Vinegar is a powerhouse in and out of the kitchen. Sure, you might use it most often in dressings and potato salad, but it’s handy in the garden, laundry room and cleaning caddy too.
You can make a simple DIY cleaner with vinegar, baking soda and essential oils. Vinegar is also great for gnat traps or making soil more acidic. And you can even use vinegar in your laundry or to clean your dishwasher.
It’s easy to take trees, our gentle giants, for granted. And once they show signs of distress, it can be too late to save them. But there are a few things you can do to get them off to the right start and keep them healthy for generations.
Planting a tree that will be around for decades starts with choosing the right tree. Before doing anything else, research the specific species you want. Weigh criteria such as the mature canopy height/and width, specific soil conditions, and the best kinds for your U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone.
“Planting the right tree in the right spot for the right reasons is a good rule to start with for a healthier tree,” says Kathy Glassey, director of renewable resources at Monster Tree Service.
In places with strong seasonal changes, plant deciduous trees such as maples and oaks in the fall and evergreens in the spring, says Lou Meyer, arborist with Davey Tree Service.
“This gives the deciduous trees the ability to start their root system while the crown is dormant,” Meyer says. “Evergreens will lose water through their leaves (needles) all winter, and if the ground is frozen they cannot replace this loss — new trees will stress hard.”
There’s a method to planting correctly, too. “The number-one mistake we see with trees in the landscape is that they are planted too deep,” Meyer says. He suggests planting the root flare two inches above the soil grade. When you’re finished it should look like bell-bottom jeans, not a telephone pole.
If your younger, newly planted trees need to be staked, Glassey says it’s OK if the tree sways slightly in windy conditions.
“This helps with trunk taper development and root stabilization,” she says. “Staking material should be removed by the third year after installation at the latest, or at least adjusted periodically so as not to girdle the trunk or lower branches.”
Infrequent, deep watering leads to deeper roots and better developed trees, Meyer says.
“If you water frequently and in short bursts, all the roots will stay at the surface, since that is where the moisture will be,” he says. “Test proper moisture by digging down to finger depth and making a ball of soil with your fingers. If it drips out, you have too much water and if it crumbles, it is too dry.”
Randy Nelson, certified arborist with Monster Tree Service, recommends black soaker hoses or a garden hose on a drip. These will help you water the way the trees like it: A couple of feet out from the trunk, but within the dripline of the tree (from the trunk to the outer edges of the trees branches), rotating evenly around the tree.
Also, Nelson says, note whether your tree will tolerate water spraying on its trunk. Palms won’t.
Follow these guidelines for tree mulch: One to two inches deep, clear of the trunk by three to five inches, spreading out to the dripline or under the tips of the branches. Do not lay mulch against the trunk. “Any [mulch] is better than none, too much is a killer,” Meyer says. “Mix in compost with your mulch for super soils.”
Glassey recommends raking and turning the mulch several times a year to prevent mold growth.
“They are living beings like you or your pets and they need input,” Meyer says. “Most of us live in neighborhoods that have been stripped of the natural topsoil and we remove all debris every fall, so the soil does not get recharged.”
The compost and mulch can help. But if your soil is stripped, you may have to hire a company with a pressurized tanker truck to subterraneously inject the nutrients into the root zones.
You shouldn’t fear trees falling over, but always keep an eye on them. Occasionally look up for dead or hanging broken branches and remove them. If you’re considering pruning trees yourself, Glassey says to make sure you use the right tools for the task and keep them sharp.
“For younger trees, lower branches should be left on the trunk for several years to help the trunk develop the proper taper,” she says. “Do NOT remove the branch collar when performing a pruning cut. Any larger pruning that needs to be done, other than with hand tools, should be performed by a reputable and professional tree care company.”
“If you are applying pesticides to control unwanted landscape pests, be sure you know what you are doing and why,” Meyer says. “Many pests are naturally controlled by beneficial bugs that you might be nuking every time you spray. Nature usually finds a balance — a little damage is OK.”
A string trimmer is a great tool to care for your lawn and speed up various landscaping chores. Choosing the correct line (thickness/weight, style and material) helps cutting go quicker and lessens the chances of running out of line in the middle of the job.
Before you fire up your trimmer, check the user manual to determine what size lines it can handle. Then think about what you plan to cut.
Low-voltage (up 24 volts) and small gas-powered trimmers (20 cc) work best with medium or small-sized trimmer lines. Thicker lines need more powerful engines that spin fast enough for the trimmer lines to cut through grass and weeds. High-voltage (56 volts or 120-volt corded electric) and heavy-duty gas trimmers (more than 35 cc) can capably handle lines with thicker diameters.
String trimmer line comes in three diameters or weights:
Depending on what you are trimming or cutting, the shape or style string line is as important as the diameter.
Most string trimmer line features hardened, monofilament nylon. To strengthen lines and reduce breakage against hard surfaces, many manufacturers add reinforced nylon, aluminum, polymers or other composite compounds.
Heavier and non-round string trimmer line costs more than standard round line. Basic 0.065 round nylon trimmer line can cost less than $8, or you can pay $32 for commercial grade square line.
One highly regarded 0.095 round string line is Husqvarna’s Titanium Force ($14). It easily cuts through thicker grass and denser weeds, breaks less often and runs quieter than most other string trimmer lines.
Most styles and weights are interchangeable, so you can use non-OEM (original equipment manufacturers) line. However, larger/heavier line may not fit every string trimmer. Replace old trimmer line every spring. It could turn brittle over the cold winter and break more easily.
Labor Day sales offer the best prices of the year on big ticket items like washing machines, mattresses and vacuums. Now’s the time to explore home improvement deals that make the most financial sense. Save thousands when you replace an old appliance, or go all out and upgrade your entire kitchen before the Christmas holidays.
Why pay full price when you can score huge discounts now at the Best Buy Labor Day Sale? Save up to 41 percent on Samsung and LG appliances. And here are even more deals we love!
Check out The Home Depot Labor Day Sale for savings on lawn mowers and leaf blowers.
Get ready for fall and beyond with mega-markdowns on big and small home appliances during the Best Buy Labor Day Sale. Browse a range of products from your favorite brands: LG, Samsung, iRobot — some with huge discounts that could save you up to 41 percent.
Discover low prices on everything from washer-dryer combos to side-by-side refigerators to space-saving microwave ovens. Whether you shop online or in store, act fast or you might miss out! The Best Buy Labor Sales ends September 15.
Want to knock an extra 10 percent off featured appliance packages? For a limited time, take advantage of 24-month financing on appliance and Geek Squad purchases of $999 and up. Or get 10 percent back in rewards on your first day of purchases with a Best Buy credit card. Save now and pay later.
The LG stackable smart front-load washer and smart electric dryer combo hits it out of the park. The new-age-look washer with deep-cleaning capability does a large load of laundry in under 30 minutes. Intelligent sensors detect fabric and load size to dispense the correct amount of detergent and set wash motions for the cleanest laundry ever.
The package also includes the LG stackable smart electric dryer that cleverly reads moisture levels, then adjusts drying times accordingly. What a pair!
Original price: $3,199.98.
Sale price: $2,199.98 (31 percent savings).
Have no fear of sticky-fingered toddlers with this Best Buy Labor Day Sale deal. The special finish on the Samsung French door refrigerator resists smudges and smears, minimizing your cleaning time.
Sleek and modern, the full-depth fridge features a CoolSelect Pantry, an extra-wide drawer with three control settings to chill and defrost food at the perfect temperature. Energy Star-certified and ADA-compliant, the Samsung is eco-friendly and energy-efficient.
Original price: $2,429.99.
Sale price: $1,899.00 (22 percent savings).
Optimize every inch of your kitchen with the GE over-the-range microwave. With 1.9 cubic feet of interior cooking area and 1,000 watts of power, you can prepare an entire meal in one fell swoop.
Other helpful perks include automatic sensor controls that adjust the cook time and power for delicious results every time. Plus, its built-in venting fan system removes smoke, steam and nasty odors.
Original price: $489.99.
Sale price: $287.99 (41 percent savings).
The holidays are right around the corner. Be primed and ready for the flurry of basting and baking to come with the Samsung freestanding gas convection and range.
Gleaming stainless steel from top to bottom, it has nearly everything you’d want. Top features include a powerful convection oven to save cooking time, and a flexible five-burner cast-iron cooktop for sauteing and parboiling. It even offers a few things you didn’t know you needed: WiFi capability and a no-preheat air fry tray for healthy, no-oil cooking.
Original Price: $2,429.99.
Sale Price: $899.99 (21 percent savings).
The compact iRobot Roomba i7 WiFi connected robot vacuum cleans your floors without you lifting a finger. Just give the command via Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant, then sit back and relax. The powerful Roomba’s got this, pulling in stubborn dirt and messes with a three-stage cleaning system and 10X Power-Lifting Suction. Who looks smart now?
Original price: $599.99.
Sale price: $449.00 (25 percent savings).
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The star of every autumn display has got to be those lush, gorgeous mums in harvest shades of yellow, burgundy and orange, or pretty pinks, purples and whites. Here’s how to care for chrysanthemums, plus how to choose the best plants for your fall garden.
Chrysanthemums are either florist mums, which are best used as annuals, or garden mums, which can be grown as perennials.
If you picked up your mums from the fall display at the corner store or supermarket, it’s probably a florist mum. They’re bred to be beautiful but won’t survive the winter.
Want hardy garden mums for your perennial garden? Your best bet is to ask for them at a garden center or nursery.
In zones 5-9, plant perennial garden mums in a full-sun spot. Well-draining soil is crucial to keep the plants healthy and ensure they’ll return next year. Work organic matter into poor or compacted soils before planting your mums.
Florist mums are perfect choices for containers, to make stunning fall displays near entryways and in window boxes. You can also plant these annual mums in your garden to bring end-of-season color after summer annuals are spent.
Plant your perennial mums in the spring. This gives the plants the most time to establish root systems and gain strength before the first frost. Chrysanthemums grow up to three feet tall and up to two feet wide. Space your mums so they won’t be crowded. Their shallow roots cannot compete with other plants for moisture.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, adding rich soil to the hole as you plant your mum. Add a layer of mulch at the base of the plant to help keep the soil moist.
Keep your perennial mums well-watered; they need a lot of H2O and are susceptible to drying out. You can prune the tips of branches to encourage growth; two or three times is usually enough, stopping by mid-summer so the plants will bloom in the fall.
Buy potted, annual mums that have lots of closed buds—these will bloom the longest for you (think: if they’re all blooming now—there won’t be much to look at later). Since they’re usually root-bound, transplant them to larger containers if possible. If you can’t re-pot them, set the pots on water-collecting saucers, so they stay hydrated longer after watering. And water often.
You can keep chrysanthemums indoors to improve air quality, too.
In the morning when plants are hydrated, cut the stems at an angle. Remove leaves that will be underwater and immediately place stems in tepid water. Bring the stems in water (with plant food added if you’d like) to a cool, dark place to rest overnight; this conditioning will extend the life of the cut flowers. Then, arrange your mums in a decorative vase.
Labor Day Weekend is the perfect opportunity to do home and yard projects — not only because you probably have an extra day off, but because of all the sales! The Home Depot Labor Day Sale is a big one, with savings on everything from outdoor yard equipment to name brand appliances already underway!
So if you’re dreaming of an entire front yard makeover or simply planting some fall bulbs, The Home Depot has everything you need to get started. If you’d rather skip the DIY projects and enjoy an end-of-summer barbecue (we won’t judge!), The Home Depot has you covered there too with special buys on grills.
Here are even more deals we love. And, the Best Buy Labor Day Sale slashed prices on GE and Samsung appliances.
The Home Depot Sale includes discounts on outdoor equipment, bedding, furniture, paint, ceiling fans, grills and more! If you’re looking to make big investment purchases for a kitchen or bathroom remodel, now is the time. You’ll find up to 30 percent off name brand kitchen appliances, up to 35 percent off laundry sets, and up to 40 percent off bath products like faucets and vanities.
The sale is available online and in store, with most prices good until September 8 or while supplies last. The discounts on kitchen appliances run through September 15. Shopping for a mattress? Here are the best Labor Day mattress sales.
This sleek front loader Samsung washer and dryer set is 35 percent off, saving you $802 for the pair! The washer features a super speed setting, washing clothes in just 30 minutes, as well as steam cleaning for powerful stain removal.
The matching electric dryer is WiFi enabled for remote starting and scheduling, and includes a sanitizing mode that eliminates 99.9 percent of bacteria and germs. Both units feature an ultra modern, black fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish.
Original price: $2,298.00.
Sale price: $1,496.00 (35 percent savings).
The Hoover WindTunnel 2 will help you clean your whole house, not just the floors! The multi-floor brush works on soft carpets and rugs as well as hard floors like wood or tile.
The hose and extender tools allow you to stretch up to 16 feet to reach ceiling fans, blinds and the top of cabinets. If you have pets, you’ll love the odor-absorbing filter with a carbon layer to climate leftover smells from pet accidents.
Original price: $159.00.
Sale price: $99.00 (38 percent savings).
Who knew a ceiling fan could be so stylish? The Striver 52-in. smart ceiling fan works in indoor and outdoor spaces and adds a special modern touch to your decor.
If you haven’t shopped for ceiling fans in a while, you might be surprised at all the high-tech stuff included. This fan is compatible with WiFi apps so you can control it with voice command through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. It also includes a remote and an integrated LED light kit with two light color settings.
Original price: $299.00.
Sale price: $215.00 (28 percent savings).
No need to worry about gas, fumes or annoying pull cords with the Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower by Greenworks. Some older electric mowers were thought to be light on power, but this model includes two 4.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries and a charger that supplies 60 minutes of run time. Plus, the self-propelled system lets you cut grass without a lot of push.
Original price: $599.99.
Sale price: $479.00 (20 percent savings).
Falling leaves are coming! Get ready with the highly-reviewed Ryobi One+ Cordless Leaf Blower.
Weighing in at only six pounds, it’s easy to carry and maneuver. And thanks to the 4.0 Ah battery, it will keep blowing until the last leaf is gone. Control the speed and wind power for different jobs like delicate flower beds or big, messy driveways. On full blast the jet fan can deliver up to 100 mph!
Original price: $129.00.
Sale price: $99.00 (23 percent savings).
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Frost buildup in your freezer can cause a wide range of problems for the appliance and the food stored in it. But do you know what causes freezer frost — and, better yet, how to prevent it?
Accumulated frozen moisture on the interior walls and shelves of your appliance is commonly known as freezer frost. It occurs when “moisture comes into contact with the evaporator coils inside your freezer and then freezes,” according to General Electric.
Moisture collects on evaporator coils a few ways. Leaving the freezer door open too long is probably the most common. A worn or damaged gasket (the door seal) will allow warm air in and cold air to escape, contributing to freezer frost.
Hot food placed in the freezer can also produce humidity, which causes frost buildup. Other sources include malfunctioning defrost timers, heaters and thermostats, according to GE.
It’s important to take action if you notice frost buildup in your freezer. Here’s what happens if you don’t:
To remove freezer frost, unplug your appliance and wait for the frost to melt, according to Summit Appliance. Then wipe up all the moisture, let everything dry and plug the appliance back in. Don’t scrape off the ice with a knife or any other sharp object. That can damage the appliance and the object you’re using.
Here are a few prevention tips to avoid frost buildup:
Citric acid is a surprisingly powerful natural cleaner. Popular in Europe, this versatile product is great for removing limescale, hard wate...
