Find out what’s available and use the actual measurements to draw a dimensioned plan. Most timbers come in 8-foot lengths, perfect for steps 4 feet wide. Use a pattern composed of whole bricks so you’re free to avoid cutting them. Then, use the dimensions of this mocked-up section to cut the timbers to fit. The plan shown here uses rebar to anchor the timbers into the soil. If your soil is sandy, use a 2-foot length of 3/4-inch pipe or steel conduit instead....

New flooring doesn’t get easier than this. Check out the benefits of loose-lay sheet vinyl flooring and why it may be right for your home. Loose-lay sheet vinyl flooring is unique because it doesn’t require adhesive. Once you cut it to size and put it in place, it’s installed. It’s an ideal solution for covering surfaces such aspainted concrete, which adhesives don’t adhere to well. you’re able to purchase it at most home centers and flooring stores....

Make the most of a small or narrow space with wall-mounted lights. These sleek luminaries provide indirectlighting for bathrooms, hallways, stairways, and other tight spots. Plus, they can add an attractive accent to an otherwise blank wall. Credit: Edmund Barr For the ideal placement, install wall-mounted (wall sconce) lighting just above eye level. In bathrooms, it’s best to install wall-mounted lighting on both sides of a mirror. A strip of lights over a bathroom mirror or medicine cabinet calls for a similar installation method....

Removing wrinklesis one of the most frustrating parts of laundry care. Ironing is the most way to get rid of winkles, but it’s not the only method. (Always be sure to check thefabric care tagbefore applying heat of any kind.) Credit:Kelsey Hansen Keep reading for our go-to wrinkle-removing methods that work in a pinch. Kelsey Hansen 1. Use a Steamer Using ahandheld clothing steameris probably the most popular alternative to traditional ironing....

Learn how to juice pomegranates so you could drink the juice and use it for recipes. Our four-step process is easy and uses tools you already have at home. The pomegranate, with its thick red skin and miniature crown, is a complex fruit. Credit: Peter Krumhardt The sweet-tart seeds are edible. Read on for our Test Kitchen’s easy step-by-step process for how to juice pomegranates. Be sure to clean your work surfaces surface immediately with warm, soapy water....

Taking notes about weather, bloom time, harvest, and pests makes you a better gardener. There is more than one compelling reason to keep a garden journal. Scott Akeris a research horticulturist and head of horticulture and education at theU.S. Credit: psphotograph/Getty Images National Arboretumin Washington, D.C. Why Keep a Garden Journal? Keeping a garden journal provides real benefits when it comes to planning, planting, and maintaining a garden. Every garden has microclimates, says Scott Aker, research horticulturist at the U....

Here’s how to make the most of their short season. Grant Webster This deliciousgreen and purple vegetableis native to many Mediterranean countries. However, most of the artichokes sold in the United States are grown in California. Credit:Grant Webster The Italian variety Green Globe is the most widely available on grocery store shelves. Grilled, steamed, baked, or rawartichokes are a versatile spring vegetable. Here are two methods for storing artichokes. Credit:Grant Webster...

They are pollinators that feast on flowers full of nectar and go from one flower to the next. Placing ahummingbird feeder in your yardwill likely draw bees and wasps to the sugary concoction. A hummingbird feeder doesnt act as a hummingbirds primary meal. Credit:Better Homes & Gardens “Having more of them around does increase the chances of an unwanted encounter,” he explains. Knowing the difference between wasps and bees makes a difference, too....

Learn how to keep cats out of your yard or garden with these kitty-safe methods. Kindra Clineff Stray cats can benefit gardens bykeeping voles, mice, and other rodents away. Why Keep Cats Out of Gardens? Credit:Kindra Clineff Stray cats may make a mess of vegetable and herb beds by mistaking empty soil for a litterbox. This may be enough of a reason for you to deter garden cats. Discourage Digging...

Here’s how to outsmart the wily critters that dig up and nibble your favorite flowers. First of all, think about why these creatures do what they do. They eat nuts, leaves, berries, roots, and seeds. Credit: Doug Stremel Generally, there is enough food for them inour backyard habitats, and they don’t become pests. Squirrels spend much of their day burying little food stashes in multiple places around their territory. That’s why they often dig into the lovely, soft soil you’ve just prepared....

Depending on what’s available, hungry deer will eat almost anything (deer indifferent regionshave different palates). One of the best ways to keep your garden safe is to fill it withdeer-resistant plantsthey’ll naturally avoid. They feast on fruits of all kinds, from strawberries to fruit trees and fallen fruit. Credit: Karla Conrad Deer will eat most trees and shrubs' bark, twigs, and leaves. They can also damage woody plants, especially during winter when food is scarce....

A bouquet of big, beautifulpeoniesalways brightens up a room. Get Peonies at the Bud Stage Buy or harvest peonies while the flowers are still in bud form. Buds aren’t always pretty, and slight deformitieslike little brown spotsare normal. Credit: Anthony Masterson If you are cutting peonies from your garden, head out in the morning to look for buds. Feed Your Cut Flowers To stay fresh longer, cut flowers need flower food....

Learn how to keep rabbits out of your garden with these humane methods. Jay Wilde Few garden plants are safe when rabbits invade. If you want to keep rabbits from moving in, start by doing a goodgarden cleanup. Credit:Jay Wilde To reduce food sources, rake up windfallen fruit and cover vulnerable vegetables withrow covers. Kindra Clineff 2. Grow Rabbit-Proof Plants Hungry rabbits will eat just about anything, so its hard to find truly rabbit-proof plants....