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Seasoned gardeners have determined that certain plants improve the growth of tomatoes by repelling ​insect pests and tomato plant diseases, while others are best kept at a distance. Learn which herbs, flowers, and root vegetables make the best (and worst) tomato companion plants. What Is Companion Planting Companion planting is also known as interplanting, intercropping, or creating a polyculture. It is the practice of partnering plants so they gain mutual benefits from growing near one another or from succession planting (staggering crop plantings)....

For years this area of the kitchen was nothing more than a giant dark cave, but today there are many solutions on the market to help you optimize the use of corner storage cabinets in your kitchen. Its pull-out swivel motion rolls out like butter along the tracks. The rounded shape of the shelves allows for various types of storage from mixing bowls, pots, and pans to food. It also has slip-resistant shelves with a side railing so items don’t slide or fall off the edges....

Check out these creative and non-traditional Christmas tree alternatives for ideas on how to craft a festive ode to the season that won’t add sweeping up pine needles to your holiday checklist, and can be enjoyed for years to come. 

Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

If your current counter is a lost cause, consider installing one of these eco-friendly kitchen countertops. Recycled Glass Slab Instead of natural stone, try recycled glass slab countertops. Granite and marble countertops are among the most desirable, but quarrying natural stone depletes the earth’s resources. Engineered stone became popular for emulating this luxurious look, though its manufacturing process isn’t very eco-friendly either. Concrete counters can be green if the aggregate is recycled, but some find the look too austere....

We talked to Mutyala about all the reasons she decided to rent, what she learned, and the one piece she’ll never buy again. Originally from Sugar Land, Texas, Mutyala has moved four times over the last decade, from college in Austin to Ohio, then onto New York, Los Angeles, and currently, Houston. “I’m always moving around, always traveling. I have no idea where I may be living in the next year!...

The key to the successful use of leaves in your landscape is to shred them first, which you can do with a mulching lawnmower or a leaf mulcher. If you don’t shred them, they won’t completely break down over the winter, and you’ll have to rake them up in the spring. It’s also not healthy for lawns to be covered with a mat of whole leaves. Here are five ways to use shredded leaves around your landscape....

Back in the 1970s, yurts caught on with counterculturalists and hippie homesteaders because they were relatively easy and cheap to DIY. Thousands of years earlier, they were the tiny houses of choice for Eurasian tribes and warlords like Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan. These days, people appreciate the humble yurt because of its low building costs and minor environmental footprint. If you’re thinking about becoming a modern nomad, gere are five yurt builders that sell prefabricated kits you can assemble....

Whether they are used to prepare family meals or as a stage set for entertaining, today’s luxury kitchens are generally large, high-end, and equipped with the latest top-notch appliances. These designer kitchens come in a range of styles, but always appear newly updated and fresh, with elevated finishes and an overall attention to detail that makes them as well designed and decorated as any other room in the house. While there is no single definition for what constitutes a luxury kitchen, it may include upgrades and extras like custom built cabinetry, statement hood vents, double islands, or amenities like hidden pantries....

A gas water heater works by burning natural gas to provide enough heat to warm up the water in the tank. Depending on the level that the thermostat is set to, the water inside the tank can quickly climb to scalding temperatures, so you need to be careful when assessing any problems with the water heater. Take a look at these common reasons a gas water heater may not be working for help resolving any current or future problems....

Clean Everything Thoroughly Have you ever wondered why hotels are always so warm and welcoming? It’s because everything is cleaned regularly to appeal to customers daily. When cleaning your home, focus on making it as clean as a hotel. Dust, vacuum, mop, and wash everything—even the pets. Homebuyers will look inside closets and under sinks, so you must clean every nook and cranny. Get rid of carpet dents, chipped paint, and other negative features....

The IKEA greenhouse is like a giant terrarium. It creates a microclimate by locking in humidity and cycling water to carbon dioxide and back again. This allows plants that thrive in humid environments to thrive in your home. Thankfully, you don’t actually need much to create your own greenhouse at home. As long as you have space for a display cabinet, you can build your very own greenhouse with ease....

The common name “daisy” is applied to a large handful of species within the huge Asteraceae family of plants, a group known for blooms that are flat and disc-shaped, with petals that form rays projecting outward from a central hub. The family also includes chrysanthemums, zinnias, asters, and sunflowers as well as many common weeds, such as dandelions. However, the daisy species that are best for your flower garden depends on several factors....

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 2–9Size: 40–120 ft. tall, 30–50 ft. wideSun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 3–8Size: 45–70 ft. tall, 35–50 ft. wideSun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade Native Area: AsiaUSDA Growing Zones: 6–9Size: 30–75 ft. tall, 30–60 ft. wideSun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: EnglandUSDA Growing Zones: 6–10Size: 60–70 ft. tall, 10–15 ft. wideSun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 3–9Size: 40–90 ft....

Here are eight of the most durable flooring options to suit your lifestyle. 1. Bamboo Bamboo is a type of grass. While this grass is incredibly difficult to remove from your yard, it becomes surprisingly effective and attractive when turned into flooring. The secret to bamboo flooring’s sky-high durability lies in three factors: stalk placement, adhesives, and quality of bamboo. Most off-the-shelf bamboo flooring is made by laying the bamboo grass stalks cross-direction....

Several types of indoor palm trees, including the areca palm and parlor palm, tolerate most household environments quite well. But there are some important factors to consider about indoor palm plant care. Indoor Palm Plant Care Tips How you care for an indoor palm plant is similar to many other houseplants that come from the tropics. Most types of indoor palm trees like the same conditions we find comfortable: warm temperatures, average humidity, and moderate light....

As an adult, my days of shopping for school supplies (at least for myself) are over, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t get a bit creative and use this time of year to pick out a few new-to-me office essentials to make the everyday a little more fun. If you just can’t rid yourself of the back to school shopping bug, I’ve got you covered with nine standout pieces that are adorable, budget friendly, and honestly super useful!...

nikitje / Getty Images USDA Zones: 8 to 10Exposure: Full sunSoil: Sandy and loamy soil that needn’t be very rich USDA Zones: 9 to 10. There are also cold hardy banana trees available for sale. Exposure: Full sun Soil: Fertile, moist soil Westend61 / Getty Images USDA Zones: 8 to 10, though some varieties can handle cooler zonesExposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil: Well-drained clay or loam Ana Maria Serrano / Getty Images...