Posts

**Tip: This jam will have a soft-set, spoonable consistency.

Hard water, which contains dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, is the culprit behind a wide variety of common laundry problems, and it’s present in approximately 85% of U.S. households, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Similar to how hard water can leave behind soap scum on your glassware or make it difficult to lather up in the shower, higher levels of minerals in your water can interfere with your laundry detergent’s cleaning power and leave behind buildup that won’t easily wash away....

When Hostas Bloom Hostas bloom for about three weeks, usually somewhere between May and September, depending on the variety. Each plant sends up several long stalks, called scapes, with flower buds along its length. Each flower only lasts a day when it opens. When to Cut Hosta Flowers If you want to enjoy the hosta flowers in a bouquet, cut each scape when only two flowers on it are open; the rest will gradually emerge over two weeks inside your home....

Supporting the garden theme, linen “Garden Roses” fabric from Suzanne Rheinstein’s collection for Lee Jofa drapes the table under her beloved weeping Chinese elm tree. Guests mingle in the warm light of summer, celebrating Suzanne’s garden at the height of its glory. Suzanne Rheinstein’s pretty luncheon setting inspired a menu based on those served at elegant summer homes in Montauk and Newport Beach during the famed Gilded Age of the late 19th century....

Another option is the herbicide fluazifop, which is sold in garden centers as a “selective grass killer” or “grassy weed control.” It selectively kills grasses but leaves most ornamentals alone. You’ll see a long list of plants that are and aren’t harmed by it on the product’s label, so be sure to read it carefully and follow all directions. It’s available in ready-to-use spray bottles.

Coffee and Tea Coffee grounds are fine additions to compost, and you can toss them onto the compost pile without any concerns. This goes for used tea leaves, too, and tea bags made of natural material and free of staples. Because decomposition needs to happen to release nutrients that plants can use, it is better to compost these items first rather than add them directly to your indoor garden. Otherwise, they will likely encourage mold growth in your plants’ pots (yuck!...

How to Store an Open Bottle of Wine You do have some control over extending the shelf life of an open bottle of wine. Use these tips to make it last as long as possible. The short answer: Put a cork in it and store it in the fridge for one or two days. This applies to both red and white wine. The nitty-gritty: You’ve likely heard that it’s good to let wine “breathe” after opening....

Learn how to brine a turkey, and you’ll have one of the ultimate meal prep multitasking tools anytime you need to roast a turkey! How to Brine a Turkey for the Juiciest Results Here are the details about the amount of salt to brine a turkey, how long to brine a turkey, and what seasonings to consider adding. We also have all the other must-know meat info, so you can savor and share the best star of the Thanksgiving menu you’ve ever prepared....

1. Keep Safety in Mind “If we are attracting birds with food resources, it is important that we protect them when they show up,” says Becca Rodomsky-Bish, project leader of the Great Backyard Bird Count for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Because snow can make windows even more reflective, she suggests making sure your windows have screens, decals, or other forms of protection to break up reflections so birds don’t collide with them....

Before you throw together a basic structure from some leftover construction materials around the home, take note: If a doghouse is not built properly, it can pose a serious safety risk to your pet. Make sure to purchase new, reliable construction material and follow these steps to learn how to build a doghouse that’s safe for your dog. Plan Your Doghouse Before attempting to build a doghouse, you must make a detailed plan with measurements for the framework, roof, walls, and overall size based on the size of your dog....

For this project, stringers are attached to a crossbrace at the top and a toe-kick at the bottom. The landing is made of concrete pavers set in a sand bed. Stairs with 14-inch runs (tread widths) should have rises of between 5-1/2 and 6-1/2 inches. The wider the treads, the more total run the stringers have to span. When you notch stringers, you weaken them. After the notches are cut out of these 2x12 stringers, about 5-1/2 inches of uncut width is left for strength—in other words, the stringers are as strong as 2x6s....