The Best Rose Fertilizers Like all plants, roses need three primary nutrients: Nitrogen (the “N” on a fertilizer label), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), plus several secondary and trace elements. Trace elements (boron, chlorine, copper, and iron) promote plant cell and root growth. Most garden soils provide some of these nutrients, but they become depleted as the plants grow and use them. That’s where you come in; adding nutrients back to the soil helps roses perform their best....

Stock Base Choose from 1 tablespoon beef stock base, chicken stock base, or vegetable stock base (such as Better Than Bouillon) Flavor Boost Choose one or two: 1 1/2 teaspoons lime, lemon, or orange zest; 3/4 teaspoons chili powder; 3/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning; 3/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning; 3/4 teaspoon Old Bay® seasoning; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce; 2 tablespoons white miso paste; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger; 2 cloves minced garlic; 1 tablespoon snipped fresh herbs (dill weed, cilantro, chives, sage, parsley)...

To Store: Cool muffins completely. Place in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container; seal or cover tightly. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw muffins at room temperature if frozen. Split and serve as directed.

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup shortening or lard ¼ cup butter, cut up, or shortening or lard ¼ cup ice water

How to BBQ a Whole Chicken on a Charcoal Grill To cook a whole chicken on the grill, you’ll want to butterfly it first so more of the meat is in contact with grill grates. This allows the chicken to cook more quickly and will also help prevent the chicken from overcooking. Cut along each side of the backbone and remove it, and turn the chicken breast-side up. Open the two sides of the chicken, similar to a book, and lay it flat....

Both open and covered pergolas provide a beautiful setting for backyard barbecues, fire pits, hot tubs, and more. Ideal for climbing plants, DIY pergolas create an area of dappled sunlight that’s ideal for both relaxing and entertaining. You can make it as shady as you like by adding climbing plants and creepers, or by topping off the structure with fabric. The four corners of the pergola can also be anchored with planter boxes....

Try painting the birch plywood box and adding ash veneer tape to the edges to give your modular boxes a distinctive look. For a more colorful accent, paint the entire box. Or you can accent the birch plywood with walnut plugs and veneer. You’ll likely need several hours to build and finish seven boxes. Before you begin, assemble materials and prepare your work area. Then follow these steps to learn how to make DIY modular boxes....

Some older dishwashers have self-cleaning filters, which are similar to garbage disposals. However, the majority of modern dishwashers, including the most common models from Whirlpool, GE, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Samsung, Bosch, Kenmore, and LG, have manual dishwasher filters that you have to remove and clean yourself. If you’re unsure of your dishwasher filter type, check your owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Cleaning your dishwasher filter is an easy maintenance task that will help your appliance’s performance....

Daniel McCurry, owner of Father Nature Landscapes in Birmingham, Alabama, says you should discard the nectar and clean the feeder anytime the liquid in it appears cloudy or milky. “The higher the humidity, the faster [the nectar] goes bad for them,” McCurry explains. “When it becomes milky, it makes it taste funky for the birds, and they’ll move on to someone else’s garden.” Plus, “the mold that can grow in the hummingbird’s water can cause them to get a fungal infection,” he adds....

The most important thing to know is that the best way to clean a pizza stone does not involve soap and water. Common pizza stone materials, like ceramics and cordierite stone, are naturally porous, meaning soap could become a permanent part of your pizza flavoring if absorbed into the pizza stone. Similarly, you shouldn’t soak a pizza stone in water; the porous material will absorb the moisture, ultimately negating the crust-crisping characteristics of the pizza stone....

How to Clean and Disinfect a Kitchen Sponge Here are five ways to clean a kitchen sponge, including high heat, natural ingredients, and more. How to Clean a Sponge with Vinegar If you’re looking for an inexpensive, non-harmful, and biodegradable disinfectant, turn to vinegar. It can be used to clean your microwave, sink drains, showerhead, and, you guessed it, your grimy kitchen sponge. What You Need VinegarWarm water Step 1: Soak Sponge Soak sponge in full-strength vinegar for 5 minutes....

The best way to clean shoes varies depending on the material. Most footwear can be cleaned using a solution of mild dish soap and water, but certain types of shoes, including mesh sneakers and suede shoes, require special care to avoid damaging the material. We’ll walk you through how to use simple household items, such as baking soda, distilled white vinegar, and a toothbrush, to remove grime and discoloration from your footwear....

How to Clean Painted Walls The first thing you should consider when washing painted walls is the finish. If needed, reference our handy guide to paint finishes. Whether the finish is glossy or flat will determine how scrubbing will affect the look of the wall. How to Clean Walls with Flat Paint Duller paint finishes, including flat, satin, and eggshell finishes, are less durable when it comes to cleaning. Do not use harsh chemicals or degreasers when cleaning flat painted walls....

Skillet-Cooked Steak, Step-by-Step First, be sure you’re using a proper skillet. Use one that’s heavy and the right size for the amount of steak you’re cooking. A skillet that’s too large will cause the pan juices to burn. (These directions also apply to how to cook steak in a cast-iron skillet.) Add the steaks to the hot skillet and reduce the heat to medium.Do not add any liquid and do not cover the skillet—you don’t want to steam the steaks....