1. Rethink Clover in Your Lawn Rather than being a weed to battle with herbicides, the humble clover actually can be an attractive and useful part of healthy lawns. Clover is a “set it and forget it” type of plant, needing little water to thrive. If you’ve ever tried to get rid of it, you know how fast it grows, even in poor soil. It’s a legume, which has the ability to capture nitrogen from the air and store it in the ground, essentially fertilizing itself with this important plant nutrient....

But there are a few things to consider before you haul your tree out onto the front steps. We talked to Kim Tokarski, senior merchant at Frontgate, about the best ways to decorate a tree outdoors (including what to look for when you’re shopping). Here are her best tips. Find the Right Tree There are several factors to consider when choosing an artificial tree, but the most important thing to look for when you’re shopping for an outdoor tree is the phrase ‘indoor/outdoor use’ on the box or label....

So how do you keep all those bathroom odds and ends at the ready and with a company-worthy presentation? Enter: perfectly styled bathroom shelves. It might seem easier said than done, but we called on the expertise of Birmingham, Alabama-based stylist Kathleen Varner to give us all the tips on how to decorate bathroom shelves. She shares her no-fail advice for styling bathroom shelves with solutions that focus on storage that’s both smart and attractive....

Editor’s Tip: To decoupage ornaments, cut strips of paper, then brush Mod Podge onto a portion of the ornament and on paper strips. Press and repeat until the ornament is covered, then brush on a top coat of decoupage and let dry. Use florists wire to secure ornaments to the wreath. Editor’s Tip: Assemble the pinecone Christmas wreath first with the flattest elements (like moss), ending with three-dimensional statement pieces (like pods)....

Bread Machine Troubleshooting Guide Here are six of the most common issues you might face while making bread in your bread machine ($130, Williams Sonoma) along with some quick fixes to save your next loaf. 1. Small and Heavy Loaf Make sure the dough rises enough. Here’s how: Check measurements and be sure the ratio of flour to liquid is exact, which is generally 2½ to 3 cups flour to 1¼ cups liquid....

Classic Summer Sweets with a Twist So-Good Berry Desserts Our Best Rhubarb Desserts All-Time Favorite Pie Recipes

The tradition is similar to Elf on the Shelf at Christmastime but with way less work for Mom and Dad. Rather than moving an elf to a new location each night, you set up a leprechaun trap the night before St. Patrick’s Day. If you wake up to find gold coins or treasure in the trap, you’ll know you’ve caught a leprechaun. The best part about this tradition is that it can be easily executed by the kids—all you have to do is add the coins once they’re asleep (unless a leprechaun beats you to it)....

Needing only an outlet, electric patio heaters can warm your outdoor space easily and quickly. And with a wide variety of products on the market—from hanging lanterns to under-table lamps—you can find the type of heater that fits your needs. We researched to find the best electric patio heaters. We took into account important factors like maneuverability, ease of use, and of course, heat output. As you shop, remember to consider your own patio space and preferences to select the heater that’s best for you—you won’t want a tabletop lantern if you plan on playing card games with friends!...

All our smoothies in one spot!

We’ve rounded up some of the most patriotic pies on Instagram to inspire your own Fourth of July desserts. Under the Stars This mouthwatering blueberry pie is topped with adorable stars made from pie crust cutouts. Emily from Gathered & Glazed used large and small cookie cutters to cut the stars from leftover crust before layering them on top of the blueberry filling. To make your own, grab a set of cookie cutters and make our Two-Crust Blueberry Pie....

While gas-powered pressure washers are popular among homeowners, electric power washers are more lightweight and tend to have a quieter motor and a quick-start operation. They also tend to be less expensive than their gas counterparts, require less upkeep, and never run out of fuel. Plus, they can tackle pretty much any stubborn mess with ease, including mold, mildew, oil, and tar. To help you decide which is the best electric pressure washer for your home, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind the hose length, pressure rating, machine weight, and flow rate....

Though some eco-friendly products tend to be a bit more costly than their more mainstream counterparts, investing in reusable goods can actually save you money over time. Opting for a reusable coffee mug will save you the cost of purchasing packs of disposable travel cups every month, and buying a washable cloth sponge means you’ll never need to purchase the disposable version again. Check out some of our favorite products and learn more about how to make your home more environmentally-friendly....

Bright colors like magenta make for fun additions to any space. Whether you’re adding a pop of color to your existing color scheme with a realistic-looking faux floral arrangement or brightening up a room with a fun, patterned wallpaper, incorporating the deep pink into your home makes for a cheerful and whimsical atmosphere. Below are some of our favorite home accent picks that effortlessly bring the Color of the Year into your home....

Plant Name: Datura meteloides Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 4 feet tall and wide Grow It With: Salvia, which offers wonderfully contrasting spiky blooms Zones: 7-11; often grown as a self-seeding annual in colder areas Plant Name: Agave americana Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 25 feet tall in bloom and 6 feet wide Grow It With: Western columbine for a bold combination of color and texture Zones: 9-11 Plant Name: Tagetes lucida Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 30 inches tall and 18 inches wide Grow It With: The lush blooms of desert primrose Zones: 8-10 Plant Name: Penstemon heterophyllus Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall and wide Grow It With: Salvia; the two have a similar shape and texture Zones: 7-10 Plant Name: Salvia farinacea Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall and wide Grow It With: Creeping phlox, which makes a great skirt for the plant Zones: 8-11 Plant Name: Opuntia selections Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 5 feet tall and wide Grow It With: Echeveria, another easy-care succulent, for a fun mix of color and texture Zones: 5-11, depending on type Plant Name: Aquilegia formosa Growing Conditions: Partial shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide Grow It With: Pasque flower for a topnotch springtime display Zones: 4-7 Plant Name: Mirabilis jalapa Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall and wide Grow It With: The morning blooms of coneflower Zones: 10-11; often grown as a self-seeding annual in colder areas Plant Name: Calylophus hartwegii Growing Conditions: Part shade in dry soil Size: To 1 foot tall and several feet wide Grow It With: Salvia—the yellow and blue color combination is a garden classic Zones: 5-9

Use the Color Wheel If you’re stuck trying to decide which colors go together, look to the color wheel for inspiration. The concepts of color theory can help direct you toward hues that complement one another. Purple and yellow go together, for example, because they’re across from each other on the color wheel, making them complementary. Green and blue blend well, because they’re next to each other, making them analogous. When in doubt, turn to the wheel for quick and easy solutions to your questions....

You’re almost guaranteed to find these nine thrift store items on your next vintage adventure. Shop with an open mind and keep your eyes peeled. Make sure you scan shelves from top to bottom; sometimes, the best finds are just out of reach. Whether your new accessory becomes part of a gallery wall or earns a spot on your fireplace mantel, there is a perfect place in your home to showcase your latest vintage finds....

Then: Frosted Sandwich Loaf The frosted loaf recipe offers ideas for three fillings: mayonnaise and crab, pimento cheese and olives, and cream cheese and watercress. “This feels like maybe a salt bomb waiting to happen,” Alexis says. “It’s just so unlike recipes we have today, which are maybe just less cream cheese heavy.” After trimming the loaf on all sides, Alexis divides it into four pieces and spreads on some butter....