Tips for Growing Lilies?
Assuming you mean stop flowering for the season (versus stop all together), leave them in place because the stalk helps transfer nutrients from the sun down to the bulb. Only remove the stalk when it has browned. You can always plant a nice groundcover at the...
Pistol Grip Spray Can Handle for Arthritis Sufferers
There also are many different styles of faucets (and cabinet hardware) and some with levers are easier on the hands than others. Luckily, the manufacturers are realizing the need for this. Just say this article on the topic: http://www.dynamic-living.com/article...
Painting a Faux Granite Counter Top
Fabulous. Youve given me inspiration, but Im not sure I could achieve the same results.
How Property Laws Affect Gardeners
Wow. Didnt know there were all these regulations, the compost one is surprising, but I bet its rarely enforced.
Prepping for Winter
Im in Chicago and am already dreading all the work to winterize the house and plants.
Advice on Lawn Fertilization?
It all depends on the type of grass and, of course, your climate. Heres a good link with info: http://www.allaboutlawns.com/lawn-maintenance-care/fertilizing/when-should-i-fertilize-my-lawn.php
Garden: Dahlias
Gorgeous. They really like sun and heat, I believe, as Ive had trouble growing them in the Midwest.
Ideas for Landscaping a Steep Hill?
Ive seen some really cool waterfalls where you add rocks and make a stream that flows down to follow the natural flow of the land. Youd need some kind of water pump, but otherwise, its just the boulders, rocks, etc.
Decorating a Baby's Room on a Budget?
Paint is an inexpensive home improvement project. Then add a stencil or draw mouse ears by hand (and avoid the overpriced Disney items). You can also add words in fun lettering on the walls to spell out Mickey related words. A collage with images cut out of...
Install Dimmer Switch in Bedroom
Great idea. I was just thinking we need it in our den so we can lower the lights for the TV at night, but then turn it up during the day for the kids playing games.
Paint Color Ideas to Brighten Kitchen?
You could go with a golden tan that brings in a hint of yellow or do sage or celery and go green, both will lighten the space.
Getting Rid Of Grubs?
Weve used nematodes from a local nursery. You cant see them, but they come in a jar and you spread it on the lawn. Heres a link with more info: http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/whitegrub.html
Companion Planting in the Vegetable Garden?
Im not sure about what to put in it, but I just saw this on building a raised bed. Hope it helps! http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/2009/06/how-to-build-raised-vegetable-garden.html
Paint Color Advice for a Kitchen With Dark Cabinets and White Appliances?
I like sage as well, but I also would consider painting the cabinets. An off white or cream would soften the space and bring it up to date. Heres a good step by step. I havent had time to do mine yet, but they need it! http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice...
Backsplash Ideas for Faux Granite Countertops?
You could really use any material as long as youre coordinating the colors with the countertop. What color is the countertop? If it has cream and black or brown, try using a varying shade of the cream in rustic stone looking tile. If you like more contemporary...
Understanding Butterfly Behavior?
We bought three butterfly bushes a few years ago and they are really taking off. Its amazing how they really do attract butterflies. Heres a good link on the topic: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/Detailed/817.shtml
Paint Color Advice for a Blue and White Bathroom?
How about cream/yellow, something that goes with the tone of blue. You also could do a soft blue that is 2-3 shades lighter than the countertop.
Creating A Garden Weather Station
Great ideas. A rain gauge could help me with gardening, as I sometimes tend to over water!
Choosing Living Room Furniture?
Agree with the size of the room post and looking at all the colors in the room. Ive seen some dark leather groupings soften a lot with the right throw pillows. You also can mix up things with a different ottoman.
Revamping a Small Patio?
First, dig out the existing and decide if you want to enlarge or not. Im a big fan of curves instead of straight square or rectangular patios. Look through landscaping books from the library. If you want to expand, dig out extra area to 6 inches deep (hiring...
Paint One Side of Steps at a Time
Just remember to start on the top step so you dont have to walk over your work! LOL.
Keeping Outdoor Play Equipment Clean and...
Also check to make sure your swing set is sturdy enough. We made ours from a kit from a home improvement store and its fine except when several kids are on it and trying to swing high. When we had a contractor doing other work on the house, we had him inspect...
Can I Fertilize in Hot Weather?
I wouldnt. The plants are under enough stress just keeping their roots wet and not drying out. I typically stop fertilizing around the beginning of August and Im in a cold weather climate.
Growing a Perennial Herb Garden
Great tips. Heres more on herb gardens: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/growing-an-herb-garden.shtml
How Do I Grow Lavender?
You definitely need a sunny spot. I have some in a semi-sunny spot and its just not doing great. Heres more: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-grow-Lavender
Plants for Shady Garden?
You cant go wrong with hosta, but look beyond the basic green ones. There are varigated ones that add such a nice look, and can brighten up a shady spot. Also try huchera and ferns. Things may take longer to grow, but when cared for well, they will grow. Heres...
Pruning and Rejuvenating Overgrown Lilacs
Great advice. I cant bear to do the hard pruning, but the other methods would work.
Use Vintage Knobs as Curtain Finials
Great tips, Im tired of paying for all those finials. Ive also done the styrofoam ball and it works great, but you do have to finesse the fabric so you dont see the ball.
Inexpensive Countertop and Backsplash Ideas?
The cheapest way to do countertops is laminate. There are many standard sizes sold in home stores, assuming your countertop fits the standard size and you dont need extra cuts, etc. For the back splash, I would use paint. You could do a faux finish. Or, if...
Decorating a Guest Bedroom?
I once took an old decorative picture frame that didnt have a picture in it and put part of a fabric remnant inside it. I stapled it from the back and it made a nice piece of art to hang up.
How to Bring Light Into Shady Garden Spaces
Great advice, will try some of these under our tree. I like the light colored rocks idea in particular.
Kitchen Countertops and Flooring That Coordinate With Dark Oak Cabinets?
If youre going to go dark with the countertop, I would go light with the floor (assuming you dont mind the extra work to keep them clean). Perhaps something with a cream pattern?
Using Milk Jugs in the Garden?
I tried this for a slow watering concept, but the squirrels kept knocking them down!
Wildlife: Butterflies
We have three butterfly bushes and they doing great this year, a real treat. There also are many more plants that will attract them. Heres a link with more: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/Detailed/817.shtml
Prevent Identity Theft
Great tips. I recently had someone try to use one of my credit cards and still dont know how they got the number. Luckily it didnt go through.
Painting Over Varnish Without Sanding?
I would sand what you can with a small sander and then use an attachment to try to get what you can of the decorative parts. You could hand sand the rest, but it will get old fast.
Pruning a Blue Spruce Tree?
Heres a link on pruning. A few thoughts, when it was planted were the roots given plenty of room to grow, was the soil free from too much clay? http://www.gardenguides.com/98086-prune-spruce-trees.html
Furniture Placement and Color Schemes for Combo Rooms?
I think you need one of the love seats to separate the kitchen area from the fireplace area. While its tempting to put it on an angle with the fireplace, that would take up too much space, so I would put it parallel with the kitchen and then put another one...
Carpet Color to Coordinate With a Red Couch?
Beige, but dont just focus on the couch, think about the other floors around it. Are they wood, ceramic? Make sure all the tones blend.
Garden: Under the Trumpets
Love it. I just ordered some trumpets for next year, I have other lilies, but not this type. Cant wait!
How and When to Prune Your Clematis
It is tricky to remember, so I keep them listed on a spreadsheet, along with when I fertilize them....good way to keep track of lots of plants without going crazy.
Eating Fruits Grown Where Cats Have Pooped?
Im not sure if its technically safe, but I wouldnt try it.
Planting a Cutting from a Butterfly Bush?
I think youd have better luck growing them from cuttings, where you put it in vermiculite and water/mist it. Heres a link for more: http://www.savvygardener.com/Features/flowers_from_cuttings.html
Painting A Room Two Colors?
I would use one of the colors as an accent on one wall. In this case, the darker pink, as otherwise the room might be too dark if 3 walls are the dark pink. It also depends on your bedding, though. If it is mainly the orange, then you might want the pink on...
Reasons Container Plants Fail
I never thought of how important it is to feed them regularly. Thanks for the tips. Just did more research and found another article that also goes into the whole drainage thing: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/liven-up-your-patio-or-balcony-with-a-container...
Removing Aphids Organically?
I have heard that a dish soap and water spray works on roses, but have not tried it. Worth a shot!
Rock Garden
Its fabulous. What you have to add now is some kind of trickling waterfall and some lighting for the evening.
Keeping Squirrels out of Your Bird Feeder?
I have that feeder with the shield that slides down, got it at Home Depot. It works well, but be careful when you open the top and fill it. There are little springs that will wear out if you stretch them too much when holding back the lid. Then it doesnt work...
Paint Color Advice to Coordinate With Dark Salmon Accent Wall Color?
Another thought is to do some decorative/faux painting either on the salmon wall only (to diffuse the salmon a little) or on the other walls to mask the color coordination a little. If youre mixing two colors in a ragging technique, for example, it wont be...
Refurbishing A Faded Patio Umbrella
What a great idea. I would have thought the paint would crack with the constant opening and closing of the umbrella, but it doesnt seem that way.
Simple Ways to Manage Energy Costs
We added insulation in our attic and I was amazed at how much it helped with temperature control not only in the winter but the summer. Its about 7 degrees cooler on the first floor. Heres a neat diagram that explains where you need insulation, it can help...
Keep Your Home Clean and Green
I give our cats a bath with allergy shampoo from the vet every 2-3 weeks and it makes a big difference, along with the HEPA vacuum.
Can I Use Higher Watt Bulbs Than That Recommended on a Lamp?
Agree. I have had a few electricians warn me about not using too much wattage. Better to buy a different lamp that can take more power.
How Gardeners Can Help Monarch Butterflies
Wow. I had no idea this was happening. Ive been planting more plants that help attract butterflies, just because I like them, but that obviously is not enough. Heres a good overview on which plants to pick. http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/Detailed/817...
My Frugal Life: Reusing Plastic Grocery Bags
I also take ours into our daughters daycare, as they use them to send dirty clothes home in.
Raised Garden Bed
Great idea, as you dont have to worry about whats under your soil at ground level, clay in our case! Heres more on that: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/Detailed/751.shtml
My Frugal Life: My Garden Costs Almost Nothing
I love plant swaps, a great way to save money and find some interesting plants. In fact, one plant swap got me hooked on fragrance. Makes me wonder why I bought some roses that are not fragrant, seems like a waste! Heres a good link on adding fragrance to a...
Tape Manual to Back of Appliance
Great idea. I do this with stereo equipment when moving. I put a diagram of how the wires hook up, works for cable and VCRs, too.
Use Vinyl Tablecloth as Curtain to Keep Out Heat
Ive used heavy lined drapes to do the same thing in our sunroom. Another option is to build some kind of overhang by the back door to keep sun away and help keep you dry from rain.
Landscaping Your Mailbox
The other thing to think about is how careful the mail carrier is when delivering the mail. Some are busy or just in a hurry and wont necessarily want to work around your plants.
Taking Care of Paint Brushes?
I always rinse then thoroughly with water (if latex paint) or paint thinner (if oil paint) and then wrap them loosely in newspaper. After they are dry, put them in a coffee can with the bristles up. The key is getting all the paint out of the rollers, although...
Tips for Gardening With Small Children
What a great article. Ive been gardening with my daughters forever and they really have an appreciation for nature and can tell you the differences between different flowers and shrubs.
Leaves on Clematis Turning Black?
It typically is clematis wilt. Get clean pruners (wipe them with bleach and water before and then after) and trim out the infected sections right away, anytime you see it, get it early before it spreads or youll have to cut the whole thing off. It will come...
Painting Walls Different Colors in a Bedroom?
I agree with one wall as an accent. You dont want to create confusion by having too many focal points. Another option is to do some faux/decorative painting, either the whole room or just one wall as an accent. http://www.oldhouseweb.com/architecture-and-design...
Drying Time for Kilz Primer Before Sanding?
Im not sure why youre sanding after priming? You should really do any wall repair and get it where you want it and then prime. Otherwise, the primer tends to lock in the stuff you want to sand.
Removing Wallpaper Border Before Painting?
I typically use DIF. You mix it with water and then spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes (but not too long) and then peel away. Heres more: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/stripping-wallpaper.shtml
Something is Eating My Impatiens?
Will that also work on roses? Ive been using the chemical sprays, which I dont like to do, but it beats having your plants eaten away.
Dead Heading Roses?
I deadhead whenever I see them or do several at a time. I think it speeds up the next bloom, but cant say for sure. I does make them look neater, though.
Preventing Dirt Under Your Finger Nails
Great idea! I also use latex gloves under my gardening gloves and sometimes that helps.
How to Grow Dazzling Dahlias
I love the color variation. Will have to check these out at the nursery.
Gardening: Fertilize With Banana Peels
Ill have to try this, is there a limit to how much you should use or how often?
Cleaning a Birdbath?
I think a little bleach is fine, as you will be rinsing it out and the bleach evaporates anyway. Just keep a scrub brush handy. I hide one behind some plants, and keep it brushed every few days.
Covering a Bathroom Window?
Agree that youll want some light in there, so go with the frosted glass concept.
Paint Color Ideas for Kitchen Cabinets?
You also have to look at the countertop and floor so that it all coordinates. You could do black, brown or a cherry look if you want a darker cabinet. Or,go with a cream or off white, whichever fits with the green tiles. White will be harder to keep clean. Heres...
Smart and Thrifty Curb Appeal Ideas
It is amazing how great your house can look with just some simple fixes, like trimming the bushes and cleaning the porch or steps, and adding a few flower pots.
Use Cucumber and Aluminum to Deter Slugs and Grubs
Its worth a try, but I also tried leaving containers of beer and that one didnt work. I am tired of sprinkling those pellets around the plants, though.
Garden: Day Lilies
The trick is to space out the color by picking ones that bloom at different times and then clump the same ones together in mass. Youll get waves of color throughout the summer.
The 3 Important Tips for New Organic...
Now if we could only buy plants in containers that could be recycled! And, dont forget to try composting. Heres a link with more on that: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/starting-a-compost-pile.shtml
Paint Color Advice to Coordinate with Turquoise Carpet?
I would also go with the taupe, but are you sure youll always keep that carpet color?
Plants Look Bad After Transplanting?
It really depends on the plant, but in general you dont want to move them when they are in bloom or on a hot day as that adds stress to the plant. Otherwise, did you use root stimulator in the hole? Add in compost and keep them well watered for a few weeks...
Restain Old Kitchen Cabinets
Youre right. There are lots of ways to do it, depending on the condition. I love stain, but find it harder than painting so I like to go the painting route. Either way, its a new kitchen. http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/painting-kitchen-cabinets.shtml
Bathroom Paint Color Advice to Tone Down Pink Countertop?
How about adding decorative elements on the countertops so you block most of it?
Kitchen Counters to Go With Beige Stone Floor and Medium Wood Cabinets?
I think you need a little contrast. It could be as bold as a burgundy or cranberry or more subtle with a sage or blue. Then for the backsplash, use a similar color to your floor for most of the tile, then pull in the countertop color in speckles or randomly...
Use Removable Inserts In Birdbath
Wow. I will have to try that, as I also hate having to scrub all the algae.
Tips For Transplanting Seedlings Into the...
It is so hard to do, though. Sending them into the harsh world out there. The cloudy day does help, though. Avoid that bright sunlight.
Garden: Jasmine
Wow. Well worth saving. I have one in a pot that I take inside during the winter in our climate, but its only about 30 percent of what you have. Fabulous!
Color Ideas for a Bathroom With Cream Fixtures?
I also like cream and burgundy. You just have to stick with earth tones versus real bold primary colors. If you want less contrast, go with a deeper cream that is about 2 shades darker than the fixtures.
Getting Your Garden Ready for the Growing Season
Great tips, especially about the mulch. It really does help to get it in place and keep the weeds out. Heres a link I found on planning a garden site-- good ideas. http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/planning-a-garden.shtml
Keeping Dogs Out Of Flower Beds
I like the dog run area - you really cant fight it, they are dogs, so give them a place to run - away from your flowers!
Hardware Choice for a Kitchen With Stainless Appliances?
Not if you dont want to. As long as you try to blend the finish so its close, go with a satin nickel or brushed chrome and youll be fine.
Keep Lower Windows Closed In Hot Weather
Will have to try this one, although I have some that wont open from both ways, but thats the breaks of an old house!
Using Bleach as a Weed Killer?
Agree with the vinegar route. We might try it this year, as our dandelions are already out of control.
What is the Best Exposure for a Rhododendron?
Also, make sure its protected during the winter from winds or cold. Plant where you have a fence or building to protect it from the winds.
How Do I Supply Power to an Outdoor Spa and Waterfall?
My guess is that youll need to go underground, which will be expensive and tear apart your yard. I would call an electrician. They could probably give you an idea over the phone. Is there a closer place to put the spa?
How Do I Propagate Hydrangeas?
Steps above are great! It does take a few attempts. I took some cuttings last summer and they looked great. I planted them in the fall and it doesnt look like they are making it. Might have been our cold winter, not sure.
Tree Removal Advice?
I dont think that will be enough. Plus its not very safe, as you want to guide where the tree falls. Depending on the size, you might consider calling a tree service.
Buying Mistake Paint For Less Than Half Price?
Just check the date to make sure its not too old. They are usually in a big bin by the paint mixing area.
Keeping Mice Out of My House?
Ive heard they dislike steel wool, so it you put it in cracks they wont come in. But, in the end, the cat is the key. Not all cats are mousers, however. We have two and one is and the other is not!
Hiding Furniture Imperfections and Upholstery Damage
Ive also used throws to drape over chairs. Looks decorate and you can move it around based on where the spills are!
