Author: Joseph Greenfinger
Hello GPODers! Today we return to Heidi Weirether’s flower-filled garden. We first saw her garden in early summer (check out that post here: Heidi’s Colorful Garden in Fairfield County) and it’s amazing how much has changed in a month! Like many in the Northeast this year, Heidi is seeing beautiful hydrangeas in bloom—but that’s just the tip of the flower iceberg in her gorgeous garden: It looks like it’s been a bumper year for all of Heidi’s flowers. We’re getting the first peaks of gorgeous blue hydrangeas (love the mophead and lacecap combination), but the shasta daisies (Leucanthemum flower ×…
Chances are you’re familiar with the cluttercore design style, even if you don’t know the name. Here, we’ll break down the ins and outs of cluttercore, how you can achieve the look in your home, and the specific design tips you’ll want to follow when decorating your space. Meet the expert Melanie Summer is a professional organizer and owner of I Speak Organized. Samantha Klein is an interior design content creator who runs the Instagram page @samswhurld. @nudeandthenovice / Instagram What is Cluttercore? Cluttercore has been gaining popularity over the past few years. The design trend is “all about celebrating…
Summer heat is in full swing, and it’s normal to be worried about lawn care. If you notice your grass is drying out, turning dull instead of green, or not growing well, you may be watering your lawn at the wrong times. Learn how to keep your grass from wilting this summer so you can have the best looking lawn on the block. Does watering grass in the sun burn the grass? One of the most common questions people ask is whether they can water their lawn when it is sunny for fear of burning or scalding the lawn. The…
In case you didn’t know, hydrangeas are having a great year. Across the Northeast, you’ll see bigger and better hydrangea blooms this summer. But why exactly? And how can you make sure yours look as great as your neighbor’s? We’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more about what conditions make hydrangeas so spectacular this year and how to make yours look even better. Why are hydrangeas blooming more beautifully this year? The reason hydrangeas are looking better than usual this year is because of the weather and climate we’ve been experiencing over the winter. While this winter hasn’t…
Loft area (square feet) Average costs 500 $500 to $2,250 1,000 $1,000 to $4,500 1,200 $1,200 to $5,400 1,500 $1,500 to $6,750 2,000 $2,000 to $9,000 Want more tips and inspiration for your home improvement project? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest home improvement tips, tutorials, and more! Amount of insulation In some cases, the existing insulation is still good enough to be reused, so the installer can simply add to the existing insulation to increase the R-value, resulting in a lower overall cost. But if the entire existing insulation needs to be removed and replaced,…
Realizing you’re running out of detergent right after filling a load can be an “oh no” moment. It’s tempting to consider trying other soapy detergents as a quick and easy alternative to detergent. But while some In a pinch, household items can be used as laundry detergents, but there’s one detergent you should never put in your washing machine: dish soap. Here is what experts have to say on the matter. Can you wash clothes with dish soap? “Add dish soap[to your washing machine] “It’s not a good idea,” said Jade Piper, CEO of Milwaukee-based cleaning company BetterCleans. “The bubbles…
Beloved paint brand Sherwin-Williams has released its 2025 color forecast. They have released their 2025 Colormix® Forecast, which includes 48 trending colors organized into four color families: Chrysalis, Paradox, Wellspring, and Kindred. Each capsule includes 12 different colors and tells the deeper stories of thoughtfully chosen paint colors in a home, as well as highlighting some of the big trends we can expect to see in the coming year. Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, shares with The Spruce how color experts consider a variety of influences, from art and culture to sustainability and innovation to technology. “This…
A colony of ants in your kitchen is probably not a welcome sight. Ants are common household pests, but they can be easily eliminated if you act quickly. We spoke to pest control experts about homemade ant killers worth trying. Mix up one of the solutions below to kill ants in your home. Dishwashing liquid and water Dishwashing liquid is a staple household cleaner and has thousands of uses, including being an effective ant killer. “It strips away their hard skin and because they can’t retain water in their bodies, they dry up and die,” says Thorne. Materials 2 tablespoons…
Pollinator plants play an important role in a thriving backyard ecosystem. Pollen-rich flowers nourish and support many species of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. While wildflower beds and natural meadows are popular, gardeners with smaller green spaces can still create a potted plant. pollinator garden has the ability to attract many useful friends.Luckily, there are many small pollinator plants that thrive in raised beds, hanging baskets, and containers. Learning more about these flowers can help you create a beautiful container pollinator garden that attracts bees and butterflies. These pollinator garden ideas for small spaces can help you make the…
“Increasing curb appeal” is often used to refer to updating the exterior of your home when you’re selling it. But it can also mean creating a welcoming front yard for you and your family. Adding trees and shrubs can make any gathering more enjoyable by providing natural beauty and shade to your home.What are the best plants for a front yard? While every landscape and climate is different, we have some great front yard plant ideas for you to consider.The most beautiful front yard plantsAll plants have their own beauty and can be perfect in a particular environment. That is…