When planting, dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the root ball and six inches deeper than the height of the root ball. If your soil is heavy clay or sand, amend it with a planting mix or compost. Water the new plant well and place a two-inch layer of organic mulch around it, but be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the base of the plant to prevent rot....
These shrubs don’t typically have many pest or disease problems, especially when they’re grown in an environment they like. You might occasionally see aphids or mites on the foliage, which often can be mitigated with a strong blast of water from the hose. Expect to water and feed your shrub regularly, and prune to maintain its shape. Light Tree hydrangeas grow well in full sun to partial shade, meaning at least four hours of direct sunlight on most days....
Benefits of Hanging Feeders Not only is hanging a bird feeder a fast and easy way to add another food source to the garden or yard, but a hanging feeder has several benefits that both backyard birds and birders can enjoy. Ready-Made Design: Because most feeders are already designed to be hung, extra attachments or hardware is not usually required to hang the feeder. A simple hook or a length of twine, rope, chain, or cord is all that is typically needed to hang a new bird feeder instantly....
You only need a few simple supplies—a line, clothespins, and possibly posts—the air will do the rest. In most regions of the United States, you can hang clothes outdoors in fair weather from spring through fall. On cold or rainy days, you can even rig up a clothesline indoors. Learn tips and techniques for hanging clothes on a clothesline while reducing wrinkles and maintaining the colors and shapes of your laundry....
Risks of Hiring off the Street Consider the classic day laborer scenario of a group of men standing outside of a strip mall or home improvement store, waiting for a potential employer to drive by. It is usually illegal for day laborers to congregate in these areas. As a homeowner and would-be employer, you run the risk of hiring a day laborer who is, at best, an unskilled or unenthusiastic worker; at worst, this laborer may pilfer from you or cause personal harm or property damage (though risks are low)....
Boxelder seeds are toxic to horses, so it’s not a tree that is safe to grow in pasture areas. Suckers appear just about anywhere, often in hard-to-reach or inconvenient locations such as near the foundation of a house or a septic system. If not controlled, boxelder chokes out other, more valuable native species. Therefore any suckers and volunteer saplings that have spread via seed dispersion should be removed promptly. Even after a boxelder has been cut down, it can resprout from the stem for many years, which adds to its invasive character....
Choose Authenticity San Francisco-based designer Noz Nozawa urges those who appreciate Japanese style decor to source authentic items made by Japanese creators. “If a person appreciates Japanese culture, I love to suggest incorporating Japanese decor that was made in Japan, or by artists and makers who have an ancestral or residential connection to Japan,” she says. “If you get to visit Japan, finding objects while traveling is my favorite way to bring back memories that I have a personal connection with....
Add This Touch to Your Sofa If you purchased a neutral sofa within the past year, you’re most definitely not alone! Designer Julia Miller notes that these pieces had a major moment in 2021. But because sofas are generally investment pieces that we purchase for the long haul, no one is going to be replacing theirs every year. In order to make those neutral cushions pop while taking part in next year’s trends, Miller offers a suggestion....
To keep bees away from your pool, you’ll need to learn a little bit about what makes the bees tick. Why are there always bees around your pool? How do you keep them away so you can enjoy a sting-free summer? What Do Bees in the Pool Look Like? Bees prefer to land next to a water source and drink from the edge with their feet securely planted somewhere solid....
Wintering herbs indoors only requires a few simple transitioning steps and a sunny window or plant grow light. With the proper care, you’ll be able to keep enjoying your herbs during even the coldest months of the year. Learn how to overwinter garden herbs indoors in this easy guide. Preparation Before bringing your precious plants inside for the winter, determine which herbs can thrive after transplanting. Some herbs acclimate better to indoor environments than others: It’s best to learn the temperature range for each species and plan to bring in any perennials that won’t survive freezing conditions....
So what makes summer such a laundry bummer? The sheer amount of varied activities is a huge reason for the added loads. If you have children, they are likely going swimming in addition to extra time out of doors. They are likely going through several changes of clothing daily. And it is entirely likely that each outfit is ending up in a different spot. Maybe a swimsuit left on the bathroom floor, play clothes on the bed, towels on the couch....
Here are a few tips for helping plants through a hot, dry spell and keep them healthy and productive. Vegetable Gardens Vegetables need a reliable, steady water supply to stay productive. However, even with careful watering, your veggies may suffer from heat stress. The most common signs of heat stress in vegetables are sunburned foliage and fruits (usually yellow and crisp to the touch), blossom and fruit drop, and wilting....
