As Halloween gets closer, you’re sure to see plenty of orange pumpkins on stoops and porches. But what if you see a teal pumpkin? These non-traditional pumpkins are much more than decor, and they serve an important purpose.
The Teal Pumpkin Project
The Teal Pumpkin Project is an effort by the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) organization to raise awareness of food allergies and promote inclusion of all trick-or-treaters during the Halloween season. This project originated as a local activity by the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee and has since become a worldwide event. According to FARE, teal is the color for food allergy awareness and has been used to raise awareness about food-related medical conditions for 20 years. Those who participate in the project place a teal painted pumpkin outside their door and provide non-food treats to trick-or-treaters on Halloween.
Food Allergies Are Increasing
The incidence of food allergies is on the rise. According to FARE, one in 13 children has a food allergy. Even tiny amounts of allergens can cause serious, if not life-threatening, reactions in those affected by food allergies. Traditional Halloween candy and chocolate treats are rife with common food allergens, including ingredients derived from wheat, eggs, soy, nuts and milk. Participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project allows children who are affected by food allergies to still participate in Halloween trick-or-treating activities and not feel left out from the festivities.
How To Participate
Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep or at the front of your home is the first step. You can add your location to the Teal Pumpkin Project map to let trick-or-treaters know your stop is food-allergen safe. Recommended non-food treats include small containers of bubbles, spider rings, glow sticks, pencils, stickers or finger puppets. And if you do participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, that doesn’t mean you can’t also provide traditional treats as well. If you do provide both non-food and candy treats, FARE recommends asking trick-or-treaters if they have a food allergy or just give each child the option to choose which kind of treat he or she would like.
There are ways to support for certain issues without outright telling everyone we meet. People use teal pumpkins during Halloween to show awareness of children’s food allergies and blue pumpkin buckets to spread awareness for autism. It’s a great ways to spark conversations about issues that deserve the spotlight without seeming in-your-face.
So why do some people use green porch lights? This one doesn’t have to do with Halloween or Christmas, but it is related to another holiday.
What Does a Green Porch Light Mean?
It started in 2013 with a campaign led by Walmart, called the “Greenlight a Vet Campaign.” This campaign worked to guarantee jobs for honorably discharged U.S. veterans after they returned home from service. In addition, Walmart also encouraged members of their communities to change their porch lights to green in order to show appreciation for veterans across the nation.
The campaign described the color green as renewal and hope. With all of these positive ideas in mind, Walmart hoped to start a new conversation about U.S. veterans as valued members of every community. You’ll still see these green lights around November 11, which is Veterans Day.
Occasionally, some will also use green porch lights to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
What’s the Best Light for My Porch?
When choosing outdoor lights, like a green light for your front porch, look carefully at the amount of lumens. The more lumens, the brighter the bulb. This 229-lumen bulb has a softer light and should generally work well for your porch, but if you don’t have many lights outside, you may need to have your single light do the work of many. In this case, look for a light like this 720-lumen bulb.
If you live where there are four distinct seasons, you can feel it in your bones when the growing season nears its end and it’s time to wind things down in your landscape.
Even if you garden where winter isn’t severe, you’ll notice some of your shrubs and flowers growing slower and losing some color in the fall. That’s because decreasing daylight and cooler nighttime temperatures let your plants know winter is on the horizon.
You’ve worked so hard to achieve an amazing garden, so take a moment in late fall to complete these last few simple tasks to close things down. Your efforts now will have a lasting positive impact on your landscape you’ll appreciate next spring. If you’re looking to learn how to close up your vegetable garden for winter, that’s a different topic.
Garden Winterization Tasks To Do Now
By the time the first frost hits, or by late December in frost-free climates, you’ve likely finished your gardening for the season and prepared your lawn for fall. Let’s talk about a few jobs you may not have thought to tackle yet, plus a few more that are important to continue until winter arrives.
Fall watering
Keeping the plants in your landscape watered consistently until the ground freezes is one of the most effective actions you can take to help them survive the winter damage-free.
The ground stays warmer than the air in the fall, stimulating plant roots to grow vigorously this time of year. It’s especially true of perennials, shrubs and recently-planted trees. Extend the time for them to become established in the fall by keeping the ground moist and mulching around their roots.
Fall watering is extra critical for evergreen plants, including conifers and broadleaf evergreens. Going into winter fully hydrated helps them avoid winter burn on their foliage. Keep them watered consistently until the ground freezes, or throughout the winter months in freeze-free regions.
Mulch plants before winter
Many people mulch their garden beds in the spring, but fall is also a critical time of year to protect the roots of your plants. Mulch helps keep the soil moist and warm, which helps plants continue growing strong.
Perennials, shrubs and trees planted in your landscape this season should take priority for mulch. Spread a three- to four-inch layer of shredded leaves, bark chips or shredded wood around the base of the plant. Don’t lay it right up against the trunk or crown; that prevents insect and rodent damage.
Top-dress garden beds
Most of us garden where the soil isn’t ideal, whether it’s heavy clay, nutrient-poor sand or hard as a rock. That’s where top–dressing your beds in late fall can help. When you add a thin layer of compost or a fluffy layer of shredded leaves on top of your garden beds after your plants go dormant, it greatly improves the structure of your soil over time.
If you repeat this task faithfully, your garden soil will take on a looser, loamy texture and grow rich in the nutrients that help plants thrive. If there’s no time to do it in the fall, don’t skip it for a year. Reschedule this task for early spring before your plants wake back up.
Apply animal repellent in late fall or early winter
Here’s a garden task that many people forget and pay for later with gnawed perennial crowns and stripped tree and shrub bark. Critters like mice, voles, rabbits and deer are still active outside in the winter looking for food. Don’t let your prized hydrangea tree fall victim to voles!
Before the fallen leaves blanket your garden, or at least by the time the ground freezes, put out animal repellent. To deter mice, voles and rabbits, spray the lower 18 inches of young trees, shrubs and vines with a liquid repellent, like Plantskydd, that doesn’t wash off in the rain or snow.
Next, spray the trunks of young trees at eye level to help deter deer from using them as scratching posts. Damage from that scratching, called “buck rub,” can kill the tree if deer rub off enough bark. Tree wraps are also an effective defense against critters.
For extra protection, sprinkle a granular animal repellent on the ground around the crowns of plants. Coral bells and coneflowers are favorites of rabbits and voles, especially when hidden under the leaves or snow. You can’t overuse animal repellent, so feel free to apply it to any plants you’re worried about.
When planting spring bulbs before winter, take extra precautions against squirrels, chipmunks and voles by spraying your bulbs with liquid animal repellent and letting them dry first. Then plant them. If these rodents still foil your bulb planting, you may need to plant the bulbs inside a physical barrier like a chicken wire basket.
Store away or switch out your flower pots
If you live where frost and snow are common, empty and store the flower pots by early winter to avoid damaged. This is especially important for terra cotta, ceramic and plastic pots, which can easily crack from winter’s freeze-and-thaw cycles. Bring the pots into an unheated shed or garage if possible, or turn them upside down and store them in a sheltered spot outdoors.
Early winter is the perfect time to swap out fall container plants for winter evergreen boughs and berry-laden branches to keep things festive. Just be sure you’re choosing frostproof containers. If you live in a frost-free climate, situate them out of the elements.
Know which perennials to cut back in late fall
If you’re growing several kinds of perennials in your landscape, you might be wondering which should be cut back in late fall versus in the spring. While most can wait out the winter intact, there are a few specific guidelines to follow when preparing your garden for winter.
Don’t cut back evergreen perennials, or those with hollow or woody stems. They tend to overwinter better if they are cut back in the spring.
Perennials with these traits should be cut back in late fall:
Any herbaceous perennials with diseased parts, like bee balm covered in powdery mildew. Some diseases, like the one causig black spots to form on black-eyed Susans, overwinter in the soil and reinfect the plants again the following year. It’s important to bag and dispose of diseased foliage rather than composting it.
Hostas and similar thick-foliage perennials make easy hiding places for harmful insects and their eggs. Cut these plants back once most of their leaves have turned yellow or brown.
Plants with seed heads you don’t want to spread around your garden.
Shield vulnerable plants
If you keep your plants watered thoroughly until the ground freezes and spread mulch around their roots, there isn’t much little needed to prepare them for winter. If your plants require more drastic measures to survive the cold, it’s likely because the plant isn’t well-suited to your climate or isn’t happy where it’s planted. Consider replacing them with hardier varieties that will overwinter more easily.
If you’re worried about newly planted broadleaf evergreens, protect them with an anti-desiccant like Wilt Stop. Products like this create a waxy coating on the leaves so they stay hydrated. It’s not a replacement for fall watering, but it could prevent the foliage from burning in winter.
Plant bulbs late in the season
Have you noticed the squirrels licking their chops when they see you hauling out your bulbs for fall planting? If so, wait to plant your bulbs until late in the season, after the squirrels fattened up on acorns and other fall fodder.
As long as you can still stick your shovel in the ground, you can plant spring-blooming bulbs until the ground freezes. Playing the waiting game often works to your advantage in this case.
Once you wrap up these tasks, you can rest easy ,knowing that your garden is prepared to take on winter. Now it’s time to sit back, relax and start dreaming about all the new things you’ll plant and grow next year!
Some 30 years ago, American kitchens received the gift of the microwave and quickly became dependent on it for lightning-fast heating. Younger generations can’t even imagine making oatmeal, hot chocolate, or popcorn without it. And yet so many of us are using the microwave incorrectly for reheated foods. Sure, we know to never zap aluminum foil, metal, or plastic, but there are equally dangerous risks involved in nuking certain foods.
For starters, a microwave does not cook food evenly, which often means that any bacteria present in the reheated foods will survive. Then there’s the problem of microwave blasts directly contributing to the production of carcinogenic toxins. To minimize the microwave risks, don’t use it to cook or warm these ten foods:
If it seems like there’s never enough storage room in your bathroom, you’re not alone. Makeup, towels, backup shampoo bottles, hair styling tools, bath toys and more all need somewhere to go. So what do you do when your vanity drawers are full? Get creative and add more bathroom storage for small spaces.
These storage products make the most of small bathrooms without a full remodel.
Sponsored by Home Depot: This piece was created in partnership with Home Depot, home to Kidde fire safety products that can help you protect your home and family with fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers.
Now is the best time of year to upgrade your home to a hardwired smoke detector and stock up on other fire safety and prevention essentials.
Installing UL-certified smoke alarms in your home is a vital fire safety measure that may save lives. Kidde, the bestselling fire safety brand, is running an epic sale at The Home Depot, and the deals are simply too good to pass up.
What’s in the Kidde Smoke Detector Sale?
You’ll find prices on Kidde smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and even voice-based alarms marked down significantly. Expect almost everything suggested in our list of fire prevention tips to hit the sale rack, with some items dipping below five dollars.
When is the Kidde Smoke Detector Sale?
Add your favorite Kidde fire safety products to your cart ASAP before this sale ends October 31. With popular items selling fast, don’t sleep on these deals. You might want to consider adding a few extras to your cart while prices are low and items are in stock.
What are the top Kidde Smoke Detector deals?
Firex Hardwired Smoke Detector with Battery Backup Four-Pack
This package of hardwired smoke detectors offers four units at a discounted price to keep an entire small home or apartment protected from fires. Each unit has battery backup and easy front-loaded battery access. Take 20 percent off this already affordable set and buy it for $39.97 instead of the usual $49.97.
10-Year Worry Free Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector
Double up on home fire safety and carbon monoxide detection with this worry-free model that boasts a 10-year lithium battery. It offers continuous protection, even when the power goes out — which means you won’t get those annoying chirps and whistling sounds, either.
This basic-use fire extinguisher is ideal for the kitchen. It comes with a wall mount and strap. It’s marked down 34 percent so you’ll pay $9.88 instead of the usual $14.97. This is where you should keep fire extinguishers in your home.
Firex Hardwired Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Two-Pack
This combination unit offers the reliable protection of a hardwired system and comes with adapters and voice alarm technology. The best part? You get two per pack. They’re marked down 10 percent to $79.97 instead of the usual $99.00.
This nifty carbon monoxide detector plugs into wall outlet and offers AA battery backup for extra protection. It’s marked down 33 percent, so scoop these up fast. Buy it for $19.97 instead of $29.97 during the Kidde sale.
Having an extra fire extinguisher within reach is good fire prevention policy. Whether you’re purchasing an extra fire extinguisher to keep outside by the barbecue or inside as a backup, this two-pack of fire extinguishers is a fantastic deal at $29.97. That’s 33 percent off the usual $40 price tag.
They offer two-in-one protection, a 10-year lithium battery and voice alarm alerts in case of fire, carbon monoxide or low battery life. They’re currently nine percent off, or $89.97 instead of $99.
This is the most affordable fire safety device we’ve seen yet, reminding us that fire prevention and home safety can be had at any budget. The battery powered Code One smoke detector unit features an ionization sensor and goes for less than $6 during the Kidde smoke detector sale.
One of the most popular siding options for the outside of a home is also one of the oldest. Stucco has been used for centuries and it remains a popular choice for residential siding.
Nearly 25 percent of single-family homes built today feature stucco siding, according to a 2019 report from the Stucco Manufacturers Association. It ranks as the second-most popular siding in the U.S. behind vinyl. Here’s why it’s a top choice for so many homeowners.
What Is Stucco?
Stucco is a cement-like product applied to the outside of a home in multiple layers about one inch thick. Its texture varies from smooth to textured, depending on how it’s applied. It can be used over masonry or wood frame. Traditionally, it’s made of cement, lime and sand.
There are several newer stucco systems, including acrylic, insulated and crack suppression, that address cracking and other issues that can occur with stucco. (See Why Use Stucco, below.) These offer even more options for texture.
While stucco is popular in Southern and Western U.S., it’s also seen in the Midwest. Now it’s expanding to other regions as newer products solve some of stucco’s limitations.
Why Use Stucco
Like all siding materials, stucco has pros and cons you should consider for your specific situation.
Advantages of Stucco
Durability: Unlike other siding materials, stucco has some serious staying power. “When properly applied, it can last for decades without needing maintenance,” says Gregg Cantor, president and CEO of Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel. According to a Department of Energy study, “Properly applied stucco will have a useful service life of 100 years.”
Appearance: Stucco offers unlimited customization. The finish can be anything from super smooth to highly textured. It works well with many architectural styles and other building materials, and can be tinted a range of colors.
Fire resistance: Stucco provides a strong firewall rating — one hour — which makes it appealing when you need to meet local fire codes.
Cost: Because applying stucco requires a high level of skill, the cost will vary regionally with labor costs. “In the West, conventional stucco costs about $20,000 for a 3,000 sq. ft. home,” says Cantor. “The newer acrylic systems cost about $25,000 to $30,000.” Cantor says acrylic stucco is “probably going to be more cost effective than traditional wood, vinyl and composite siding.” That’s due to its high durability, low maintenance needs and long lifespan.
Disadvantages of Stucco
Cracks: If applied correctly, stucco should perform well. Hairline cracks are normal with conventional stucco, and stress cracks can occur as homes settle. But the newer acrylic stucco products and crack suppression systems have greatly decreased cracking.
Insulation: Conventional stucco doesn’t provide much insulation value. But with new stucco insulation systems, you’ll get better performance.
Staining: If water runs down stucco, it will stain over time, and you could have larger issues with moisture damage. Use gutters and keep sprinklers away from stucco exteriors.
How To Apply Stucco
Stucco is applied over a base of house wrap or felt paper and lath. It’s typically done in three coats applied by hand with a trowel. Color and texture are added with the final coat.
Application of newer systems vary, based on the specific manufacturer’s product. A crack suppression system requires four coats, and insulating systems require several steps. “They include a polystyrene foam board, followed by fiberglass mesh and an acrylic finish coat,” says Russ Grassa of S.G. Plastering in El Cajon, California.
Can You DIY Stucco or Should You Hire Someone?
“I don’t recommend DIY,” says Cantor. “Very few homeowners would have the skill set required to apply stucco. There are other challenges, too, like the equipment and specialty tools needed.” Cantor adds applying stucco isn’t a one-person job; it takes three or four people.
Taking Care of Stucco
Cantor recommends the following:
Inspect stucco annually for cracks or damage and repair them as soon as possible so water doesn’t seep behind the stucco finish.
Stucco typically doesn’t need cleaning. If it’s particularly dirty, hose it off using mild pressure.
Use gutters and check them periodically to make sure they’re not clogged, damaged or leaking water onto the stucco. Repair gutters as soon as you spot issues to avoid damage or staining.
Over time, the color may fade. You can paint stucco to refresh it.
Trim trees and shrubs so they don’t rub against the stucco.
Don’t put planters that hold water, such as window boxes, against stucco.
Keep soil levels around the perimeter of the home below the stucco finish. Stucco is porous and can draw up moisture from any soil touching it.
Use drip irrigation systems around the perimeter of the home. Avoid sprinkling or spraying water onto the siding.
