Here's When You Should Cut Back Your Hydrangeas For Winter

You might be off the hook if you wait too long. Do I Need To Cut Back Hydrangeas For Winter? You don’tneedto cut back hydrangeas. Credit:Getty Images/Helin Loik-Tomson Eventually, this could inhibit the growth of the plant and impact its blooms. If it’s a new wood hydrangea, you’ve bought yourself some time. If you miss this window, don’t worry, but, also, put away the pruning shears. Credit:Getty Images/Catherine McQueen “I love panicle hydrangeas because they arent fussy about pruning....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 155 words · Rachel Wood

Here's When You Should Prune A Butterfly Bush For Optimal Growth

Heres when to trim back this summer-flowering shrub. Getty Images Butterfly bushes are hugely popular in the South for many reasons. Of course, they also provide nectar-rich food forbutterflies, which visit these pretty shrubs all season long. Credit:Getty Images Mostbutterfly bushesthrive in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9 (check your zonehere). These often are marketed as summer lilacs. Should You Prune A Butterfly Bush? In mild winters, they may remain partly green, and they may even keep blooming occasionally....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 225 words · Laurie Swanson

Here's Where You Should Put Your Dishwasher Detergent Pods

We break down the science behind your detergent and where to put it. The world of TikTokcleaning hackscan be exciting and even controversial. Dishwasher hacks and how-tos alone have clocked millions of views on the platform. Credit:Getty Images Heres the storyand the bottom line on where you should put your dishwasher pods and why. However, this advice sparked debates all over the internet. How Do Dishwasher Detergent Pods Work? Experts at several appliance companies adviseagainstleaving your pods loose in the dishwasher....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 185 words · Jason Clark

Here's Why Pound And Ounce Are Abbreviated As 'lb.' And 'oz.'

Whenreading through a recipe, we’ve all gotten used to seeing teaspoons abbreviated as tsp. and pint is pt., but have you ever wondered how the word pound was abbreviated as lb.? It’s an odd choice since they don’t have any letters in common. Credit: SharonWills/Getty Images Or, what about ounces shortened to oz.? Where did that stray “z” come from? To find out, it requires a trip through English language history....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 196 words · Jerry Bell

Here's Why You Should Never Overlook The Difference Between Polished Nickel And Chrome

What’s the difference between polished nickel and chrome? A designer weighs in. Amy Wadhwani is an interior designer atNFM. Credit:Courtesy of Arditi Design, Photography by Kyle J. Caldwell But choosing a finish based on good looks alone isnt always wise. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between these two popular finishes. But its also at home in modern kitchens with a cooler color palette. It also works well with basic neutrals like white, gray, or black....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 211 words · Jacob Orr

Here's Why You Should Use The Ice Cube Method With Your Houseplants

It’s alright, having a green thumb is a truly rare quality to possess. Why Water With Ice Cubes? This helicopter plant parenting can cause root rot, a fungus that grows on roots andkills your plantquickly. Credit: sagarmanis/Getty Images So, to avoid overwatering all you better do is take a more measured approach. This way the plant gets to suck up all that H2O slowly, but surely. Moreover, this will also help stave off any messy watering overflow that may occur....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 246 words · Ashley Garrett

Here's Why Your Closet Smells Musty—And How To Fix It

But if your closet starts to stink, not all hope is lost. Keep reading to find out what’s causing that musty smell in your closet. Common causes of odor in clothing and shoes include sweat, grease, and urine or feces. Credit:Getty Images / Giselle Flissack Poor Ventilation Larger closets with little (or no) ventilation can struggle with musty smells. That’s because air gets trapped inside with no way to circulate in or out....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 212 words · Thomas Rodgers

Here’s Everything You Need To Know About June Bugs

The tiny pests go by many namesand they can wreak havoc on your lawn. Despite the cutesy name, the insect can be a bit of a nuisance. While the adults don’t sting or bite, the larvae can spell trouble for your garden or lawn. Credit:Brett_Hondow/Getty Images Brett_Hondow/Getty Images Meet the Expert What Are June Bugs? A common kind found in the South is the green June beetle. “As they are weak flyers, they are often seen crashing into windows or porch screens....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 268 words · Vanessa Hartman

Here’s Everything You Should Have In Your Snow Emergency Kit, Including This Extendable Ice Scraper

If you tap on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The next winter storm is no match for these must-haves. The Pohaku pocket multitool has more than4,600 five-star ratingsfrom shoppers, and for good reason. Credit:Southern Living Afinal customerwrote, I carry this around almost everywhere I go. I have found it has come in handy a few times to repair something or to help open something. Ready to build the rest of your snow emergency kit?...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 100 words · Patricia Atkinson

Here’s How Much Kitchen Countertops Cost To Update

There are a lot of materials to help you create a new (looking) kitchen. We tapped Home Care Expert Bailey Carson at Angi to give us the lowdown onkitchen countertop renovations. Bailey Carsonis a Home Care Expertat Angi. Credit: Laurey W. Glenn However, Carson shares that installing countertops tends to range from $1,871 to $4,426. The price in Dallas, Texas, ranges from $1,565 to $3,560. Carson shares that while natural stone materials (quartz, granite, marble, etc....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 288 words · Dylan Smith

Here’s How To Help Eastern Kentucky Following Catastrophic Flooding

Per the governor, this was one of the most challenging weather events we have faced. The region endured over a months worth of rain in just 24 hours, perAccuweather. The severe weather impacted the entire state but the eastern part has suffered the worst of the damage. Credit:Jon Cherry / Stringer/Getty Images Many lost power and in this extreme cold, that has created a second emergency for the state. But, as they usually do in the wake of disaster,the helpershave arrived....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 250 words · Alexander Christensen

Here’s How To Safely Sharpen Scissors At Home, According To Experts

Let’s cut to the chase. But what about your kitchen shears or your office scissors? There are few experiences as unpleasant as trying to cut with a dull pair. Credit: Getty Images Luckily, the fix is easy. Here are two easy sharpening methods as well as their tips. How Often Should You Sharpen Scissors? When it comes to sharpening, there’s no standard timetable. It boils down to how often you use your scissors and what you’re cutting....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 582 words · Sara Hernandez

Here’s What Interior Designers Recommend Spending Your Money On During Black Friday

If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation. Prices start at just $10. Southern Living / Amazon Who do you trust for the best home decor advice? Credit:Southern Living / Amazon Influencers usually have some exciting ideas, and theresalways our momsto fall back on, of course. We love incorporating large vases with greenery into our designs to add a touch of sophistication. Now the lowest price it has been in the past 30 days, Wilsons pick is themimosa scent....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 210 words · Daryl Shields