Simple Ideas for Better Homes, Gardens & Outdoor Spaces
A front yard rarely fails in winter because of one bad plant. It fails because everything was doing the same job. Perennials supplied the color, deciduous shrubs supplied the bulk, and the lawn supplied the green. When frost takes all three, what’s left is bare soil, brown stalks, and a house that suddenly looks exposed. … Read more
Most cactus gardens fail for a simple reason: the plants were fine, but the soil was not. A cactus bought at a garden center and planted in ordinary garden loam, then watered on the same schedule as the petunias next to it, will usually rot from the roots up. The plant is rarely the problem. … Read more
Most backyard apple trees get planted the same way: a hole in the middle of the lawn, a stake, and a ring of mulch that grows lopsided over the years. The tree may fruit, but it ends up looking like an afterthought. Meanwhile, it can be one of the most useful design elements in a … Read more
A dedicated gardener usually owns more trowels than they can use. Gloves, kneeling pads and decorative watering cans pile up too, which is why store-bought gardening gifts so often end up on a shelf in the garage. A homemade gift avoids that problem when it is built around what the person actually grows, cooks or … Read more
A stocking has a size limit, and that limit helps. It rules out the big-ticket tools and the bulky gadgets, so what’s left is the small stuff gardeners reach for constantly and replace often: the pruner that finally loses its edge, the gloves worn through at the fingertips, the plant tags that fade by August. … Read more
Put orange roses in a clear glass vase next to a bowl of candy and you have a bouquet on a table. Nothing about it says Halloween yet. Put the same stems in a matte black vase, surround them with burgundy foliage and a few bare branches, and the arrangement reads as Halloween from across … Read more
Toilets come in many designs and styles, including those mounted on the floor and others with raised platforms. Your toilet might be on a raised platform, and you might wonder why. There are several reasons, and we are going to explore some of them. We will also look at some of the cons of having … Read more
The toilet is among the most challenging home fixtures to purchase. That’s because there are thousands of types and styles to choose from and many brands to peruse to find the best model for your needs. The decision will be even more challenging if you plan to move into a mobile home. You might wonder … Read more
A question that often arises about haircuts is whether you should shower before, after, or both times. Unless you wash your hair daily, chances are you won’t have fresh hair on your way to the salon. Also, stray hairs will typically be left after a haircut, no matter how much you brush the loose hairs … Read more
France is a wonderful country with many beautiful sights and other attractions. But one thing that tends to catch visitors by surprise, especially those from the United States, is the peculiar toilet paper. Yep, French toilet paper is not what you are used to. So, what’s so special about French toilet paper? This article will … Read more