How to Plant Seed Potatoes to Grow a Bumper Crop of Spuds

Find out how to plant seed potatoes correctly with these simple, step-by-step instructions. The key is to start with certified disease-free seed potatoes. What Are Seed Potatoes? Credit:Annick Vanderschelden / Getty Images Seed potatoes are potatoes that were specially grown for planting. Tempted to plant potatoes from the grocery store? Also, some potato varieties may be patented, making themillegal to propagate. It’s always best to buy disease-free seed potatoes at garden supply stores and online....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 426 words · Christopher Brown

How to Plant Sod in 5 Simple Steps

This walks you through the process of laying sod and caring for it after its installation. The soil pH should be in the range of 6.0 to 7.0. If the soil is too alkaline, addhorticultural sulfur, composted oak leaves, or pine needles. Credit: Carson Downing Fill low areas withgood-quality topsoil. Work in organic matter if the soil is sandy orfull of clay. Take advantage of this opportunity to improve the soil; adding amendments is easy when the soil is bare....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 255 words · Nicole Montgomery

How to Plant Spring Bulbs in Fall for Glorious Blooms Next Year

Bulbs are the closest thing it’s possible for you to get to guaranteed color. Thesespring-blooming bulbscan be planted anytime in autumn until the ground freezes. These simple guidelines for how toplant spring bulbswill help you create a beautiful garden to enjoy next year. Credit: Jacob Fox For example, if a bulb is 3 inches tall, dig the hole 9 inches deep. Ahand trowel works well to dig a holeat the appropriate depth for your bulb....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 170 words · Christopher Harris

How to Plant Window Boxes Like a Pro

Window box planters are a blank slate. If you know what to plant in window boxes, the design options are endless. Window box planters are an affordable outlet to experiment with your creativity. Credit: Adam Albright Always check that your windowbox has drainage holes. Next, fill the box halfway with potting soil, and add your plants. ensure your plants are placed a few inches apart to give them room to fill out....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 263 words · Dennis Brown

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for a Toothache Plant

Use these tips to enjoy the unique flowers and edible leaves of toothache plant in your garden. If youre looking to add something unique and useful to your garden, toothache plant won’t disappoint. They can be planted in pots or in the ground. Credit:Jay Wilde For best performance, add an organic granular fertilizer to the soil at planting time. Care Tips for Toothache Plant Light Toothache plants preferfull sun to part shade....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 225 words · Dennis Cervantes

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Fenugreek

Add this annual herb to your garden for its tasty leaves and seeds. How and When to Plant Fenugreek Fenugreek does not transplant well. Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep and water well. Credit:DEA / E. BANFI / Getty Images Seedlings are quick to grow and should begin emerging within the first week after planting. For the best flower and pod production, give plants the most sunlight it’s possible for you to....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 224 words · Taylor Ellison

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Fishtail Palm

Add tropical flair to your garden or home with this big, leafy plant. Jason Donnelly Fishtail palm trees feature compound leaves that reach large sizes, as does the tree itself. Each leaflet on the enormous fronds feature ragged edges that resemble the tails of fish. Credit:Jason Donnelly Fishtail palms are toxic todogs, cats, andpeoplebecause they contain calcium oxalate crystals. Where to Plant Fishtail Palm Fishtail palm trees are tricky togrow as houseplants....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 403 words · Susan Green

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Korean Rock Ferns

This small fern will make a pretty addition to your houseplant collection or outdoor garden. Forced air vents, fans, and cold drafts should be avoided. Avoid planting these ferns near aggressively spreading plants such aslilyturf (Liriopespp. Credit:David J. Stang )orEnglish ivy (Hedera helix). Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and set in the center of the hole. Sprinkle some granular fertilizer around the root ball and refill with soil....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 234 words · Nicholas Torres

How to Polish Concrete Floors

Learn how to turn a rough concrete floor into a beautiful, smooth surface. elenaleonova / Getty Images Polishing concrete floors is an effective way to achieve a finished look. Polishing concrete isn’t complicated, but it requires tools you probably don’t have lying around the house. Credit:elenaleonova / Getty Images Before You Begin The key to a beautifully polished concrete floor is proper prep work. Here are some things you better do before polishing a concrete floor....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 243 words · Lance Brown MD

How to Pollinate Tomatoes by Hand to Boost Your Harvest

Pollinating tomatoes by hand can ensure that more fruit develops. Sun-ripened tomatoes are the result of thousands of pollen grains moving at just the right time to pollinate flowers. In this case, a little human intervention may be needed. Credit:ThamKC / Getty Images This guide will show you how to pollinate tomatoes by hand to increase your harvest. ThamKC / Getty Images Are Tomatoes Self Pollinating? Insects, usually bees, or a strong breeze will transfer the lightweight pollen grains from anther to stigma....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 352 words · Heather Pittman

How to Pour Concrete Steps for a Porch or Outdoor Entryway

If the remainder is less than 12 inches, you may need to change your plan. Be sure you know and understand the codes prior to beginning planning concrete steps. If you don’t construct them according to code, a building inspector can make you tear them out. Credit:Better Homes & Gardens Drive stakes to indicate where the base of the bottom step will be when poured. Compute the unit rise and run of the steps, and draw a dimensioned sketch....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 506 words · Terri Wright

How to Prep a Room for Paint

Painting interior walls is a time-intensive chore. You’ll be thrilled with the results of your painting labors. Leaving them in will just make the job more difficult and time-consuming. Credit:BHG / Julie Bang First,turn off the power to any outletsor electric fixtures. Using anelectric screwdrivercould save you some time. You’ll also want to remove drapes and drapery hardware. Credit:BHG / Julie Bang (It’s the perfect time to get them cleaned while they’re off the wall!...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 398 words · Mr. Tyler Mckenzie

How to Prepare Rhubarb for Spring Desserts and More

How Did Rhubarb Become So Popular? Rhubarb has been used in Asia as a medicinal plant for thousands of years. In the late 18th century, Europeans and Americans began using rhubarb in tarts and pies. Credit: Brie Passano Its popularity took off as sugar became more affordable and available. Research has suggested that anthocyanins may have anti-cancer benefits. What Is Rhubarb? Credit: Andy Lyons However, as a member of the buckwheat family, rhubarb is a vegetable....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 459 words · Troy Fitzpatrick