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1. Choose Pumpkins Wisely Pumpkin plants can be quite different from each other, depending on variety, so it’s important to select the right one for your climate and available space, advises Darrell Geissler who grows thousands of heirloom and hybrid pumpkins on his farm in Iowa. For example, in short-season areas in northern regions, it’s best to grow quicker-maturing varieties or start them early indoors. And some larger varieties such as ‘Jack-o-Lantern’ can grow vines as long as 17 feet so they need plenty of space to ramble....

1. Meaning Behind the Name Believe it or not, you can tell a lot about hydrangea plant care by its name. Hydrangea is from Greek descent: “Hydro” means water and “angos” means jar or vessel. And in fact, hydrangeas need lots of water to thrive. 2. Hydrangea Symbolism The symbolism behind the hydrangea flower differs with culture and time period. In Japan, hydrangeas are said to be a sign of gratitude because ancient emperors would give them to their maidens as a sign of thanks....

No matter which onion family plant you pick, aim to stock up on firm ones that are blemish-free with little to no distinguishable scent when whole. Store onion family vegetables of all kinds in a cool, dark place that’s well ventilated. Only refrigerate once peeled. Sliced or chopped, grated or minced, each different type of onions can add a unique flavor dimension to your dish. Opting for the onion variety best suited for the job will ensure the best (and most tasty) finished product....

There’s nothing like waking up to a decorated Christmas tree with a few presents under it on Christmas morning, especially if you have little ones. As you celebrate the holiday at home this year, use these festive ideas to make Christmas morning extra special for your family. Whether it’s as simple as preparing a special breakfast or dressing in matching pajamas, every tradition adds up to create Christmas memories that will last a lifetime....

Often, an area rug is the first purchase I make for a new space, creating the inspiration for my future aesthetic or simply cheering me up as I forge a new home for myself. The right rug can blend with your decor, define it, or contrast in a visually pleasing way, making the choice of color, design, and style all the more important. Now is the perfect time to browse for area rugs on Wayfair—the retailer reduced prices for its Way Day sale, which runs from October 26 and 27....

There are more than 3500 posts under #thanksgivingcharcuterie on Instagram, so it seems we’re not the only ones intrigued by these delectable holiday displays. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite images to help inspire your own holiday snacking. Follow these steps to build your own Thanksgiving charcuterie board, and borrow inspiration from these gorgeous photos to give your board a festive holiday spirit. Set this year’s holiday board apart by sticking to a theme....

The couple added brightness to the great-room by whitewashing everything—beams, walls, and fireplace bricks. Even 1970s wall paneling looks like cerused wood after a decorative paint finish was applied. Then Erin further lightened the mood: Notice the “Beware of children” sign on the mantel? “You need to have some whimsy,” she says. Pillow-lined window seats at both ends of the light, bright space beckon budding readers, and the ottoman is sometimes a racetrack, sometimes a doctor’s exam table....

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However, cleaning gutters can be a dangerous task. In fact, thousands of people are injured annually from ladder falls. Therefore, many homeowners are opting to clean their gutters from the safety of the ground. Methods for Cleaning Gutters from the Ground While DIYers have come up with many creative ways to clean gutters from the ground, there are a few popular methods that can be performed using store-bought attachments for tools you likely already own....

Plants for Creating the Small Children’s Vegetable Garden Plan ‘Baby Boo’ pumpkin ‘Jack-be-little’ pumpkin ‘Heavenly Blue’ morning glory ‘Mammoth’ or ‘California Greystripe’ sunflower ‘Easter Egg’ radish ‘Tristar’ or ‘Ozark Beauty’ strawberry ‘Sungold’ tomato Marigold (Sophia mix) If you aren’t able to find the exact cultivars listed above, substitute with others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes. And because some plants can become overly aggressive and spread out of control in certain climates, always check which species are considered invasive in your area before planting....

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Your laundry room is one of the most-used spaces in your home, where cleaning, sorting, and organizing happens—and often simultaneously. That said, while practicality is always a must, that doesn’t mean a laundry room’s doors can’t be aesthetically pleasing, too. From sturdy, neutral laundry room doors to bold and trendy colors and designs—plus options for large and small spaces, too—here are some of our favorite laundry room door ideas to give your space a stylish upgrade....

You’ve probably noticed the syrup bottles are displayed next to pancake mix at the grocery store (for obvious reasons). But does that tell you how to store this sweet staple at home? The short answer is no. Just as you refrigerate open pasta sauces or condiments like ketchup and mustard, you should stick your opened maple syrup inside the fridge. Read on to learn more about storing maple syrup, as well as its corn syrup-based cousin, table syrup....

Carry a poinsettia theme through your decor with homemade paper poinsettias, used as accents on a tinsel garland, gift toppers, or wreath ornaments. Stored loosely wrapped in tissue paper in a waterproof box at the end of the season, they’ll last for several holidays to come. To make a carved pumpkin last longer, soak it in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water before you cut. Keep the top and stem intact and cut a hole at the bottom or back of the pumpkin for cleaning out and adding a light....

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Lightfoot and Pawlowski’s approach to organizing is empathetic, compassionate, and intentional: “I think our general, overall approach to everything in the home is that you don’t need to be a minimalist,” Pawlowski says. “But you do need to be intentional about what you’re keeping.” Through their decade-old New Jersey­–based organizing service and new book, Lightfoot and Pawlowski are hoping to change the way we bring new items into our home—and how we get rid of (or keep) those things we just can’t seem to let go of....

How long does a Christmas tree last? How long your Christmas tree lasts depends on how well you take care of it. If it is kept well-watered, a Christmas tree can last around four to five weeks before drying out. You can tell you’re doing it right if the tree doesn’t shed its needles or bow under the weight of your ornaments. The species of tree also contributes to the tree’s lifespan....

How to Clean White Canvas Shoes with Vinegar Use this method to clean white canvas shoes (such as Converse All Stars or Vans sneakers) and keep them looking spotless. What You Need Toothbrush 3 tbsp. baking soda 1 tbsp. white vinegar Soft cloth or paper towel Bleach pen, if needed Eraser sponge, such as a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Step 1: Remove Loose Dirt Untie and remove the shoelaces so you can easily access all parts of the shoe....

How to Freeze Pancakes For the most part, you can freeze and reheat just about any kind of pancake. Just make sure you freeze the pancakes while plain, before adding any syrup, butter, or other toppings (those come after you reheat!). But feel free to freeze buttermilk, buckwheat, chocolate chip, blueberry, or other fruity pancakes—they should all freeze and reheat to be just as delicious as any pancake fresh off the griddle....

1. Choose Your Plants Once you have an idea of what you want to plant around your deck, the other aspects of the project will fall into place. Start by picking out a few larger shrubs or even small trees you’d like to include. Then choose smaller perennials and ornamental grasses to fill in around them. Make sure that the plants you choose will grow in your Hardiness Zone and in the amount of sunlight your yard receives....