Hawthorn Tree Care Hawthorn grows best in full sun and average, well-drained soil. Plant nursery-grown trees in early spring or early fall. After planting, water them well and cover the soil around the tree with a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch to prevent weeds and soil-moisture evaporation. Water spring-planted trees regularly and deeply through the first growing season. Water fall-planted trees regularly and deeply for a growing season beginning in the spring following planting....

Beet Beet: 1 small roasted beet, pureed until smooth (about 3 tablespoons) Saffron Saffron: 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, crushed and soaked in 2 Tbsp. warm water for 30 minutes. Spinach Spinach: 1/2 of a 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry, and finely chopped. Roasted Red Pepper Roasted Red Pepper: 1/2 of a roasted red sweet pepper, pureed until smooth (about 3 tablespoons).

Dann was giddy to find a 1968 Silver Eagle camper on Craigslist for just $600. The ad, however, failed to mention that the camper had been left out in the woods and its roof was caving in. Dann, a designer and owner of the salvage shop Rebel Reclaimed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, saw past all of that. “Saving vintage things speaks to my need to help the runt of the litter,” Dann says....

The History of Jelly Beans No one knows jelly beans like the experts at Jelly Belly, so we took our questions to Rob Swaigen, the vice president of global marketing for the company. “The exact origins of the jelly bean are lost in time, and only part of its history is known," he says. “Most experts believe the soft center is a descendant of a middle eastern confection known as ’Turkish Delight’ that dates back to pre-Biblical times....

Manual Sander A manual sander is the easiest and least expensive sanding tool to use. It relies on manual labor to get a smooth, even finish. It’s a good tool for small projects where the wood is already in decent shape or for touch-ups on a piece that’s already been sanded. When using a manual sander, make sure you always go with the grain. Any other direction will create nicks and splinters in the wood....

We’ll introduce you to eight common saw types—including both manual and power-operated saws—and help you choose the right one for your project. Plus, we have expert tips for operating each saw so you can work with confidence. Hand Saw The most basic type of saw, a hand saw is a must-have tool for cutting boards, logs, or thinner materials. The tool requires manual labor and a steady back-and-forth motion to cut through materials, and it’s very simple to use....

What Is Kabocha Squash? Kabocha squash looks like a small round pumpkin with dark green skin and lighter-color stripes or bumps. Orange-skin varieties can also be found. The flesh is orange, similar to butternut squash. While it’s often prepared as a vegetable, kabocha squash (along with other winter squashes) are fruits. Selecting Kabocha Squash This winter squash is available late summer to early fall. Look for kabocha squash with dull, unblemished skin and no soft spots....

Best Types of Plants for Pollinators Besides perennials and annuals, many vines, shrubs, and trees produce flowers that draw pollinators. Plants with brightly colored flowers, usually oranges, reds, and yellows, seem to be the most attractive to bees and other flying insects. Some of the best types of flowers for pollinators have an open or flat shape, allowing for easier access to pollen and nectar. To start learning how to make a pollinator garden, look for these plants to add to your landscaping....

“Most reach-in closets are about 2 feet deep, so a shallow desk can slide right in,” says professional organizer Kay Patterson. “Some fun wallpaper or cute desk decor will make the space more inviting.” The basic setup requires a desktop surface, storage, and a chair or stool, which can all easily fit inside a reach-in bedroom closet or a linen closet in the hallway. At the end of the day, simply close the closet doors to conceal your workstation and keep your home looking clutter-free....

To help sort through these questions, we asked renovation industry experts to share guidance on how to create a home improvement project budget. Research, ask questions, and plan, plan, plan. The more time and energy you put into researching and planning your improvement project at the outset, the less likely you are to face unexpected costs that were left out. The extra bit of effort you expend early on can also help avert any project hold-ups....

How to Clean a Waffle Maker Before you begin, note that you should never use any tools or utensils with sharp edges, scouring pads, or hard-bristled brushes that could scratch and destroy the surface of the waffle machine. What You’ll Need Paper towelsSoft-bristle brushRubber spatulaSponge or dishclothDish detergent Step 1: Review the manual. Referring to the owner’s manual will help you determine the best way to clean your waffle maker, and eliminate a lot of the guesswork to ensure you don’t damage your appliance....

What Clothes Can I Dry? As a general rule of thumb, the clothing items you launder in a permanent-press or regular cycle in the washing machine can also be dried in the clothes dryer. But it’s always best to check the clothing care label. You especially don’t want to machine-dry anything that should be washed by hand. When in doubt, hang-dry clothes on a clothes-drying rack. This option saves money on fuel bills, extends the longevity of clothes, and reduces concerns about ruining specific clothing....

It’s not just hotels where bed bugs now lurk. Summer camps, college dorms, apartment complexes, theaters, and secondhand furnishings are just a few other hideouts. So with all this news, it’s no wonder you want to know how to avoid bed bugs. The best place to start is to learn how to identify bed bugs and where to look for them. How to Identify Bed Bugs IDs, please! Adult bed bugs look similar in size and appearance to an apple seed but are rusty red in color....

Are Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs Harmful? Numerous stink bug species are native to the United States, but brown marmorated stink bugs originated in Asia. They made their way to the U.S. in the 1990s and were first discovered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1998. Since their arrival, they’ve spread across the country at a rapid rate, and have been spotted in nearly every state. They don’t have many natural predators in North America, so their population has exploded in the 20-plus years since they arrived....

What Are Mealybugs? Mealybugs are tiny, oval-shape insects related to scale (another plant pest), but they have soft bodies instead of a hard shell like scale does. Look for them in hard-to-reach spaces, such as the points where leaves meet stems and the undersides of leaves. Some mealybugs also hide in soil and on roots, making them more challenging to spot. These insects are most attracted to citrus trees and tropical plants such as fiddle leaf figs and hibiscus, but they’re not too picky....

It sounds as though you have a slime mold growing on your wood mulch. I’m guessing that the lawn and new plants have been heavily watered (probably to help the sod), because this slime mold generally develops when moisture is plentiful. There’s not much you need to do except cut back on the moisture a bit. Luckily, the fungus won’t harm anything, and it will disappear on its own when the weather warms up and dries out....

Find inspiration. Look for walk-in shower ideas in shelter magazines and at bath showrooms and home centers. Meet with a bathroom designer or construction professional to discuss your project, firm up goals, and solicit bids if needed. Be space-savvy. When planning a walk-in shower, make sure there will be a minimum of 32 inches between the shower and the room’s other fixtures. Walk-in showers should supply at least 36x36 inches of space per person, so double that amount if two people will be using the shower at one time....