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1. Look for Different Types of Pumpkins If you picture an orange globe when thinking of a pumpkin, you might be surprised by what you will find at a pumpkin patch. Along with the classic pumpkins for carving your spooktacular Jack-o’-lanterns, many farms also grow heirlooms, which are older varieties with unique characteristics such as deep ribs, bumpy skin, and all sorts of colors. Their unusual appearance makes them extra fun to use in your fall displays....

When you look around your dark home at night, you might see dozens of electronic devices idling, waiting to be used. Or they’re still plugged into chargers long after they’ve reached full power. The energy consumed by these devices as they remain on standby mode is called a phantom load, a standby load, or even “vampire power.” These gadgets use valuable energy when we’re not using them, and the expense can add up....

Watersprouts vs. Suckers—What’s the Difference? Woody stems that spring up from the roots of a tree are called suckers. Suckers are most common on trees that are grafted to different rootstock than the upper portion of the plant. If left in place, a sucker can grow into a second trunk and compete with the main tree. Because suckers usually develop from the rootstock of a grafted plant, the sucker will likely have a different leaf shape, growth habit, and size than the main tree....

If your cake didn’t rise or had a dense texture instead of the light and fluffy one you wanted, there are factors to keep in mind during your cake-baking adventures. Successful baking requires attention to every detail, and following these guidelines will help your cakes rise with a tender and airy crumb. Every time. What Makes a Cake Rise It’s essential to learn what makes a cake rise to prevent it from sinking (or rising and then deflating after cooling)....

Of course, forgoing sprinklers or turning off your irrigation system when the weather turns hot and dry in the summer will usually result in a brown, crispy lawn but that doesn’t mean your grass is dead or dying. “Turf grasses can withstand far more drought than we might think,” says Bob Mann, an agronomist with NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals). “Most grasses are well-adapted to drier conditions. It’s one of their evolutionary benefits,” he adds....

Test Kitchen Tip: For sheen, brush the loaves with an egg wash before baking. Buy It: 6 Cup Popover Pan ($15, Bed Bath and Beyond) Test Kitchen Tip: Use a mandoline slicer ($50, Williams Sonoma) to make even slices of potato. Related Video

1. Repot Your Rosemary Rosemary seeds are difficult to germinate, so the easiest way to start growing rosemary indoors is to buy young potted plants. Rosemary plants are often available year round, and some varieties such as compact ‘Blue Boy’ are ideal for growing indoors. Once you get your new rosemary plants home, repot them into a container that’s one or two sizes larger than the original container. Keep in mind that a plant in a porous clay pot needs water more often than one in a plastic or ceramic pot....

Editor’s tip: To see items clearly and impart a quick style upgrade, line the backs of dark cupboards or open shelves with light-color, subtly patterned wallpaper. If you’re afraid of the commitment, try mounting scrapbook paper with removable adhesive strips. Related Video

Buy It: Staub Dutch Oven ($330-$360, Williams Sonoma) Related Video

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Buy It: OXO Colander, ($25 Target) Buy It: Lodge Dutch Oven, ($70, Target) Related Video

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Tip: Serve extra “balloons” on the side or as sweet cupcake toppers so each guest gets one. No more fights over the best slice! Related Video

Test Kitchen Tip: Choose how long this recipe takes with our instructions to make it in the slow cooker or pressure cooker. Test Kitchen Tip: Make the dish up to 24 hours before serving. Test Kitchen Tip: Assemble the sandwiches up to eight hours before the Halloween party. Related Video

Editor’s Tip: If the first layer of color isn’t bright enough, apply a second coat. Let the picture dry entirely before framing. Editor’s Tip: Fill holes by snipping and gluing individual pom-poms from extra trim. Add green plants that create hilarious-looking hairdos. Editor’s Tip: Before adhering the photos to the tiles, make sure they’re clean to avoid any dirt or dust in your photos. Repeat with paint chips in different colors to create a fun wall display....

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Editor’s Note: Keep flammable materials away from the candle’s flame and heat. Don’t leave burning candles unattended. A battery-operated flameless candle can be a good choice for this project. Editor’s Tip: Our silhouette patterns are mirror versions of the shapes in the image. Print and trace the patterns onto the back of the shelf liner. When cutting out, the figures on the front of the shelf liner face the direction shown in the photo....

DIYers take note: Here’s how to make your own pomegranate juice. Related Video

Editor’s tip: You don’t have to fill the entire plastic cauldron with pumpkins! Stuff crumpled newspaper into the bottom and place a few pumpkins on top. Editor’s Tip: Slip a few black roses into the mix, or place miniature pumpkins at the base of the decoration—painted black if you’d like—to make the orange flowers really pop in this Halloween centerpiece. Editor’s Tip: Use clear plastic blocks in lieu of glass vases....