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Core aeration is a type of lawn aeration whereby a machine (a lawn aerator) with hollow tines mechanically removes plugs or “cores” of soil and thatch from a lawn. Core aeration reduces soil compaction, creating a channel through which oxygen, water, and nutrients can penetrate the soil. There are other ways to aerate a lawn. For example, some lawn aerators drive solid tines into the earth. But that method isn’t considered as effective as core aeration, in which you’re creating holes of a significant diameter—1/2 inch to 3/4 inch....

Solid surface material and granite are both premium countertop materials that will return excellent value to the homeowners for years, plus each has good resale value. Beyond that, you will find that the two countertop materials vary greatly. In fact, the only attribute that both solid surface material and granite share is that they look somewhat alike—at least from a distance. Solid Surface Corian vs. Granite Corian Solid Surface The name Corian is the Dupont Corporation’s brand name for its flagship solid surface countertop material....

Pronunciation DAB-bling duck (rhymes with babbling cluck, scrabbling muck, and grabbling truck) How Dabblers Eat Dabbling ducks are so named because they “dabble” as they eat. This can describe two feeding styles, and a dabbling duck may use one or both styles as they forage. Surface Feeding: This involves skimming along the surface of the water with the neck stretched out and the bill parallel to the water. The bill is quickly “chewing” or “nibbling” at the water with little bites, and the duck may sweep its head from side to side at the same time to cover more surface area....

Is your outdoor patio or deck in need of some love? Ours sure is, and we’ve discovered its love language is an area rug. No other design element ties a living space together so well. Area rugs are a great way to define a space, and an indoor/outdoor type provides plenty of versatility. With this in mind, we rolled out the Dash & Albert Geometric Indoor/Outdoor Rug on our front porch under two Adirondack chairs, creating a cozy spot ready for lounging and neighborly conversation....

Building Materials that Off-gas In many cases, the off-gassing culprits are materials you don’t even see, such as substrates that contain glue, caulks, sealants and insulation. Some finish materials also have the potential to off-gas. These are the offending parties: Paints and stainsPaint strippersVarnishPlywoodParticleboardFiberglass insulationCarpet and other flooringCabinets and countertops How to Avoid Off-Gassing We live in a chemical world, but there are a few ways to ensure that you breathe easier:...

If you’re considering the Montessori approach for your child, you don’t have to wait for preschool to begin encouraging your little one to think and act independently. Turn your toddler’s space into a safe and independent learning environment with these tips for creating a fun and educational Montessori bedroom. Keep Decor Simple If your goal is to promote independence, it’s important to keep things simple and easy to manage. Your baby’s bedroom should be a relaxing place where your child can feel at home and in control....

1. Curvaceous Furniture “I’ve been most excited about seeing the beautiful trend toward curvaceous furniture continue. When I moved into a new apartment four years ago, I wanted a curvy, deco-inspired sofa. But they weren’t easy to find, so I ended up buying a vintage sofa and having my upholsterer reimagine it in the style I was looking for. Now you can find beautiful, deco-inspired chairs and sofas everywhere. I definitely think that trend will last into 2022 and beyond....

The holly plant is an example of a dioecious plant—one in which the male and female reproductive systems occur on separate plants. While most plants are monoecious, with each plant containing both male and female parts, plants such as holly, bittersweet, and asparagus require a mixture of male and female plants in order to pollinate and produce fruit and their enclosed seeds. While all holly plants will produce flowers, any given plant will have either all male reproductive parts or all female parts....

Sealing asphalt with coating has long been a standard project that’s more than just a quick patch for cracks and pitted asphalt. It can add years to the life of your driveway, extending its usage before a complete replacement is required. What Driveway Coating Is Driveway coating, or repair sealant, is a rubberized tar-like liquid that seals old asphalt and concrete surfaces. Manufacturers claim that it is more durable and less messy than tar, and many formulas contain an aggregate (such as sand) for greater durability....

There are several instances where you may need to have a conduit installed or replaced on your property. The first (and perhaps most obvious) reason would be to fulfill code requirements. In all 50 states, the National Electrical Code (NEC) is the benchmark for safe electrical design and installation. Through its documentation, you can determine requirements and code specific to your project—it’s also a good idea to check with a local inspector in your area, and get any proper permits before beginning work....

It can all be pretty confusing and, as a result, many people simply base their decision on price. They get the cheapest paint they can buy only to find out that they need to paint and recoat and recoat and recoat, just to get the cheap paint to cover. In this article, you’ll learn about the basics of paint: what it is, what types there are, which type to use where, and how to choose the right sheen....

According to the box, the Exploding Kittens card game is the most-backed Kickstarter project ever, having raised more than $8 million. That’s thanks in large part to the insane popularity of co-creator Matthew Inman’s webcomic The Oatmeal. The cards contain his signature artwork and text, making the game irresistible to fans. But that’s a lot of hype to live up to, and we wondered if this strategic, Russian roulette-style card game actually delivers....

Adorned with textured, scaly, cedar-like foliage, false cypress trees can be seen with green, blue-green, blue-gray, yellow, or gold foliage. Its shaggy, reddish-brown bark and small, circular cones complement the foliage nicely. These evergreens can be planted anytime from spring to early fall. They are cold tolerant, but take note that intense cold can cause burns on the foliage. Established plants are also heat and drought-tolerant. This genus is resistant to deer, rabbits, and most diseases, but they can struggle with juniper blight, spruce mites, and root rot....

One economical way to chill down hot, humid rooms is to install a window unit air conditioner. Window unit A/Cs often come at a price point that’s comfortable for many buyers, and they cool and dehumidify only the required space. But a crucial part of buying a window unit A/C is to correctly size it to the room. If you size an A/C unit too large for the room’s needs, you end up paying for cooling capacity that you’ll never use and a unit that cycles on and off too much to function efficiently....

Here are the eight most common garage door problems, along with how to repair each of the problems. If none of the following fixes seem to correct the problem, you will need to consult the owner’s manual or contact a garage door company. As with many such problems, the most common problem is the simplest one—the motor unit has been unplugged. Begin by checking the outlet where the door opener is plugged in, and make sure the cord is plugged in all the way....

Another important thing to consider is how the mother-to-be feels. For example, you wouldn’t want to serve alcohol at a baby shower because the mother-to-be can’t drink. You would want to serve food items that she loves. So if fruit punch is a favorite for her, be sure to add it to the menu. Baby Shower Not at Meal Times If you avoid meal times (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), food can be a light, snack affair with cake....

Raising Sunflowers Sunflowers are fast-growers and are very easy to start from seed. Here are a few general tips for growing them: Sow sunflower seeds directly in the garden after the last frost date in your region; read the seed packet for spacing and depth recommendations Sow the seeds (or plant transplants) in an area that receives full sun; sunflowers require at least six to eight hours of sun per day Make sure the soil is well-drained; they don’t tolerate soggy soil They are heavy feeders; fertile soil high in organic matter will produce strong and healthy plants Water plants deeply but infrequently when the plants are young; they can tolerate dryness once they are established If you’re growing a tall variety, consider staking them so they don’t topple over in a strong wind, the large flower heads can become quite heavy; if possible plant them in a location that offers some protection from the wind...

Species of Fusarium can infect many plants including potatoes, peppers, eggplants, legumes, and bananas. Symptoms of Verticillium wilt can be very similar to Fusarium wilt. Verticilliam wilt occurs more often in cooler temperatures while Fusarium thrives in warmer, dry conditions. What Causes Fusarium Wilt? The Fusarium wilt pathogen is soil-borne and can remain in the infected soil for years. It can also be carried and transmitted in multiple ways, like:...

Preparing your home for sale is a bit like designing a stage for a play. Everything is in just the right place, perfectly arranged, and comfortably set. There are television shows like Designed to Sell focused exclusively on, not decorating a home, but getting an otherwise drab, cluttered, boring house ready for a quick and profitable sale. Homes that are properly prepared sell faster and at a higher price than similar, unprepared homes....