The Dyson DC50 Animal Vacuum is a workhorse, and for some of our readers the best vacuum for apartment they have come across. It looks quite impressive, with the modern and unique rollerball design instantly standing out. Further, the metallic purple accents give it a very distinctive appeal. By the end of our review, you’ll
Hollyhocks are a staple of the cottage garden and mixed flower bed planting schemes. Usually a biennial plant hollyhocks produce flowers on tall spikes at the height of mid summer, from June until August. While many varieties are biennial, flowering in their second year, some cultivars are similar to perennials. This means that they flower
The petunia is a popular member of the summer flower bed. Long lasting and colorful, these attractive flowers are also deer resistant. At their most fragrant in the evening, a bed or pot of these flowers attracts evening and nighttime pollinators such as night-flying moths to your garden. Typically purchased as plug plants ready for
The cucumber plant is one of the most popular vegetable garden plants. Like peppers and tomatoes, for many they are a staple of the summer vegetable garden. The number of different shapes, sizes and flavors on offer has helped to increase this crop’s popularity. If you need help choosing a cucumber plant variety, this is
Everyone dreams of having a green and lush lawn, but you may need to give nature a small boost. Even if your lawn has everything it needs in place to grow a thick and green lawn, it may need a little encouragement. This is where the best lawn fertilizer comes in. It can liven up
Growing squash was one of the most difficult plants for me as a beginning gardener. I found myself becoming frustrated over the process, as I could never manage to get any fruits off the huge squash vines throughout the season. However, as I have gained more experience through the years, I’ve figured out some of
The search for more environmentally friendly options to incorporate into our lives and workplaces is becoming more important in the modern day. For the home gardener, growing with soil is one of the least eco-efficient options available. Let’s look at my personal favorite alternative to growing in soil: aeroponics! Aeroponics is a method of growing
When the seasons begin to change and the last frost date nears, my excitement as a gardener explodes. I love to grow tomatoes, it’s by far one of my favorite plants to grow from seed to harvest in the garden. There is a problem, however. Tomatoes can be susceptible to a host of different bugs,
An eye-catching, evergreen shrub, the Polka Dot Plant is native to Madagascar, East Asia and South Africa. Also known as ‘Freckle Face’ due to its spotty foliage, the polka dot plant is a member of the Hypoestes family. The polka dot plant can reach a height and spread of 3ft if grown in optimal conditions.
Birds can have a soothing effect on your mood as you watch them, but attracting them to your yard can be a tricky process. The best bird feeder can go a long way to attracting birds all year round, and they add a nice touch to your yard. But how do you find one when
You need your expandable garden hose to water all of your plants and vegetables to keep them healthy and happy throughout the growing season. But, this can lead to having a very bulky tool laying around your yard that easily becomes a tripping hazard if you’re not careful. Storing it can be a hassle if
You either love or you have to vacuum. However, it’s a necessary household chore that you have to do, so why not make it easier on your body? The best lightweight vacuum cleaner is easy to maneuver, and it can make your life easier each time you take it out to tackle this chore. You’re
An indoor orange tree is a great way to add greenery and fragrance to your home. As well as helping to improve air quality houseplants are also good for our mental health. Even the smallest houseplant can help to reduce your stress levels and improve your state of mind. An indoor orange tree is a
If you live in a region that experiences four seasons, you may not be able to grow plants or vegetables all year round without having a backyard greenhouse on hand. The cold or freezing temperatures can easily kill plants come mid-fall, but your backyard greenhouse can effectively shield them and give you the power to
If you want a flower that combines the look of the traditional daisy with evergreen ,year round foliage then look no further than the shasta daisy. This bright summer flower is an easy to grow, low maintenance way to fill flower beds or naturalize bare patches in the garden. An increasingly popular perennial, with both
Agapanthus are attractive, typically violet flowers that are common in warm climates. Ideal for butterfly gardens, these elegant plants produce long, lance-like leaves. Above the foliage, stems up to 3 ft tall, rise. While in the spring and summer lilac or purple globe shaped flowers emerge. A resilient plant, agapanthus thrives in USDA Zones 6
Growing fruit and nut trees is a great way to introduce height, structure and a little natural privacy to a space. It also provides you with a supply of fresh produce and is one of the quickest and easiest plants to grow. Attractive plants, the fuzzy, serrated heart shaped leaves are complimented in the spring
Plants that grow in water may sound unusual or exotic or even difficult to grow. You may think that you need lots of specialist equipment. But this is simply not the case. Growing specimens in liquid is an easy to master option for people who dislike the hassle of watering and repotting specimens. There’s also
A bee is a bee right? Wrong. There are actually many different types of bee, from the fluffy bumblebee which lives as part of a large colony to the solitary bee. While the honey bee lives in a hive, the carpenter bee prefers to make its home by drilling into wooden objects. Some varieties can
Want to learn how to grow Allium? This Allium care guide will show you how. Growing Allium is a relatively straightforward process. Once you know a few key things you will be able to fill your garden with these attractive flowers. A long lasting plant, alliums will bring color and definition to a range of
Dishwasher not draining? If you’re anything like me, your dishwasher is your greatest friend and most trusted kitchen companion. Unfortunately, it can also become one of your most frustrating enemies when it decides to act up. Like other essential appliances such as the lawnmower and vacuum cleaner, it seems like dishwashers often pick and choose
The Fuchsia plant is well worth the small amount of effort it takes to grow them. They are a relatively easy plant, and they tolerate drought reasonably well. While you won’t get amazing blooms if you let them dry a little, they will survive. Fuchsia plants do best if you can shade them from the
Looking for the best watering cans? A watering can or a watering pot is a quick and easy way to water plants manually. They come with a spout and a handle, and most standard-sized cans can hold between 1 and 2.5-gallons of water. You can get the best watering cans in metal, ceramic, or plastic.
Garden ponds can bring a unique beauty to your yard and give you a place to relax and enjoy the tranquility of nature. Adding plants to your pond can increase its beauty and bog plants can help filter the water to keep it clear and more appealing to fish and other creatures who may call
Lisianthus is an attractive perennial flower. Often grown as a full sun annual plant, it is a staple of many bridal bouquets and flower arrangements. Ideal for the cut flower garden it can also look attractive when included in a mixed flower bed. Originating in North America, lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) is an attractive but slow
Common burdock weeds are invasive plants. They are commonly found growing along roadsides or in pastures. The ability to quickly grow and spread means that if they get into your garden they can quickly overrun a lawn or flowerbed. Our guide to controlling burdock weed is designed to help you manage the weeds before they
Staghorn fern was one of the first plants in my “home jungle” – a bit of the tropics in my own little New England apartment. It’s a weird-looking plant – it has the outward spiral pattern like other members of their family, but doesn’t have the same feathery, finely-toothed leaves its cousins do. The leaves
Roses are a very popular flower that is often associated with love and romance. But for many gardeners roses don’t always conjure warm feelings of admiration. Some view it as picky or too hard to grow. Even seasoned gardeners find challenges with growing roses. However, roses aren’t always difficult to grow. But they do call
For many a crop of growing cabbage plants are a cornerstone of the vegetable plot. A versatile vegetable, cabbages have a variety of different uses. A brassica, or cruciferous vegetable you can grow cabbage plants throughout the year, meaning that with some successional sowing these resilient crops can play a vital role in your quest
Tall, bright and elegant, sunflowers are a staple plant in many gardens and allotments. Everyone from young children to experienced gardeners enjoy growing these majestic flowers during the summer months. However, what many people don’t realise is that the attraction need not end as the flowers fade. These tall, graceful flowers add a beautiful pop
A popular choice for a low maintenance houseplant, it is a common belief that anyone can successfully grow and care for a succulent. While they are easy to care for, some people, particularly nervous or inexperienced growers can panic and start to worry if their plant begins to look ill. A succulent dying or looking
Elegant and exotic, the orchid is an attractive addition to the houseplant collection. A range of different colored orchid plants can add a luxurious feel to a home. Increasingly easy to find, orchid plants are sold in numerous grocery stores and gift shops as well as flower stores and garden centers. Most commonly sold orchid
As the seasons change, so too must your own personal gardening practices. Depending on the time of year, different gardening challenges may present themselves. One common issue that every gardener must wrestle with is the potentially disastrous effects of a bad frost. If you’re an avid gardener such as myself, you’ve undoubtedly experienced the damaging
An extension offers a potential bump in your home’s value, added versatility for your home, and more room. They range from building walls and laying foundations, to plumbing, electrics, and plastering. Other features such as interior design and unique flooring have to be considered. All these are factors that affect the expenses of an addition.
Plaster is one of the most common forms of interior décor and finishing in a house. It is used to create plain, smooth surfaces for door surrounds, windows, and walls. The cost of plastering a room is based on the area to be covered. The cost for each square foot increases with how difficult it
Planting pineapple tops is a fantastic way to create an exotic looking succulent and cultivate your own juicy, delicious fruit. The process is easy and they require little care. Not to mention that rather than purchasing seeds, you’re using the crown of the fruit which would have otherwise been thrown away, so you’re saving money
The goji berry plant (Lycium Barbarum) is a hardy, deciduous shrub. Best known as a super food loaded with antioxidants, these attractive shrubs originate in the Himalayas. Today they are commonly found growing wild in areas of China, Japan, Turkey and Russia. Also known as Chinese Wolfberry and Duke of Argyll’s tea-tree, these attractive specimens
Infinitely useful, neem oil for plants is a great solution for a number of problems. Providing a safe, chemical free way to treat everything from fungal problems to infestations, this is a safe solution that won’t harm plants or animals or even wildlife. If you want to start reaping the benefits of using neem oil
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an attractive flowering perennial herb. Valued for its many culinary and medicinal uses the valerian plant is native to Asia and Europe. Its name derives from the latin verb valere meaning “to be strong and healthy”. Sometimes called all-heal, Pliny recommended the valerian plant as an analgesic over 2000 years ago.
How do you make a gritty, well-draining cactus mix for cheap? After I bought my first cactus, I fell into a black hole of researching everything I could to keep my new cactus plant happy and thriving. This research very quickly took me on a journey that looked like this: buy a new cactus plant,
Companion planting, or the art of utilizing herb plants to benefit the garden, has been in practice for a long time and is definitely not a new idea. Native Americans used the “3 Sisters” method, our ancestors used herbs to help vegetable gardens produce heavier harvests, and today gardeners all over have modified this practice
Terrariums are closed environment miniature gardens. The closed nature of the container means that your miniature garden develops its own ecosystem. Whilst appearing complex, these beautiful terrariums are actually very simple to make and enjoy in your own home. Today we’ll be learning how to make a DIY terrarium. This post will also provide you
If you’ve ever dealt with pests in your garden, you’ve probably tried any number of supposedly effective home remedies that don’t actually work and just harm your plant, leaving the insects fat and happy. Or, you may have tried something more extreme by going down the route of toxic pesticides and been shocked to find
An attractive ornamental plant, burning bush is a deciduous shrub native to Asia. Popular in North American landscapes for its dense multi-stemmed appearance, the common name of these slow growing shrubs is inspired by the red flame-like appearance of its foliage during the fall months. While the main attraction of the burning bush (Euonymus alatus)
One of the most commonly found pests, slugs in garden and allotment areas can do significant amounts of damage in a surprisingly short amount of time. Capable of wiping out a collection of young flowers or vegetables in a night, they are often described as the gardener’s worst nightmare. Keeping slugs in garden and allotment
The horseradish plant may not be the most attractive member of the garden but, thanks to the distinctive flavor of its peppery root, it is a popular addition. Grown for over 3000 years the horseradish plant (Amoracia rusticiana) is part of the cruciferous vegetable family, meaning that it is distantly related to the cabbage. A
As the summer months approach, fresh garden salsa becomes in hot demand. After all, nothing tops the flavor that salsa from homegrown tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic creates. However, growing a salsa garden can be complex. How should you approach creating a garden that must provide for so many different types of herbs and vegetables?
Looking for the best Himalayan Salt Lamp? Have you ever been in someone’s home and noticed a glowing, craggy object sitting on a table? Chances are you were looking at a Himalayan salt lamp! These lamps are crystals carved from amber-colored Himalayan rock salt. They are hollowed out to fit a lightbulb inside of them.
How to stop a dog chewing in order to save your home furniture? Are you constantly losing socks and finding them in pieces later? Is your wooden furniture covered in ugly scratch marks? In other words, do you have a puppy who chews? If so, I feel your pain. My beagle/basset puppy, Sophie, doesn’t just
Want to create a DIY compost bin? This guide on how to make compost at home will show you how to start composting. What do banana peels, dead leaves, and cow poop all have in common? If you’re thinking nutrients for the garden, you’d be right. Making your own compost adds nutrient-dense, rich soil to