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¾ cup oil-packed tomatoes Olive oil ¼ cup pine nuts or slivered almonds ¼ cup snipped fresh basil ½ teaspoon salt 4 teaspoon bottled minced garlic

Two Types of Mulch There are two basic kinds of mulch: Organic and inorganic. Organic materials—wood, bark, compost, grass clippings, and leaves—will decompose and improve the soil. They last a few years, after which you’ll need to add more. In addition, organic mulches are easy to spread and do no harm if mixed into soil, as will happen when planting annuals or shrubs, for example. Stone, by contrast, is meant to be a more or less permanent mulch, to be put in place atop a layer of landscape fabric and left alone....

Spray painting wicker furniture is the best way to get a consistent finish, but this project can get messy, so do it outdoors when the weather forecast calls for a day or two of warm temperatures, calm winds, and no rain. When you’re ready to get started, follow these simple steps.

1. Choose the Right Container Much like plants, containers have their own characteristics to take into account, including weight, sensitivity to weather changes, and appearance. You’ll also want to consider your budget, space, and style when choosing a container. Keep in mind that the larger the size, the less you’ll need to water, but whatever you choose, always make sure the container has holes in the bottom for drainage. Some common types of pots include the following....

What is powdery mildew? Lots of plants, both edible and ornamental, can get powdery mildew. Unlike many other fungal plant diseases, the fungi that cause powdery mildew thrive in hot, dry weather that’s often the norm in mid- to late summer. As these fungi grow on the surface of leaves, they clog leaf pores and block sunlight that the plant needs to grow. The disease can be introduced to the garden on plants purchased from the nursery, or from spores in the soil....

How to Store Muffins and Quick Bread When storing yeast bread, make sure the storage environment is dry enough to maintain the crusty exterior. Storage for quick bread is different. For these, the goal is to retain moisture. To store muffins and quick bread for the best flavor and texture, use these tips. Freezing Muffins and Quick Bread If you don’t plan on devouring your homemade blueberry muffins or cornbread within 3 days of baking (and there are no signs of mold), freezing them is your best bet....

What You’ll Need PaintPaint panRoller brush and coverWaterDrop clothLint roller Step 1: Pour Paint Pour an inch of paint into a paint pan. Make sure the paint pan is on a flat surface. Place the roller cover onto the roller handle and remove any wrapping. With any paint job, invest in a higher-end cover for a better paint job. The cheapest cover options don’t hold as much paint, which can make a paint job take much longer....

Beginning in September, new and existing IKEA Family members get 5% off eligible in-store purchases, plus other new benefits, including special pricing on certain online delivery options, 90-day price protection, and more. The beloved Swedish furniture company quietly launched the new IKEA Family discount benefit on September 1, 2022, with a larger announcement covering the new 5% discount and special delivery pricing on September 12. This new IKEA Family discount marks the first time U....

Pollinator Favorite Ironweed provides nectar loved by pollinators: long-tongue bees, flies, skippers, and butterflies such as monarchs, swallowtails, and American painted ladies. It also provides a food source for caterpillar moths. Create an oasis for these vital members of our ecosystem by planting ironweed alongside other pollinator plants: goldenrod, giant hyssop, prairie blazing star, smooth blue aster, and Culver’s root, for example. In addition to planting for pollinators, you can enhance your backyard habitat by eliminating the use of pesticides....

1 cup snipped dried apricots ¼ cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon lemon juice ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 ½ cup finely crushed pretzels ⅓ cup melted butter 1 egg white For filling: