In the past 11 or 12 years, the technique has become more popular outside of Japan, he explained. “It is often said that this authentic traditional Japanese heat treatment process is a gift from mother nature rather than a scientific construction method technique,” Kimura noted. For centuries, yakisugi was only popular in Western Japan, where Kimura said it was used for “exterior siding and fencing on traditional Japanese houses due to its remarkable durability....

This tree is a native of East Asia that has been in use in ornamental horticulture in the west since the 19th century. It has only been in the past fifty years or so, however, that the zelkova has skyrocketed to popularity due. This is largely due to its similarity in form and stature when compared with the American elm and the fact that it is highly resistant to Dutch Elm Disease and the Elm Leaf Beetle....

Legos are a big deal in my household. My four sons from age 14 to 8 and my 16-year-old daughter have each gone through intense phases of Lego-mania. After a few weeks or months, their attention might shift to Nerf guns, BMX, Tech Decks, or the trampoline, but soon enough, the Lego passion will resume, particularly for my younger sons. They will build and build, complete traditional sets, and make their own creations, often trying to outdo each other....

Safely is a non-toxic cleaning line created by Kris Jenner and Emma Grede (the founding partner of Skims and CEO and co-founder of Good American). The Safely line launched in March 2021 and expanded its offerings to Walmart in February of this year. Safely is made up of everyday cleaning essentials like hand soap and laundry detergent, and it promises a powerful clean without the use of chemicals like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or dyes....

If you don’t have one, start a garden journal. It is the best tool for systematically improving your garden over the years. Get started on these regional garden tips in March. All Regions Send a sample of your soil into your local county extension service office for testing. The results will offer a scientific analysis of what nutrients (if anything) need to be added to your soil.Do not walk across your garden when the soil is wet....

There are many different ways that we can work with feng shui principles in order to connect more deeply with nature in our homes. One simple way to do this is to bring in symbols of nature, like plants and flowers. There are a few flowers that are especially significant in China, where feng shui was developed, and one of these is the plum blossom. Plum Blossom Symbolism and Meaning in Feng Shui Plum blossoms are soft, delicate flowers that generally have five petals....

For the rod, wooden skewers or chopsticks work well to attach some string to it before hot gluing a round magnet at the end.

Typical Hummingbird Predators While an adult hummingbird may not seem like a significant source of food for a human, to an animal predator, a hummingbird can be a quick, tasty snack. Plump hummingbirds are filled with sweet nectar and good sources of fat, particularly during the late summer and early fall when hummingbirds fatten themselves up for migration. Many predators won’t think twice about hunting hummingbirds, such as: Domestic and feral cats might consider hummingbirds as playful toys, especially with the birds’ bright colors and glittering plumage....

Match the entryway planting to your house style and wider surroundingsCreate a welcoming environment (unless your goal is privacy)Lead the viewer’s eye from the street to the door In these pictures of landscaping showing front door entrances, I will provide examples of entryway plantings showing how each of these objectives can be met. Commentary accompanies each of the pictures. This design draws the viewer’s eye to the front door entrance by framing it with Grecian urns planted with dwarf Alberta spruces....

While not the same as bananas, plantains do look quite similar. However, they have a firmer, less sugary fruit, and they are generally cooked rather than eaten fresh. Both the banana tree and the plantain tree are members of the Musa genus. They are technically large herbs, and their fruit is classified as berries. The starchy plantain is generally treated as more of a potato, though, and it can be boiled or mashed, or eaten with salt....

But gapping in engineered hardwood still can occur. Factors include humidity, installation practices, and flaws in the material. During installation of hardwood flooring, leave 3/8" to 3/4" around the perimeter for expansion of the wood. Cover the gap with baseboards and shoe molding. Gaps Due to Humidity Wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity. It swells in high humidity and shrinks when the air is drier. The amount of expansion and contraction largely depends on the orientation of the wood grain....

Of all colors, red is one of the most vibrant and easily seen shades, and there are many beautiful red birds throughout the world (hint: cardinals are not the only red birds). The species represented here are the reddest, most colorful birds on the globe, and each one would be a colorful addition to any birder’s life list. Read on to view this list of red birds with names and pictures, plus where these creatures are likely to be spotted, to help you identify the red bird you may have noticed in your own backyard....

This “earth ground” is a very important part of your electrical system to ensure electrical safety. According to the National Electrical Code, or NEC, a ground system should have a grounding resistance of 25 ohms or less. Achieving this may require more than one ground rod. Ground rods come in both 8-foot and 10-foot lengths, with 8-foot being the most common size used in residential installations. As a rule, ground rods must be a minimum of eight feet long and should not be cut down....

Still, despite all these differing preferences, there are a few things most everyone wants from their dish-washing: We want it to be easy. We want our dish soap to be good for us and our dishes (and ideally it’ll smell good, too). We want to make dish-washing as sustainable as possible. And we want all that without sacrificing the ultimate goal of getting clean dishes. Fortunately for dish-washers everywhere, cleaning your dishes thoroughly (and without harsh chemicals) just got a whole lot easier with the launch of Safely’s new Dish Collection....

The reintroduction of the plant to the horticulture world in 1980 has helped to save the plant from extinction. Latin Name This shrub is classified as Heptacodium miconioides and is the only member of the genus. As a member of the Caprifoliaceae family it is related to cape honeysuckle, viburnum shrubs, and the common elderberry. Common Names You may see this plant listed as seven son flower, crape myrtle of the North, autumn lilac or seven son plant....

A pressure-balance shower valve or thermostatic shower valve can remedy this issue, and they are now required by building codes in some areas (particularly in high-rise buildings) for new construction or during remodeling. Two Valve Types While they are often confused, there are actually two types of shower valves that can serve to balance water temperature and prevent burns. Pressure-Balance Shower Valve: This option operates by sensing the volume ratio of hot water to cold water and adjusting them to continually deliver water at your chosen temperature....