There are many awesome toys on the market that help teach kids to code, but most of them involve more screen time, which I’ve been trying to limit with my 8-year-old daughter. Still, I want her to learn as much about STEM concepts as possible, so I was excited when I heard that Botley the Coding Robot is a robot that kids can program with a simple remote—no tablet or phone screen required....

The versatile herb is a rapid grower outdoors—after planting in early spring, it’s not unusual to see a lemon balm plant grow to over a foot tall (sometimes, even two!) in just a single season. For that reason, many gardeners choose to plant lemon balm in containers, whether grown indoors or out, in an attempt to control its invasive nature. Like many other herbs, lemon balm prospers best outdoors but can be grown successfully inside as well, as long as proper attention is paid to its unique needs....

The tree gets its name because the species is an evergreen oak which is often confusing. After all, a few evergreen oaks are called “live oaks.” Because of this, it is most often called southern live oak or, better yet, its botanical name. If you consider growing this beautiful giant, realize that its hardiness zone is tiny, you will need plenty of space for your tree to grow into, both height and width-wise, and the pruning required to help it get established can be a chore....

Owner Beth Diana Smith, CEO and Principal Designer of her eponymous design firm, Beth Diana Smith Interior Design. Location Irvington, New Jersey …at least for the time being. “My current home was only supposed to be my starter home, but with renovations I got comfortable so I’m still here, for now.” Beth bought the 1200 sq ft townhouse when she was only 22 years old, mostly because the new-build townhouse ticked a few important boxes....

A humidifier can add some much-needed moisture to a dry room. It can also help to relieve dry skin, allergies, and other respiratory problems. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to reap the benefits of better air quality. The Magictec Cool Mist Humidifier is an affordably priced unit that offers portability and functionality. Although it lacks the advanced technology that you’ll find on more expensive models, this humidifier has some standout features, including a 24-hour runtime and a 360-degree mist angle....

Southern (M. grandiflora) Star (M. stellata) Saucer (M. soulangiana) Jane (hybrid) Not every question can be fully answered without visiting the specific type of magnolia in its garden. However, these questions will help direct you in keeping your magnolia healthy and blooming profusely. Common Magnolia Problems & Solutions Q. The Flower Buds on My Magnolia Tree Aren’t Opening Up. How come? The failure to open is usually the result of poor weather conditions—too much rain or temperatures that are too cold....

What Maple Hardwood Flooring Is Maple hardwood flooring is a solid hardwood or engineered wood floor milled from maple trees. Maple is a domestic hardwood that comes from forests in the northern United States and Canada. Since it is a fast-growing domestic wood, maple is considered to be sustainable and eco-friendly. Maple hardwood flooring has a distinctive look because its color tends to be creamy white, though sometimes it can darken to a light brown....

Minutes into a conversation with Kayleen McCabe, and it’s easy to picture someone telling her, “You should have your own TV show!” And, as McCabe tells us, that’s exactly what happened: McCabe has been on Trading Spaces and DIY Network’s Rescue Renovation, where she saved projects-gone-wrong for five seasons. But her foray into woodworking was never just for show—it’s been a part of her life since she was a little kid....

All of the native plants presented below are indigenous to the Northeastern United States and nearby American states and Canadian provinces. They are best suited for landscaping use in perennial sun gardens or along the sunny edges of woodland gardens. Irises are one of the most exquisite perennials in the plant world. If you agree, then you may be intrigued by the prospect of growing a native iris in your landscaping....

The resurgence of plants in interior decoration might look nice, but it doesn’t end well if your decor ends up droopy or dying. Fake plants, like the 6.5-foot Nearly Natural Golden Cane Palm Silk Tree, solves the problem of your decorations waning, but the trade-off can sometimes result in plants that look obviously artificial. We put this faux palm tree in our home to see if it would blend in with our other plants without revealing it was made of plastic....

In addition to their role as landscape trees in warmer climates, palm trees can be distinctive and wonderful indoor plants. Mature palms often adorn public spaces and foyers, adding an elegant and distinctly tropical air to the decor. At the same time, very small, immature palms can be used as a pop of greenery in homes. It is tempting to think of palm trees as purely tropical plants—give them plenty of sunlight and water and they will be just fine....

Another beneficial aspect of using perennials in your cutting garden is that the plants will look good throughout the season. When you’ve finished cutting your peonies, the foliage will provide a pleasant backdrop to the next flowers that bloom. And of course, you don’t have to plant a perennial cutting garden from scratch every year since they will last for many seasons. There will be necessary weeding and maintenance, but that’s also true of annual flower gardens....

That’s why Plant Proper is doing Green Friday, offering all plants on their website at 30 percent off. But not it’s not just one day of sales—it’s a Green Friday weekend of sales. Starting today, Friday, March 25, all plants on their website are on sale until Green Friday weekend ends on March 27 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. Plant Proper may be flying a bit under the radar when it comes to online plant sellers, but if you haven’t checked them out yet, now is the time!...

At one time, prefabricated houses weren’t considered a sound investment. While they made homeownership more affordable, they were essentially low-cost housing that wasn’t very good-looking or, more importantly, as weather-resistant as stick-built homes. However, thanks to cutting edge building techniques, there are plenty of affordable, durable and customizable prefab options that not only look better but can also withstand wicked weather. The following list features five affordable prefab starter homes....

“I want thyme to be the new smell of clean,” said Joy Mangano, the famous inventor and product creator who you probably recognize from her 20-plus years on QVC. “How did we ever get used to the smell of bleach and ammonia?,” she said. Good question. Mangano is back with a newish product line, CleanBoss by Joy. The collection includes hand sanitizer products, an antibacterial foaming hand wash, antimicrobial cloths (12-pack), and washable face masks—all things we’ve seen a lot of brands launch in the last year or so....

Hawks in the Yard The most common backyard hawks are all smaller birds of prey, including the sharp-shinned hawk, the Cooper’s hawk, the red-tailed hawk, and the American kestrel in North America as well as similar species in other parts of the world. While it is possible that larger hawks will visit yards and gardens to hunt, these species are fast, agile fliers that are well adapted to flying around feeders, birdbaths, buildings, and trees to catch small, panicked birds....

When you remove your old window, you are removing only the sash and a few other related parts. You are not removing the entire window that was originally installed by the house builder. It is difficult to remove every single bit of material from the old window, so some of it remains attached to your house. Even though the replacement window is not the same as the original window (also called a new construction window), it does function the same....

Established trees that have been growing in the ground have roots that reach out far beyond the branches or drip line—the distance the branches reach out above the ground. These long branches are used by the tree to anchor and support it. However, most of the small feeder roots, which bring in food and nutrients to the tree, are likely to be found growing off the main roots at some distance from the tree itself....