What Is Topsoil? Before searching, remember that topsoil and fill dirt are different and each should be used for specific reasons. Both are used for filling in large areas where soil is needed. But choosing the right dirt could be important for your project. Topsoil is just that—the top layer of soil in a garden or landscape. It’s a rich mixture of minerals and organic matter that’s vital for growing plants, flowers, and vegetable gardens....

Here are some first anniversary ideas and symbols to help you choose gifts or a way to celebrate your first year of marriage. Tradition The first year of marriage is extraordinary because you have come to accept many transitions and have settled into new roles and responsibilities in the span of one year. The origin behind celebrating wedding anniversaries is a little unclear—some sources say the tradition started in ancient Rome and others claim the tradition began in medieval Germany....

Flightless birds are found throughout the world. The largest concentration of flightless birds is in New Zealand. Until humans arrived roughly 1,000 years ago in New Zealand, there were no large land predators in the region. Due to a lack of predators and the region’s diverse habitat and rich ecosystem, the birds from that isolated area no longer needed flight to survive. However, time seems to be catching up to some flightless birds....

The focal point of the Donnell landscape design is a sculpture by Adaline Kent, which serves as an island in the center of the kidney-shaped pool. Dive in and take a tour of the many designs of kidney-shaped pools. Although not a true kidney-shaped pool, this freeform-style swimming pool was a sensation when it was designed for the Donnell family in 1948. Featured in home and design magazines and books, the pool was designed by noted landscape architect Thomas Church, along with landscape architect Lawrence Halprin....

The Existence of Property Taxes Property taxes will vary across the country and will depend on your home size, but they should certainly be kept top of mind during your search process. “Consider property taxes as part of your budget when you’re looking at homes and decide how much you want to spend on them,” New Jersey resident Callie Bunin says. You’ll want to continue to factor these costs into your budget post-move in, too, of course....

Grout is like a reputation—we’ve all got it, and nobody wants to see it stained. In order to keep up appearances, kitchen and bathroom grout require regular and meticulous attention. We searched out some of the top-rated grout cleaners on the market and tested them to see which were up for a challenge and which left something to be desired. We tested for effectiveness, safety, and ease of use, and in the end, found that shower scrubbing needn’t be the unconquerable titan of your chore list....

Choose a Giant Sunflower Variety Gardeners that rely on open-pollinated seeds and heirloom varieties can choose from ‘Mammoth,’ ‘Titan,’ or ‘California Greystripe’ sunflower seeds. If you’re looking for organic seeds, you are more likely to find these old-fashioned choices for sale. Although you probably won’t break any records with the heirloom types, they produce delicious seeds for snacking and bird feeders, and you can coax at least 12 feet of height from one of these plants....

These palm trees remain fairly small—mature specimens rarely reach over six feet—they are relatively slow-growing, and they are tough enough to stand up to many indoor environments. Pygmy date palms are commonly grown with three seedlings to the same pot, so they look like multi-trunk palms, with three arching stems ending in graceful, feathery fronds. Perhaps, the greatest recommendation against growing pygmy date palms indoors is their wicked spines. Their stems and leaf ribs are typically covered with long, very sharp and strong spines that can easily cause a nasty puncture....

In so many categories, fiber-cement might prove to be a better choice if not for one thing: the vast gap between the cost of fiber-cement and vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is a lower-cost choice for so many homes, plus it has a few other qualities that just might put it on an equal footing with fiber-cement siding. Siding Thickness Fiber-Cement Siding HardiePlank is significantly thicker than vinyl siding. Just like real wood lap siding, HardiePlank is thick....

Insulating your pipes is essential and will prevent pipes from freezing in many situations. But it is not always enough during prolonged cold spells or when temperatures plummet into the sub-zero range. This is where heat tape—both the self-regulating and thermostat-controlled varieties—comes in to provide supplemental warmth as needed. Self-Regulating Heat Tape Self-regulating heat tape can be cut to any length for a custom fit, or it can be purchased in kit form in a variety of lengths....

Easily propagated by seed or a cutting, holy basil is grown as an annual in most of the United States, but it will grow as a perennial in warmer climates and can even do well as an indoor plant in the right conditions. Even those who have no interest in its medicinal and culinary uses plant this lovely herb for its attractive foliage, flowers, and alluring aroma. Whether growing holy basil for medicinal, spiritual, culinary, or aesthetic purposes, this herb will be a beautiful and satisfying addition to your garden or your houseplant collection....

Phase 1: Clean It Out Gill, who has two children, says her method actually starts soon after school lets out for summer. She does what she calls a “big sweep declutter” from the just-ended school year, inspecting her kids’ backpacks, school uniforms, lunch boxes and thermoses for wear and tear and usability. This is a good time to throw away all of the papers and miscellaneous clutter in kids’ backpacks and to identify books that might need to be returned to the library....

Why Birds Take Dust Baths Dust baths, also called dusting, dirt baths, or sand bathing, are part of a bird’s preening and plumage maintenance that keeps feathers in top condition. The dust that is worked into the bird’s feathers will absorb excess oil to help keep the feathers from becoming greasy or matted. The oil-soaked dust is then shed easily to keep the feathers clean and flexible for more aerodynamic flight and efficient insulation....

Over the past few years, the world has seen a new sort of ‘baby boom.’ Whether caused by the amount of time we’ve been spending at home, a generational shift in priorities, or simply millennials shifting into the home-buying stage, family-building has grown significantly. In the world of home design, a new baby means changing how the home looks and operates, where different items go, and how new parents (and guests) spend their time....

Why We Love Goldfinches There are four species of goldfinch in the world, all of which are sought after as backyard guests. American goldfinch (found in North America, primarily in Canada and the United States)Lesser goldfinch (range encompasses the southwestern United States into South America)Lawrence’s goldfinch (restricted range in California, Baja California, and western Arizona)European goldfinch (widespread in Europe, the Middle East, and southern Australia) Despite their widespread ranges, goldfinches are all small but feisty birds that are year-round residents in much of their territory, though some populations are migratory....

But many spend countless hours in the home kitchen, garage or workshop while baking, cooking, or tinkering. And this can put the same undue stress on your feet and body, as it does for the industrial worker. If you have very hard surface floors like ceramic tile, even standing for one hour can be grueling. The solution is a properly suited and well-designed anti-fatigue mat that can reduce foot stress and related back and knee problems....

Common Symbols Traditional: Pearl. The pearl is symbolic of beauty and long life. Contemporary: Diamond. Diamonds are a symbol of faithfulness and promise. Color: Green. This color symbolizes growth and renewal. Flower: Lily. The lily is a symbol of devotion and rebirth. 30th Anniversary Gifts Anniversary lists usually have a traditional, modern, and gemstone option. For example, the fifth anniversary includes wood, silverware, and sapphire. However, since thirty is such a milestone year, both symbols are gemstones: pearl and diamond....