If youre curious about how to eat kumquats and are wondering,what are kumquats,anyway? read on for your complete guide to this healthy, versatile, and vibrant fruit. What are Kumquats? Credit:Getty Images / Liudmila Chernetska Kumquats (Citrus japonica) are native to China, where their name means golden orange. They smell bright and citrusy, and taste tart with sweet undertones. Theyre also rich in gut-friendly fiber, with 7 12 grams in that same 6-kumquat serving....

Use what you already have to create a stylish yet functional shelf display. Floating shelves are a kitchen design trend thatisn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Edit down your collection. Credit: Greg Scheidemann Open shelves should be reserved for a thoughtful selection of items. Mix dishes with other items. Combine everyday dishware with accessories to create a more interesting arrangement. Credit: Lincoln Barbour Shop around your home for items that can add dimension and personality to kitchen floating shelves....

you could also train them to a freestanding fence or trellis. Depending on the plant, this can take a year or two to establish and requires regular care. Thereafter, an espalier requires only light pruning to hold its shape. Espalier is a traditional, though labor-intensive, way to decorate courtyard walls. Instructions Step 1: Plan your pattern.Espalier fruit trees in a pattern. Fruit trees are often grown horizontally (diagram A) to maximize the fruit set....

Find out how to improve your backyard without any costly surprises along the way. Chris Turneris the owner and designer at Elevate by Design. How to Estimate Backyard Renovation Costs Estimating backyardrenovation costsshould always start with a plan for the project. Credit:Annie Schlechter “Fall and winter will generally be cheaper for projects. Plus contractors might offer lower pricing during slow months.” Landscaping Upgrades Landscaping upgrades can be a quick, effective option for radically changing your yard’s appearance....

It’s a big job, but can be done with determination and a bit of arm strength. We’ll show you how. Digging is hard work, even if you’ve loosened up the soil with a rototiller. From left to right: Hand tamper; garden tiller; mattock; shovel; power auger; garden rake; crowbar; power tamper; lawn edger. The procedures illustrated below assume that your project requires forms and the working room to install them....

Learn how to buy, prep, and roast this top cut of beef for a restaurant-worthy meal. The rib bones add flavor and act as a natural rack for the meat to roast on. Save the rack and use kitchen string to tie the roast back to the ribs for roasting. Credit:Scott Little Then, just cut the strings and remove the bones before slicing. To cook a perfect rib roast, follow our tips that walk you through from purchasing to carving....

Extend your deck rather than replace it to create the outdoor entertainment space of your dreams. John Granen Short on space foroutdoor entertainment? Instead, consider extending your existing deck to create more room. Credit:John Granen Luckily, extending your deck is a relatively simple process. Deck boards that look bad on the surface aren’t indicative of structural damage. Mark the measurement on the wall with a pencil. Fasten the ledger to the wall using concrete lag bolts....

Installing outdoor power outlets isn’t as difficult as it sounds. The quickest way to extend power outdoors is to install a receptacle back-to-back with one inside the house. You’ll want to position an outdoor receptacle at least 16 inches above the ground. An in-use cover increases protection from the weather. A simple wooden box built around it shields it from bumps by the lawn mower or kids at play. Outdoor receptacles must be GFCI-protected....

Keep your blueberry plants healthy and productive with these fertilization tips and more. you better know thecondition of the soilto grow any plants successfully. Garden soil can accumulate salts from overuse of fertilizers over time or become depleted of vital nutrients. Credit:Laurie Black Plus you’ll be able to tell whether thepH needs to be adjusted for acid-loving blueberry plants. Blueberries grow best in well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 4....

Keep your houseplants thriving with these simple fertilizing tips. Here’swhen and how to fertilize indoor plantsso you’re able to keep everything green and growing. Types of Fertilizers for Indoor Plants There aretwo primary types of fertilizersto consider: synthetic and organic. Credit:Dean Schoeppner It is often said that synthetic fertilizers feed the plant while organic fertilizers feed the soil. Dean Schoeppner Synthetic Synthetic fertilizers are produced from ammonia, natural gas, and various mineral sources....

Take all the guesswork out of fertilizing tomato plants with these must-know tips. But you could’t just dump fertilizer on tomatoes and expect great results. First, you better get to know your soil by conducting a soil test. Credit:Dana Gallagher In many areas,soil test kits are availablefrom a local Cooperative Extension Service for a small fee. There are several commercial soil testing services too. The lab will then send you a summary of nutrient levels and the pH reading of the soil....

Keep your home cool without wasting energy with our guide to air conditioner sizes. This does not refer to the physical size of the unit. Rather, air conditioner size is a measurement of the cooling capacity, which is typically represented in BTU. Credit:Getty Images / Thelma Lanteigne / EyeEm BTU (British Thermal Unit)is used to measure energy. However, this rating can also be stated in tonnage, with 12,000 BTUh equal to one ton....

So, how do you figure out when that is? you’ve got the option to alsoplant certain vegetablesand flowers outside before the last frost. Here’s what you should probably know about your last frost date in spring to avoid frozen plants. Credit: PS3000 / Getty Images What is a frost date? Those events don’t happen on the exact same days each year, of course. And the last frost date in Chicago will differ from that in Seattle....