No matter which geranium types you select for your next container or flower bed, make sure to keep up with deadheading. And don’t forget to feed them! Zonal, Ivy, and Regal Annual geraniums come in different types: zonal, ivy, and regal. The most common of the annual variety, zonal geraniums, is the most recognizable geranium; it gets its name from the broad band of darker coloring on its leaves. In some, this “zone” is more pronounced than in others....

Exterior finishes come in transparent, tinted, semi-transparent, and solid colors. The look you choose is mainly a matter of personal preference, but there’s a practical consideration: Clear or tinted products usually last just a year or two, depending on the climate. Semi-transparent and solid stains may last two to four years. Whatever finish you choose, deck stain can be applied in several ways, including with some new products that make the job a lot easier....

How to Clean Bathroom Countertops Quickly tidying up your countertops each day will make a big difference in the look of your bathroom. After your morning routine, take a few minutes to make sure everything goes back in its designated space. Place your toothbrush in its holder, makeup back in the drawers, and hair tools hidden behind cabinets. Once the countertop is clear, wipe it down with a damp cloth or a cleaning wipe to catch any new spills before you leave....

How to Clean Windows Inside and Out What You Need Cleaning solutionVacuum cleaner with hose attachmentWet clothGarden hose with sprayerLadder (optional)Warm soapy waterClean coffee filters (optional)Crumpled newspaper (optional)Microfiber or flour sack towel (optional)Squeegee with nick-free blade (optional) Step 1: Test the Temperature Don’t want to waste a sunny day chasing away the dirt and grime on windows? You’re not alone—and you’re in luck. One of the best pieces of advice for how to clean windows is to pick a cloudy day....

The Most Popular Winter Squash Types The most popular winter squash— spaghetti, acorn, and butternut—are plentiful during the fall and winter months. Acorn Squash: Green varieties of acorn squash are typically what you see in the produce aisle. Harvested when fully mature, acorn squash should weigh 1 to 3 pounds and have deep green, dull skin with spots of orange. Shiny skin means the squash was harvested too early. Store uncut acorn squash up to one month in a cool, dry place (50°F to 55°F)....

Know the Layout Get a pad of graph paper, a straightedge, a compass, and several colored pencils if you’re installing several circuits. Make a scale drawing of the room, including features such as counters and cabinets. Using widely accepted symbols, make a quick freehand drawing using colored pencils to indicate each circuit. Are the switches in convenient locations? Are all the circuits correctly loaded? Do you have enough receptacles, and are they easy to reach?...

It is also usually easiest to leave the exterior sheathing and siding in place while you cut the studs and build the framing. This prevents having to replace siding. However, if you will be replacing the siding anyway, you can cut a large opening in the exterior at the same time you cut the interior opening. If the window has brick molding or a flange, you will need to cut back the siding to accommodate it....

Here’s how to get rid of boxelder bugs in your home and keep them out this fall. 1. Seal Up Cracks Around Doors and Windows The best way to defend your home against boxelder bugs (and several other indoor pests) is to prevent them from coming inside in the first place. Make sure to weather-strip your doors and windows and seal up any other apparent cracks or holes you find on the outside of your home, like torn window screens and openings around vents....

When it comes to removing sweat stains from shirts, it’s important to understand the complicated science behind what causes them—it’s not just sweat, believe it or not!—in order to effectively break them down and restore shirts to an almost-brand new state. What Causes Sweat Stains The term sweat stains is a bit of a misnomer: Sweat stains are actually complicated combination stains that are made up of organic and inorganic compounds....

We’ve got your pork covered: Learn how to score a ham properly, when to glaze it, and what ingredients to combine, whether you want a salty-sweet flavor, a honey-glazed ham, or the acidity of mustard. Keep this guide on hand for the holiday season and beyond (and don’t forget, leftover ham makes incredible sandwiches!). Which Hams Can I Glaze? In short, any of them! Spiral-cut hams are a popular pick since they come sliced and are easy to serve....

Penstemon Care Penstemons are tough perennials that can stand up to some pretty intense growing conditions. This tiny alpine species, native to North America, can grow in the cracks of rocks and stand up to extremely cold weather, while others grow in disturbed soils in prairie settings. No matter where they’re growing, penstemons need extremely well-drained soils and will not tolerate wet soils, especially over the winter. The prairie-type penstemons are much more tolerant of standard garden soils, whereas the alpine varieties require very sharp drainage, similar to what is found in gravel gardens and even trough gardens....

Cantaloupe Planting Basics Plant cantaloupe seeds in full sun in well-drained soil. They’ll need about 85 days to mature, but don’t rush things. Sow seeds only when temperatures reliably stay above 50°F to 60°F. Plant in groups of two or three seeds spaced 2 feet apart. Once the seedlings emerge, keep only the strongest individual plant in each group, pulling the rest. You can start the seeds in pots indoors several weeks before your last frost date, but melons are particularly sensitive to root disturbance, so the vine growth might be stunted if you’re not careful when transplanting them outdoors....

Before you begin, draw your design and double-check the sizes and measurements. In our railing the post length equals the height of the railing above the deck plus the decking thickness, plus the joist width, minus the thickness of the cap rail. The baluster length equals the height of the railing above the deck minus the gap between the bottom of the railing and the deck (about 2 to 3 inches), minus the thickness of the cap rail....

Plants That Deer Like to Eat Deer often go for tender greens such as lettuce, pansy, ivy, hosta, and most young plants. Spring and early-summer plants, including tulips, lilies, and roses, seem especially appealing to deer, even if they’re planted in containers. They feast on fruits of all kinds, from strawberries to fruit trees and fallen fruit. Deer will eat bark, twigs, and leaves of most trees and shrubs. They can also damage woody plants, especially during winter when food is scarce....

While yellowing is impossible to prevent completely, there are some ways to stave off the inevitable. Learn the reasons why white sheets turn yellow and what you can do to address those causes, plus washday tips that will leave white sheets as clean and bright-white as possible. What Causes Yellowing in White Sheets? There are a number of reasons that white sheets go yellow, but most of the culpability rests with you—literally!...

You can use pressure-treated or cedar wood for this project. If you choose pressure-treated, make sure to allow the wood to dry for a couple of weeks prior to staining. To reduce the risk of splitting the wood, drill pilot holes for all instances using the 1-5/8" deck screws. Make sure not to drill through to the opposite side. This build is pretty straightforward. Be sure to offset the placement of pocket holes on the side panel assemblies....

Is It Really Bamboo? Although it is somewhat similar in appearance to bamboo, lucky bamboo is actually Dracaena sanderiana, a native of West Africa. Often found in garden centers and florist shops, lucky bamboo can be shaped by twisting and looping the stems when they are young and slender. The cut canes will grow in soil or water and stay healthy with an occasional dose of fertilizer. If potted in pebbles and water, as shown in this project, change the water completely every two weeks, and add liquid fertilizer for aquatic plants (available at pets stores)....

How to Make a Wood Bead Chandelier Supplies Needed White stringScissorsEmbroidery needleApproximately 500 wood beadsDiagonal pliers14-inch lampshade ringNeedle nose pliers12-inch embroidery hoopPendant light kit Step-by-Step Directions With a few supplies and these how-to instructions, you can create your own wood bead chandelier. If you have leftover wood beads, try creating a colorful yarn and bead chandelier. Step 1: String Beads For this pretty pendant, gather about 500 beads—ranging from ½ to 1½ inches in diameter—and measure three 16-inch lengths of string for a total of about 48 feet....

Materials NewspapersWood chipsStones (optional) Tools Shovel Step 1: Secure a Supply of Wood Chips If you or a neighbor has a chipper-shredder, stockpile chips, but for no more than a year (they’ll start to break down). Or check with your city or county manager’s office. Shredded wood chips are often available for little or no cost from local landfills, as long as you haul them. Alternatively, if you have an ample supply of pine needles or tiny or crushed sea shells in your area, collect those to line the path....