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“Gardening gloves are essential,” says Karen Funkenbusch, extension specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. “I suggest wearing gloves for most garden-related activities. They can help you avoid scrapes, pricks from thorns, splinters, blisters, cuts from garden tools or equipment, and any potentially harmful substances that you may be using in your garden.” Of course, not all garden gloves are created equal. Some are ideal for weeding and planting, while others are great for heavy-duty tasks....

There are so many options available, from almost every home decor retailer and furniture store, that choosing a bookshelf is both fun and daunting. Plus, you absolutely have to take into consideration the space you have and what you want to store–two factors with near-equal impact on how you’ll decide the best bookshelf for you. We talked with Lindsey Putzier of Lindsey Putzier Design Studio and Samantha Tannehill of Sam Tannehill Designs about their advice for selecting bookshelves for your home as well as insights on specific bookshelves and retailers....

This new affinity for bold outdoor colors could be traced back to the difficulty of the past couple of years, says Lisa Tharp, designer and creator of ECOS Paints’ color collection Lisa Tharp Colors. “There is a greater need for celebrating what is good and letting go of decisions that, in the grand scheme of life, are not that important,” she says. “This means injecting more joy into the colors one chooses, and even into the selection process itself....

“The whole point of ice is to make (and keep) your drink cold, while also adding some dilution from the ice melt,” says Jason Percival, beverage manager at Himmel Hospitality Group. “Although it might seem counterintuitive, the best bet to keep the beverage cold without watering it down is to use plenty of ice so that it fills the whole glass rather than a few cubes floating on top.” Our team of experts tested 15 ice makers in our testing lab in Birmingham, Alabama, evaluating each machine based on water capacity, dimensions of the appliance, ice production time, ice cube shape, and the noise level of the machine....

Water the bale thoroughly for three days to ensure it stays damp, checking for moisture and heat by pushing your hand inside the bale. During the next six days, use a general-purpose liquid fertilizer to ensure that the bale has enough nitrogen to grow healthy plants. After feeding the bale, keep it damp for two more days before planting. Finally, when the bale feels warm but cooler than your hand, you’re ready to plant!...

“It would have been a lot cheaper to tear it down,” Rob admits. But as the proud new owner of a historic Prairie School home, dreams of a fabulous renovation danced in his head. Yes, the place had fallen on hard times. Yes, many of its historical elements had been covered up. “It had been 1980s-ized,” Rob says. “But I think if you live in Chicago, you should live in a home that honors this area’s architectural roots....

1. Flexible Lighting As the kitchen continues to transform into a multifunctional space, lighting plays a key role. “Lighting controls, and the ability to adjust your light to the task at hand, is an important trend,” says Greg Martin, creative director of design at Kichler Lighting. “This could be as simple as the ability to dim light levels or as complex as app-controlled color temperature and light intensity.” According to the 2022 Design Trends Report by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), app- and voice-controlled lighting will be as popular as traditional dimmers and motion-sensing lighting in the coming year....

Here, lovely pink and purple anemone are a fun contrast to golden-yellow California poppy. Shown here are pink foxgloves, blue delphiniums, a pink hydrangea, and red snapdragon. Related Video

Fireflies are predators of many garden pests and essential pollinators, so it’s crucial to find out if their numbers are growing or shrinking. That’s why Mass Audubon, a nonprofit that protects over 38,000 acres of land in Massachusetts, asks people to spend 10 minutes per week counting firefly flashes. Even if you don’t see any, that will still provide valuable information to scientists. If you want to participate in the project, keep an eye out for fireflies before they usually come out in your area....

Cover Crop Benefits Cover cropping can benefit any garden, says horticulture educator Chris Enroth with Illinois Extension. In addition to crowding out weeds, it puts down roots that feed the soil’s community of living organisms—including fungi, bacteria, and earthworms—that provide nutrients to future plantings. A cover crop’s roots and organic materials also loosen compacted soil and produce binding agents. These help soil filter water to plant roots and hold some of it there for later rather than pooling it on the surface or letting it run off, taking soil with it....

What is a rain chain? Originally called kusari-doi, rain chains started in Japan, where they are still used to keep water runoff away from roofs and foundations of homes. Beautiful and highly functional, rain chains attach to gutters and guide rainwater down to the ground or to a water-harvesting receptacle. In Japan, they are used on homes, garden pagodas, temples, and other iconic settings. The popularity of rain chains has soared in the United States in recent years and it’s no wonder why....

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From simple to ornate, the right area rug can either blend into the background or become the room’s focal point. Laying down a new rug is also an easy way to give your living space a quick refresh. Simply decide which rug size best fits your space, then choose a color and pattern that complements the pieces you already have. To help inspire your own living space, we’re sharing our favorite living room rug ideas....

1. Utilize Outdoor Space Summer is the time to get outside! Utilize your outdoor space to throw a summer dinner party under the stars, a pergola, or treetops. Update your patio space with wall decor, a DIY fire pit, or planters. Make sure there is plenty of outdoor seating for all of your guests. Oversize outdoor pillows tossed about the space is a super-easy way to create more seating that is unforgettably cozy....

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Buy It: Hamilton Beach Stack and Snap 12-Cup Food Processor ($60, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: Serranos and other chile peppers contain oils that can irritate your skin and eyes. Wear plastic or rubber gloves when working with them. Buy It: OXO Good Grips 7-Cup Smart Seal Glass Round Container ($16, OXO) Related Video

Buy It: All-Clad Grill Pan, $60, Williams Sonoma Buy It: Lodge Cast-Iron Grill Pan, $39, Target Test Kitchen Tip: Enjoy leftovers as a grab-and-go breakfast sandwich the next day by tucking a sliver inside a pita or between two slices of toast. Related Video

Test Kitchen Tip: Make the squash blend, ricotta mixture, and slice the toasts up to 24 hours in advance. Store each in a separate airtight container (the toast at room temp, the other two in the fridge). Just before the party, toast the bread as you allow the other two elements to come to room temp. Then layer it up! Test Kitchen Tip: This DIY condiment makes seven half-pints. Enjoy one at the soirée, then send guests home with a jar each as a thoughtful food gift that will extend the celebration....

Tip: for more protein, add some baked chicken Related Video