How to Care for Ornamental Grasses Through the Seasons

Leave your grasses standing through winter, then cut them back in spring before the new growth gets going. That way you could have a fourth season of enjoyment from your grasses. Leaving up the seed headsmay also attract hungry birdsin winter. Fountain grass lives up to its name with sprays of soft seed heads appearing in summer.Credit: Marty Baldwin Use electric hedge trimmers for larger grasses or where the clumps have grown very dense....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 181 words · Eric Mayer

How to Care for Pothos

This tough houseplant is almost impossible to kill. With its showy foliage in glossy shades of green, gold, and white,pothoscomplements any home setting. In most configs, each leaf can reach up to 4 inches long. Credit: Dean Schoeppner Several varieties offer cream or golden variegation. Pothos is a member of the aroid family (Araceae). The variegation may be less intense in low light. Credit: Dean Schoeppner Pothos is toxic to humans and pets....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 367 words · Christopher Carpenter

How to Carve a Ham, According to Our Test Kitchen Experts

Leftovers are incredibly versatile, too. (More on that shortly.) Clearly, its a wise idea to go ham every so often. Credit:Jason Donnelly. Food Styling: Holly Dreesman. Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek Food Styling: Holly Dreesman. Focus on safety, she advises. If the cut just contains the femur, its usually labeled as a ham shank. Credit:Jason Donnelly Simply skip step 2 if youre wondering how to carve a ham shank. Test Kitchen Tip:Dont toss those bones!...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 166 words · Eugene Sims

How to Carve a Pumpkin That Looks Professional

Get the scoop on how to carve a pumpkin this Halloween, so you might create jack-o'-lanterns with ease. For many of us, it wouldn’t be Halloween without a collection ofcarved pumpkins on the front porch. Once you’ve picked your gourd, we’ll show you how to make a carved pumpkin. Credit: Matthew Benson Keep it simpleyou don’t have to hit the pumpkin patch to find a great gourd. Avoid pumpkins with surface rotting or soft spots....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 299 words · Rebecca Day

How to Carve Pumpkin Flames for a Campfire-Inspired Display

Do you hear a campfire crackling? Use our free pumpkin stencils to make this pumpkin-carved displaywell show you how! These pumpkins blaze in a brilliant bonfire. Credit: Blaine Moats Then, add votives to set your fire ablaze. So, gather around to tell ghost stories, eat sweet treats, andcelebrate the fall. Dont worry, you’re free to get as close as you like. Credit:Helen Norman All youll need is a few basic carving tools, our template, and some patience....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 211 words · Nicholas Smith

How to Caulk a Bathtub or Shower

Prevent mold growth and water damage in the bathroom by caulking a bathtub or shower. Use this guide to keep your tub and shower looking clean, fresh, and mildew-free. Not every caulk is suitable for the amount of moisture in a shower or tub. Credit: David Tsay Generally, bathroom caulk falls into two categories, silicone and latex. Silicone is a better option for protecting against moisture, but latex caulk is easier to work with....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 291 words · Danielle Brooks

How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Traditions Respectfully

Theres more to the holiday than tacos and tequila. Learn how to celebrate Cinco de Mayo respectfully with MasterChef judge and author Claudia Sandoval. So how did the holiday become such a large celebration in the United States? Credit: Foxys_forest_manufacture/Getty Images When they came to America, they brought their customs and holidaysincluding Cinco de Mayo traditions. Here is how to celebrate Cinco de Mayo respectfully. Her family is from Mexico, and she grew up learning how to cook traditional Mexican dishes....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 353 words · Denise Garcia

How to Celebrate Santa Lucia Day the Traditional Swedish Way

The Swedish Santa Lucia Festival is held on December 13 to bring light and hope during the winter solstice. Who Was St. Lucy? Santa Lucia’s Day originated in Scandinavian countries. Credit: Lena K. / 500px / Getty Images In fact, the name Lucia comes from the Latin word “lux,” meaning “light.” Today, there are St. Lucy dolls (remember the iconic Kirsten American Girl Doll? ), figurines, and ornaments. How Have Traditions Changed Over the Years?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 273 words · Jessica Stewart

How to Change a Doorknob Quickly for an Updated Look

You might even want to take the old knob with you for comparison. Start by removing the two screws that hold the knob in place on one side of the door. For some knobs, you’ll need to remove screws from the other side as well. Credit:BHG / Michela Buttignol Both knobs should come off along with the plate that covers the hole in the door. Step 2: Pull Out the Latch If the latch stays in, slide it out....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 260 words · Cody Williams

How to Change a Pool Light

Use your pool long after the sun goes down thanks to our guide for replacing a pool light. Also, verify to keep track of tools, fasteners, and other equipment in the vicinity. Head to the breaker box for the home and locate the switch that controls the pool equipment. Credit:Cherdchanok Treevanchai / Getty Images Flip the breaker switch to turn off the power. Next, use aflat-head screwdriverto carefully pry the light fixture out of the light box....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 234 words · Kimberly Garcia

How to Choose a Bathtub and the Best Bathtub Material

Taking a bath is the ultimate in relaxation, but buying a bathtub can be fraught with stress. For one, there’s a dizzying array of bathtub dimensions and shapes. Before you decide on a new model or startrefinishingyour existing tub, take time to answer these critical questions. Credit: Stephan Julliard Questions to Ask Before Buying a Bathtub How do you plan to use your tub? Your answer determines whether you need an inexpensive, bare-bones design or a higher-quality bath with upgrades....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 524 words · Kim Gordon

How to Choose a Christmas Tree Everyone Will Love

Ditch the sad Charlie Brown Christmas trees with these must-know tips for how to choose a Christmas tree. Picking out a live Christmas tree is one of the mostclassic holiday traditionsthere is. This year, don’t settle for a small, scraggly Charlie Brown tree. Credit: JackF/Getty Images We’ll show you how to choose a Christmas tree that will last throughout the holiday season! Mark Chisholm is an arborist and STIHL spokesman....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 529 words · Jennifer Mcknight

How to Choose a Front Door Color for Your Brick House

If you choose links we provide, we may receive compensation. Enhance the beauty of your brick facade with these popular front door colors. These simple steps will help you land on the perfect hue for your home. Credit: Julie Soefer Tap a Professional for Help Because brick is a natural material, variations in color frequently exist. Just be sure totest color matchesbefore painting! Do certain combinations stand out to you?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 235 words · Tina Davidson