Bradford Pear Tree History and Issues Bradford pear was introduced in the mid-1960s and soon became the most popular cultivar of callery pear (Pyrus calleryana). In fact, it’s so popular that the two terms are pretty much used interchangeably by the public. It was a favorite of landscapers and municipal planners alike. The trees were covered in white flowers in spring and you could look forward to pretty fall foliage as well....

According to a recent survey by Mattress Advisor, the average person changes their sheets about every 24 days. But that’s not the best schedule for optimal hygiene and freshness. How often you should wash your sheets depends on a few factors, but some general rules work for most people. Read on to learn exactly how often to wash your sheets and how to preserve their freshness if you decide to bend the rules a bit....

With the release of the fourth season of their Netflix show, Dream Home Makeover, on December 9, Better Homes & Gardens caught up with Syd and Shea to discuss what they’re most excited for viewers to see in the new season, how they get that Studio McGee look, and more. Packing Drama (the Visual Kind) into Season Four of Dream Home Makeover “I think we have a really fun variety of projects that we’re showcasing this season, from one of our team members’ homes to an old pioneer home and even our Airstream,” Shea says....

What to Look For in the Best Cookie Sheets Are the cookie sheets in your cupboard up to par? (Hint: They should have these three key characteristics.) If not, it’s time to go shopping and ensure your new ones do. Stick with Light: Use cookie sheets that are a light to medium color. (Don’t go too dark—dark-color pans absorb more heat and can cause your cookies to overbake.) Don’t worry about shiny and nonstick surfaces; they won’t affect your results....

Depending on if you live in a rainy area or your porch lacks shade, you’ll need to choose between water-resistant and waterproof fabrics for your pillows and cushions. Knowing the different kinds of outdoor fabrics will help you to stay within your budget, and prevent your pillows from fading in the sunlight or being ruined by rain. This quick guide will help you choose the best outdoor fabrics for your porch or patio....

Types of Plant Grow Lights LED and fluorescent bulbs both produce full-spectrum light that plants need to grow. There are many plant light kits on the market that include LED or fluorescent bulbs, but an LED system ($46, The Home Depot) offers several advantages that make them the better choice. For starters, although LED bulbs cost more than fluorescents at purchase time, they use half the electricity fluorescents require and last five times longer than the average fluorescent bulb....

Copper sinks, because they are used so regularly, develop a patina quickly, but also very likely experience spotting and stripping of the patina. Neither of those changes to the color of the copper sink is cause for alarm; changes to the patina do not indicate that the sink is damaged. It’s simply the nature of copper. How Often to Clean a Copper Sink When it comes to the frequency with which to clean a copper sink, there is good news and bad news....

But because they are so ubiquitous, Apple Watches get worn constantly and the band gets dirty over time. Dust, sweat, lotion, food, and dirt can affect the way your watch band looks and dull or discolor the material. Regular cleaning at least once every two weeks will help maintain its fresh-out-of-the-box appearance. How to Clean an Apple Watch Band Apple Watch bands come in various materials, including leather, wood, silicone, and stainless steel....

How to Cook Fresh Spinach Before you start cooking spinach, you’ll want to work with about 1 pound of spinach at a time (it should equal about 12 cups torn). It may seem like a lot, but it cooks down to a much smaller volume. Thoroughly wash and drain spinach. Remove stems and tear leaves into pieces, as desired. If you’re using baby spinach, the stems generally do not need to be removed, as they’re more tender....

Black Peppercorns You’re likely familiar with this one. Black peppercorns start as green peppercorns before getting cooked and dried into the wrinkled little fruits you know. There are several varieties, but Tellicherry and Lampong are the most common. Kampot peppercorns ($12, The Spice House) from Cambodia are also an up-and-coming variety according to Alex Wilkens, operations manager at The Spice House. Use black peppercorn to season steaks, gravies, or to top any dish that could use a punch of spice....

The process begins mid to late summer as Gloria strolls through her garden in search of viable candidates. “You should cut the blooms as soon as they feel papery and less supple than they were earlier in the season,” she says. The papery stage typically occurs at least six weeks after the flowers open, although sunlight can hasten maturity. Follow along with Gloria’s process for a no-fail way to dry hydrangeas....

Note: If the wall must run parallel to the joists, see detailed instructions below. Lay the top plate on the floor next to the bottom plate. Mark identical spots on each board at 16-inch intervals. Hold the studs in place one at a time and nail them into place through the top plate. (If any of the studs are warped, turn them so that the imperfect end is at the bottom....

Ripe avocados are a nutritional powerhouse loaded with heart-healthy monosaturated fats and vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, D, E, and magnesium. To reap the benefits avocados have to offer while at their peak ripeness, use these tips when freezing avocados. How to Freeze Avocados in Halves or Quarters Before you start, ensure you’re washing your hands for 20 seconds, as the USDA recommends. Editor’s tip: If you have a vacuum sealer ($60, Sur La Table), this would be a great way to seal those avocados before freezing....

How to Care for Potted Easter Lilies Native to Japan, Easter lilies have spread across the globe, thanks to their beguiling blooms and strong fragrance. In the United States, you’ll most commonly see these plants for sale in the spring, when the potted bulbs have been forced in greenhouses to bloom earlier than they would naturally (Easter lilies actually bloom in summer). Look for plants that have just one or two flowers open, with several closed buds on the stem, along with plenty of healthy green foliage....

Basics of Growing Berries in Containers Sun requirements: All fruiting plants, whether you’re growing berries in pots or in the ground, produce the most berries in full sun. Provide at least 6 to 8 hours of sun per day. Water needs: Berries in containers need more water than plants in the ground. Because terra-cotta is a breathable material, plants in those containers dry out even faster than those planted in plastic or ceramic pots....

Growing Dill in Your Garden Dill is easy to start from seed and grows best when planted outdoors. Choose a location with full sun—at least eight hours of direct sunlight per day—and well-drained soil. If your soil holds water thanks to heavy clay, dig organic matter (such as compost) into the top few inches to help drainage. You don’t need to plant dill in rows. If you want dill plants to self-sow, plant them in clumps where the seeds can drop and grow the following year....

Raw chicken, along with all raw meat, can carry bacteria, and when you rinse it with your faucet or sprayer in the sink, you risk splashing those bacteria all around your kitchen. The bacteria can splash down into your sink, and water with bacteria from the meat could splash on your counters, your clothes, and other food or utensils nearby. Any of those surfaces can become contaminated, and give you and your family food poisoning....

Banish bacteria for good by installing a hands-free kitchen faucet. The device is motion-activated, so it will register your hand movements and automatically turn on when you need a wash. It’s a win-win situation: You’ll save time and water—all while boosting your health! Plus, a touchless faucet is fairly simple to install. More Disgusting Home Objects You’re Forgetting to Clean What You Need No-touch faucet and included hardware (we used the Arbor kitchen faucet from Moen) Batteries Drill 3/32 drill bit Screwdriver Adjustable wrench Tape measure...

Urethane foam trim is light, paintable, easy to cut, and will never rot—ideal for exteriors. The trim shown here can be purchased at a home center. If you need more choices, check online sources. You may need to measure your door and order the header—the horizontal piece at the top—at a specific length. The casing (the vertical parts that replace the brick molding) can be cut to size. To add trim to an entry door will take most of a day....

Cut Lilacs Strategically The best time for cutting lilacs is early in the morning when they’re fully hydrated. Use sharp, clean pruning shears to sever the stems, then immediately plunge them into a bucket of cool water. Try to cut the stems long enough so you can re-trim them every day to help maximize their vase life. If it’s a warm day, get your flowers indoors into cooler temperatures as soon as possible....