniques you can use to help the lawn during times of drought. Not surprisingly, staying off the lawn is the biggest help. Drought conditions are extremely stressful to a lawn so avoiding further stress is key. Hold off on projects like aerating and detaching so the plant retains all the moisture that it can....
Remember, though, that local rules may vary from the national guidelines set forth by the NEC and NESC. They often have stricter guidelines than the national rules. Where discrepancies exist, the local rules always take precedence over the national codes. Contacting your local building inspections office is the best way to determine the rules for your community. Clearance Guidelines Power Lines Above Pedestrian Sidewalks and Walkways For power lines above areas used only by pedestrians, including sidewalks, decks, and patios, the minimum vertical clearance of wires above the ground is generally 14....
Stores shelves now have replacement bulbs that say “60-watt equivalent.” And the upfront price of these newer bulbs is substantially more than (some cases 10 times) the price of the familiar 60-watt incandescent bulb. The United States and other countries around the world are phasing out incandescent light bulbs. The bulb that Thomas Edison gave to the world was a marvel of its time, however, now there are more efficient, longer-lasting bulbs that conserve energy in your home and that can shine brighter than ever....
In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are highlighting AAPI owned businesses in the month of May to share their voices and recognize their influence on the Asian community. Five years ago Lisa Li took a trip to Yunnan, China with her mother, where they came across a charming little tea shop and enjoyed a freshly brewed cup of rose tea. The sensory experience not only transported Li to a serene secret garden in her mind, it reminded her of the nourishing and healing moments she would share with her grandmother during tea time as well....
Miniature roses have been in cultivation since the 17th century, but most originated as genetic mutations of old garden roses or China roses, which are native to Asia. They maintain many of the same core characteristics and also do best if planted in spring. Miniature roses grow moderately quickly and work well in a border or as garden edging. They’re also especially nice as specimen plants in containers, where they can be brought closer to eye level and truly be seen and appreciated....
Moss plants are classified as Bryophyta, making them distinct from most vegetation you will find in your yard. They develop spores rather than seeds for reproduction, and they do not possess true roots, instead deriving their nutrients and moisture from the air. Because they are low-growing and can form dense mats, these shade plants can be considered an alternative ground cover for landscaping and planted as “shade gardens,” in lieu of traditional (that is, grass) lawns....
Make a List Write everything down; you will thank yourself later. Before you pack even one box, create a simple record-keeping system. Create a numbered list that specifically names the contents in each numbered box. You can designate a spiral-bound notebook for the job or generate the list on a computer. Make sure you put a number on every box you pack. When describing the box contents, be specific—“A-D files” is better than “files” and “tulip dishes” rather than “kitchen....
When I was little, I spent hours playing with paper dolls. I loved to switch out the little outfits, but the intricate cutting and tab-bending required of my then very small hands was frustrating. The Melissa & Doug Nina Ballerina Magnetic Dress-Up Set eliminates that hurdle and lets tiny fingers focus on the fun part. I enlisted my friend’s adorable 3-year-old daughter to give this toy a whirl. Would it be easy enough for toddler play?...
At its heart, a Christmas tree is both the centerpiece of holiday decor and a blank canvas for the lights, tinsel, and trimmings that embellish it. Because it’s especially difficult to tell if that artificial tree online will look the same in your house, we put the Norway Green Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree to the test, evaluating everything from the setup process to the tip count. Read on to find out what we discovered....
Northerners can also treat November as a time to evaluate their garden layout. After the cold weather lays everything bare, you can more clearly see the architecture or “bones” of the garden. This is a great time to record critiques of your garden in a garden journal so that for next year, you can plan to add hardscape or evergreen shrubs to improve the architecture. Perform these November garden tasks according to region....
What OSB Is OSB is short for oriented strand board. OSB is a synthetic wood product made from chipped wood. Up to 50 layers of strands are compressed under high pressure to form OSB. From the side, OSB has the appearance of giant cornflakes pressed together to form structural panels in sizes similar to plywood, such as 4-foot by 8-foot. From the front or back, OSB is flat and sometimes has a waxy feeling on one or both sides....
As much as we love snuggling up underneath a comforter, they can often be a pain. Many need to be dressed in a duvet cover, which makes always seems to make us break a sweat. Other comforters are only appropriate for one season, either too heavy for the steamy days of summer or too lightweight for the chilly months. But, in comes Parachute’s new Organic Cotton Puff Comforter that can solve all our bedding problems....
If you have a well-established evergreen and everything dies under it or you find yourself constantly reseeding your yard, it can become a costly proposition every year. You may be somewhat limited in your planting choices, but there are some plants that will get the job done. What Is the Problem? Planting under evergreen trees such as eastern white pines is challenging. It is largely a myth that this is due to soil acidity....
Throws like the Pottery Barn Faux Alpaca Throw add color and texture to a room. A throw’s smaller size may not fit over your bed, but it should at least cover your lap for added warmth on a cold day. They also need to be durable for daily use. A throw that pills, tears, or mats won’t do you much good. Throws may be purely decorative but should still be easy to clean in case of accidental spills....
Pronunciation RAP-ter(rhymes with chapter, captor, and “tapped her”) Raptor Facts The Latin word “raptor” means “to seize or capture” and describes how these birds hunt with their large, strong talons and sharply hooked bills. But there is more to raptors than just their hunting style. Many characteristics make raptors unique, including: Larger Size: The sizes of these birds can vary greatly, but they are generally larger and bulkier than most other birds, which allows them to hunt a greater variety of prey....
If your household goods need to be put into storage between moving out and moving into your new home, your moving company can provide storage options. Ask your movers and have them prepare a quote. Even if it costs a little more to use their service, it may be worth the extra amount for the convenience of having the movers deliver your items directly from your home to the storage facility....
For some, splurging on bedding is a no-brainer. And it’s understandable, the bedroom is arguably one of the most important rooms in the home. It’s a place where, on average, many people spend roughly 26 years of their lives sleeping, and supposedly, some even spend about seven years just trying to fall asleep. So, by creating a more comfy bed, you just might be able to get back some of those lost years spent tossing and turning, or, at the very least, catch a few more z’s....
