Curled-up leaf blades in the evening. Wilting blades during the highest heat of midday sun is not a good indicator; check the condition of the leaves in the evening.Blue-gray color instead of green.Footprints or lawn mower tire tracks remain visible long after being made. None of these signs indicate that grass is about to die. Turfgrass has the ability to turn brown and go dormant but stay alive for three to four weeks....

Your Long-Term Pantry Here is where you’ll store anything that will last for a very long time on a shelf, when properly packaged. Transfer grains and legumes into jars or bins with tight-fitting lids for longer storage. Dried goods Beyond cans and jars, these dried items are a must for creating your favorite Mexican-inspired recipes Dried beans: black, pinto (the basis for our refried beans), small red, white Dried corn husks to wrap tamales Dried chiles such as: Ancho Chipotle Guajillo Mulato Pasilla Lentils...

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup shortening ¼ - ⅓ cup ice water FOR THE FILLING: 1 15 ounce can pumpkin 8 ounce extra-firm silken tofu ½ cup pure maple syrup 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 2 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon salt FOR THE TOPPING 1 15 ounce can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight ¼ cup powdered sugar

½ cup whipping cream 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) orange liqueur or orange juice (optional) Icy Orange and Mocha Drink: Prepare as above, except cover and chill coffee mixture for up to 3 days. Serve chilled in tall glasses over ice.

The 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study involved more than 2,000 homeowners who had completed a kitchen remodel in the previous 12 months, were currently working on one or planned to start a project in the next three months. The results show that countertops were the most popular feature to upgrade, with 88% of respondents incorporating the project into their kitchen remodel. Updates to backsplashes and sinks followed closely, with 83% and 80%, respectively....

“My family was a huge motivator into looking into homes,” says Jose, who was looking for a place not only for himself, but also his parents, brothers, and dog. His situation growing up influenced the home he wanted for his family. “We didn’t have a lot. We had to sleep on the floor on mattresses,” he says. “I always envisioned myself later in the future owning a home, where we would have lots of space, where we would have room for everybody....

So how do you measure sugar correctly? Follow along as we show you how to measure sugar of every type, including granulated sugar, powdered sugar (aka confectioners’ sugar), and brown sugar. Yes, there are some differences between these, and our Test Kitchen tips are here to guide you. We’ll also cover which cups and tools you should use for all sugar measurements. How to Measure Sugar Before learning how to measure sugar, you need the right measuring tools....

Must-See DIY Coffee Tables Why Birch? We love the look of birch. It’s smooth, light in tone and texture, and easy to handle. For this project, we used 34 birch logs, each about three to four inches in diameter. Use a miter saw to cut the logs to size, or pay a nominal fee at a lumber store to have the logs cut for you. Here are a couple of online suppliers of unfinished birch: firewood....

Note: Our window boxes are designed to fit nicely under a 36-inch wide window. How to Install a Window Box What You Need 1" x 8" x 8’ cedar board1" x 6" x 6’ cedar board1 qt. exterior polyurethane sealer1-5/8" outdoor deck screws120 grit sandpaperMiter sawTable saw or jigsawDrill/Driver1/8" drill bit for pilot holes1/4" drill bit for drainage holesTape measureProtractorOutdoor rated wood glue Step 1: Make Cuts Cut box bottom, back, and front to length....

How to Make an Outdoor Movie Screen All it takes is a few PVC pipes, a drop cloth, and some basic tools to make this movie screen. Start popping the popcorn now, because you’ll be done building it in no time. Supplies Needed HacksawThree 1-1/4-inch PVC pipe, 10-foot length eachTwo 1-1/4-inch PVC pipe elbowsTwo 1-1/4-inch PVC pipe T-jointsScissors6x9-foot canvas drop clothAdhesive hook-and-loop tapeTwo U-channel postsHammer Step-by-Step Directions Follow these steps to assemble the pipe frame and attach the drop-cloth screen....

How to Make Cornhole Boards Start building your regulation cornhole boards in the morning, and they’ll be done by the time your backyard barbeque kicks off that night. Supplies Needed Table sawSheet of 1/2 x 48 x 96-inch AB plywood(5) 2 x 4 x 96–inch plywood boardsTape measureCompassPencilJigsawWood clampsMiter sawSandpaper and/or routerTack clothPower drill with bits (Philips, pilot, and 3/8-inch)3-inch deck screwsWood puttyPutty knifeWood glueNail gun with nailsPrimerPaintbrush or foam rollerPaint(4) 1/8-inch wood shim(4) 3/8-inch carriage bolts(8) 3/8-inch fender washers(8) 3/8-inch lock nuts...

Duvet inserts come in many different weights and materials, as well as a wide range of price points. To help you pick the best duvet insert, we’ve outlined all the things you need to consider before purchasing a duvet. But First: Comforters vs. Duvets When comparing duvets and comforters, duvets outperform comforters in regards to design options. Comforters, however, can offer more convenience. Since duvets are neutral (mostly white) blankets that require a cover, they don’t offer much in regards to style....

However, cleaning your home’s air filters will only get you so far. If the filter is excessively dirty, torn, or otherwise damaged, it’s time to replace your air filter. You should also note that disposable air filters (which are typically set in a cardboard frame) are generally not meant to be cleaned and should be replaced when they become dirty. Cleaning works best with reusable filters, like this washable electrostatic furnace and AC filter ($24, Lowe’s)....

How to Cook Yams Regardless of what you call them, yams (or sweet potatoes) are delicious in both savory and sweet dishes. For side dishes, they’re often boiled or baked (peeled or unpeeled). They can be added to soups, stews, and braises. Sometimes boiled yams are mashed to serve as a side dish, or for use as an ingredient in quick breads and pies. Read on for instructions on how to cook yams in a variety of ways, so you can enjoy them in your favorite recipes....

A flat roof is usually slightly sloped. It may be covered with a granular roll roofing, EPDM (which is smooth surfaced), or modified bitumen (which may be smooth or mineral surfaced). Some flat roofs have hot tar built-up roofing, which may have a gravel surface. If you live in an arid region or an older urban area, you may have a large flat roof. Suburban homes sometimes have small flat sections....

Banquettes are appealing in homes for the same reasons some people prefer booths in restaurants. They provide more privacy and intimacy than stand-alone tables and chairs. Besides the standard restaurant booth setup, banquette design options include U shapes, L shapes, semicircles, and hybrids that combine bench seats and chairs. Although box seats work especially well in recessed areas, you can build a banquette flush against a wall. Check out our planning tips for designing an attractive, functional banquette....

Watering Indoor Citrus Trees Overwatering is the number one killer of citrus. The soil needs to dry out between deep waterings: A moisture meter ($15, The Home Depot) should read three fully inserted in the soil. When your plant needs more hydration, drench its soil until water runs from the pot’s drainage hole. Suction up any water in the saucer with a turkey baster to prevent a soggy bottom and root rot....

Plant Lavender in Well-Drained Alkaline Soil Most herbs grow best in well-drained soil that easily allows water to pass through it. Lavender might be the most particular in its need for good drainage! Lavender roots need many spaces between soil particles to breathe and grow, so it is well suited to sandy or rocky soil. If your garden has heavy clay soil that retains moisture, lavender roots simply rot and die....

Supplies Required Wheelbarrow or large plastic tubRubber glovesFace maskPortland cementPerlite or vermiculiteSphagnum peat mossPolypropylene fiber (available online or building supply retailers)Mold of your choiceSheet plastic or plastic garbage bagsDowelsKnife or chiselWire brush Step 1: Create Mixture In a wheelbarrow or tub, while wearing rubber gloves and a face mask, mix 2 parts portland cement, 3 parts perlite or vermiculite, 3 parts sphagnum peat moss (sift or break up clumps with your hands), and a handful of polypropylene fiber, which helps strengthen the planter....