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Let these mistakes and successes guide your own front yard garden dreams. Heres what I learned along the way to ensure a successful and harmonious garden with lots of curb appeal. Thats one reason I converted just a portion of my front lawn into a garden. Credit:Luke Miller I figured I could always expand on it later if needed. As it turned out, it provided plenty of space for everything I wanted to plant without becoming overwhelming....

Sustainable gardening helps you save money, use fewer chemicals, and create less waste. What is sustainable gardening? There’s no official definition, but the idea is to minimize humans' impact on the earth. Credit: Bryan E. McCay These sustainable gardening ideas will help you contribute to a happier, healthier planet. Go Organic Going organicis an integral part of sustainable gardening. Using fewer chemicals in your garden is more ecologically sound and more cost-effective....

Celebrate the holiday with these fun things to do for Memorial Day weekend. These Memorial Day activities are fun, inexpensive, and perfect for the whole family. Have Dinner Outside Gather for a casual dinner outside to celebrate the unofficial start of summer. Credit: Gretchen Easton Keep the dishes and decor simple; bunches offresh-from-the-garden bloomsstar on this summer table. Serve up dishes that showcase in-season produce like berries, asparagus, and greens....

Turn your bedroom into a relaxing sanctuary by letting go of these clutter-causing items. Your bedroom should be a place to rest and unwind after a long day. Create a cozy retreat by usingcalming paint colors, incorporating comfy bedding and pillows, and gettingbedroom lightingjust right. Credit: Dera Burreson “The Chair” An empty chair or bench is a common bedroom clutter magnet that sometimes feels unavoidable. Many donation centers will acceptthrow pillows and blankets, but check with them first to be sure....

A bottle of this versatile soap can gently yet effectively clean your whole home. BHG/Adelyn Duchala Assustainable cleanersbecome more mainstream, Castile soap has become an increasingly popular option. The fact that Castile soap is so multipurpose only adds to its appeal. Credit:BHG/Adelyn Duchala Plus, it containsall-natural ingredients, making it safe for those with sensitivities. Learn more about this naturalhomemade cleanerand the surfaces you’re able to clean with Castile soap. Victoria Popova / Getty Images...

Wondering if the garbage disposal can handle eggshells or chicken bones? A garbage disposal is an electronic machine fitted to the underside of a kitchen sink. It uses blades to grind food waste into pieces small enough to be carried away in the plumbing system. Credit: Werner Straube To ensure the long life of your garbage disposal, avoid putting these items down the drain. Coffee Grounds Maybe you’veheard a myththatcoffee groundsare good for your plumbing system and keep away bad odors....

Maintain the integrity of your cookware by washing these specific items by hand. This convenient kitchen appliance is definitely worth having, especially for larger households. The following list details kitchen items you should never put in the dishwasher. Credit:Maria Korneeva / Getty Images If youre still unsure, always check with the brand for clarification. This includesfood storage containers(specifically the takeout kind) and bins used toorganize your fridgeor pantry. Think your plastic mixing bowl will withstand regular dishwashing cycles?...

Avoid placing these things in the basement at all costs for keep them safe. Owning a house with a basement seems like a luxury to anyone who lacks adequate storage. Aside from potentially creating a cluttered mess, blindly tossing items downstairs can also cause irreparable damage to them. Credit:LAURA MOSS From the risk of flooding and pests to the fluctuating temperature and humidity, basements can be quite precarious. LAURA MOSS...

Stashing these items beneath your bed may save some space, but it can also pose serious safety issues. Important Documents Important paperwork should be organized, readily accessible, and protectedideally ina fireproof safe. It might even lead some to use their under-bed space tostore backstock suppliesto prevent a trip to the pantry. Credit:Dana Gallagher Sure, its tempting to have a late-night treat nearby when youre tucked under the covers. But is it worth the potentialpest infestationthat food will invite into your room?...

Check the USDAPlant Hardiness Zone Mapto see which perennial plants are likely to do well in your area. Your local extension office or public garden is a good starting place. For example, a contemporary-leaning garden might take a minimalist approach and clearly defineflower bedswith hard lines. Credit: Jamie Hadley Consider creating aperennial cutting gardenif you enjoy bringing flowers indoors. Walk around the bed and look at the proposed garden from every viewpoint....

Make growing basil in pots a snap with these simple tips. Bob Stefko Theres no such thing as too muchbasil if you love making pestoand cooking with fresh herbs. Try different basil varieties. Credit:Bob Stefko Genovese basil is the most popular basil variety for pesto making andCaprese salads. Choose the right pot. Basil plants are relatively small, so you dont need a massive pot to keep them happy. Provide plenty of light....

Take the guesswork out of growing lettuce in containers with these must-know tips. Match the Lettuce throw in to the Container Ideally, you want awide, shallow containerto grow lettuce. Leaf lettuce can grow in smaller containers than head lettuce. Credit:Edward Gohlich For leaf lettuce, you need a container at least 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep. To grow head lettuce, you need a container thats 16 inches wide and 12 to 16 inches deep....

Grow mild and hot peppers year-round with these simple indoor growing tips. Pepper plants are native to Central and South America and thrive in hot, sunny, and humid environments. To keep pepper plants indoors, you must imitate their natural growing conditions as closely as possible. Credit:Carson Downing Choose compact pepper varieties. Plus, their large fruit may need staking. Ghost peppers grow into massive plants that can stretch over 5 feet wide....