Long vertical poles secured with concrete footings are an easy way to support twinkling string lights and are sturdy enough to stay up for the entire summer season. A little carpentry work and a few basic supplies are all that are required, and this DIY project can be done in one day. See how we did it below, and check out our expert advice to hang string lights correctly the first time....
Although there are rabbit-resistant plants, you don’t have to exclusively fill your garden with plants they’ll ignore. Read on to learn how to protect plants from rabbits and send your long-eared visitors (whether jackrabbits or cottontails) looking elsewhere for lunch. Fencing The most reliable way to protect your vegetable garden from rabbits is with fencing. Putting up a fence takes some time and effort, but once it’s done, you’ll have a permanent barrier....
If you’ve never learned how to make cobbler before, this is an excellent opportunity to utilize your favorite fresh seasonal fruits (frozen fruit works, too!) and create a warm, delicious dessert masterpiece. Get your ice cream ready—you’ll want a giant scoop to go with your fresh-from-the-oven seasonal cobbler. How to Make Cobbler To get started, you’ll pick a great fruit cobbler recipe (we’ve got some tasty recommendations), then follow our Test Kitchen’s easy process to make a sweet cobbler filling and crust....
With so many electric fireplaces available, there is something for practically every home’s design style and budget. When searching for the best electric fireplace, it’s important to consider the type of heat produced: convection or radiant, as well as the style, which can be freestanding, wall-mounted, or insert. To find the best electric fireplaces, we considered design, unit size, and BTUs to determine the amount of square footage each fireplace can heat....
Being smart with the space you have is key. While professional garage storage systems are excellent organizers, they can be costly and may not even be necessary for your needs. Before embarking on a large organization project, try one of the following DIY garage storage ideas to get your stuff sufficiently tidy, saving you time and money.
1. Display Family Heirlooms French interior design is all about mixing new and old to create a space with a sense of history. There’s no better way to incorporate the past than including family furniture and keepsakes that have been handed down for generations. Not only does your grandmother’s table or great uncle’s painting add substance to your space, but it also provides a story. A bit of patina is another soothing contrast to shiny new things....
Test Kitchen Tip: No panini press? Make your own. Place your sandwiches in a greased skillet (cast-iron works wonderfully) over medium heat. Place another large skillet on top of the sandwiches, weighted by a couple of cans of beans or veggies, and allow two minutes per side. Test Kitchen Tip: If you can’t find bresaola, try speck, prosciutto, or ham instead.
First, a few pointers: When cooking, you’ll generally need to pit both green and black olives before adding them to a recipe. To do so, crush the long side of the olive with the heel of your hand, then simply pull out the pit.You can buy pre-pitted olives. However, pitting causes more of the olive’s flesh to be exposed to the brine. This can alter the flavor or make them softer than you might like....
Buy It: Crock-Pot 4-Quart Slow Cooker ($50, Bed Bath & Beyond)
Name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in medium moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Zones: 3-9 Name: Fuchsia Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in evenly moist, moisture-retentive soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Zones: 10-11 Name: Astilbe Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 18 inches tall Zones: 3-8 Name: Tricyrtis hirta Size: Up to 3 feet tall Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in medium to wet, well-drained soil Zones: 4-8 Name: Impatiens hawkeri Growing Conditions: Part shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 4 feet tall Zones: 10 to 12 Name: Begonia (Semperflorens Cultorum Group) Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 1 foot tall Zones: 10-11 Name: Impatiens Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Zones: 10-11 Buy It: White Impatiens Outdoor Annual Plant Name: Viola Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 9 inches tall Zones: 5-8 Buy It: Sorbet Mix Viola Name: Torenia fournieri Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in consistently moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 1 foot tall Zones: 2-11 Name: Ajuga reptans Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 9 inches tall Zones: 3-10 Name: Pulmonaria saccharata Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 18 inches tall Zones: 3-8 Name: Brunnera macrophylla Growing Conditions: Part shade in consistently moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 1 foot tall Zones: 3-8 Name: Hosta Growing Conditions: Part shade to full shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Zones: 4-9 Name: Heuchera sanguinea Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 18 inches tall Zones: 3-8 Buy It: Mixed Colored Coral Bells Name: Doronicum orientale Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in evenly moist, fertile soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Zones: 4-8 Name: Helleborus Growing Conditions: Part shade to full shade in humusy, well-drained soil Size: Up to 18 inches tall Zones: 4-9 Name: Plectranthus scutellarioides Growing Conditions: Part shade to full shade in moist soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Zones: 10-11
Name: Pieris Growing Conditions: Slightly moist, acidic soil Size: To 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide Zones: 5-8 Buy It: Lily of The Valley Bare Root Plant ($65, Walmart) Name: Tricyrtis hirta Growing Conditions: Rich, moist, well-drained soil Size: To 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide Zones: 4-9 Name: Pulmonaria Growing Conditions: Slightly moist, well-drained soil Size: To 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide Zones: 2-8 Buy It: Pulmonaria Diana Clare Lungwort ($19, Etsy) Deer Fact: White-tailed deer tend to avoid plants with fuzzy or hairy leaves, like lamb’s ear....
Opposite each other on the color wheel, red and green are natural complements. Here, shades of green pair with dusty pink and coral accents for a fresh take on the classic combo. Bright white on the linens, headboard, and table lamp provides a crisp backdrop that helps the green pillows and throw pop. Cool-leaning shades of green, such as jade, pair perfectly with crisp neutrals like gray and white. In this small living room, light gray walls and white trim recede into the background to let a luxurious green velvet sofa shine as the focal point....
Editor’s Tip: Be sure to look up your city’s regulations around fire pits before purchasing or installing.
