The Home News 2024 Home & Garden Supplement

Top gardening trends of 2024, so far

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Mocktail or Cocktail Gardens

Even if you regularly plant a vegetable or herb garden, you might want to dedicate a portion of your garden beds to a cocktail or mocktail garden that provides just-picked ingredients for your favorite drinks. Think berries and fruit, fresh herbs like mint, lavender and rosemary, tiny tomatoes or cucumber slices for garnish and a slew of other herbs to be muddled or mixed in.

Pollinator and Native Plant Gardens

A focus on outdoor plants that come from your area has been popular for several years, as people look to grow gardens that support the local ecosystem, while creating gardens that are easier to maintain through extremes in temperature and rainfall.

Rain Gardens

Gardens can do more than just look beautiful— and rain gardens are the perfect example of a garden multitasker. By planting moisture-loving plants in low-lying areas of your yard, you'll help those plants thrive while minimizing their care, and help deal with excess water that could create flooding problems.

Front Yard Gardens

While the front yard used to be reserved for a little basic landscaping and a large swath of lawn, more people are opting to skew their front yard

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ratio more heavily towards a garden.

Moon Gardens

While most people focus on planning gardens that look beautiful during the day, more gardeners are opting to create some interest for after the sun goes down. These types of gardens utilize plants with white or light blue blooms and silvery-gray foliage that glow in the light of the moon.

Goth Gardens

Consider this garden style the dark side to a moon garden's glow. Goth gardens are basically Wednesday Addams' dream garden, using dark colored flowers and plants to create drama— think blood red Black Magic roses, black Queen of the Night tulips or Black Barlow columbine.

Fairy Gardens

Lean into the whimsical and magical aspects of your garden for this up-and-coming garden design. When you think about a fairy garden, think about a fun stepping stone walkway, a garden layered with ornamental grasses, blooming flowers and color.

Scent Gardens

While you'll always want to focus on how your garden looks when you're plotting out your garden design, more people are choosing plants that smell wonderful as well; think roses, verbenas, gardenias, lavender and rosemary.

‘Spooky’ house noises to watch out for familyhandyman.com

Are noises in your house startling your children, unnerving your guests and keeping you up at night? Make it stop!

Squeaky Door

This unsettling noise, one of the most common complaints from homeowners, often stems from the natural expansion and contraction of wood, or the wear and tear of door hinges.

To address this, we recommend applying a shot of dry lubricant to the hinges. Then open and close the door a few times to make sure enough lubricant gets into the hinge pin before it dries.

Another trick: Putting natural lubricants like petroleum jelly or olive oil on the hinge, which aren’t as messy as spray lubricant.

Whistling Window

If you notice a whistling sound from your windows, it most likely indicates an issue with weatherstripping. Wind flowing through gaps around the windows creates the whistling. Address this by adding weatherstripping and/or caulk to seal around windows and doors. This will also boost the energy efficiency of your home.

it immediately. Dryer vent fires are serious and can cause your home to go up in smoke very quickly. You can clear out the vent yourself or call a professional.

Creaky Stairs

A staple in horror movies, creaky stairs can be particularly off-putting. Stairs are made up of wooden parts, so it’s inevitable that they’ll eventually start to creak since age causes looseness. Luckily, you can repair creaky stairs yourself.

Loud Banging or Clanking Appliances

Banging or clanking noises coming from appliances could mean something is stuck, or the device is about to fail.

If your dryer makes a loud, rumbling noise, you may need to replace the motor. If your air conditioner is making a racket, you can replace the condenser yourself.

Buzzing Walls

Home Improvement

6 home improvement ideas for fall

Screechy Dryer

courtesy of windowsonwashington.net

Fall is the perfect time to tack-

le almost any home improve-

ment project: you are well-rested after your summer holiday, the weather is pleasant and, with the summer heat waves over, you

Ever notice an irritating screeching noise and discover it’s coming from your dryer? It may be a clogged dryer vent. If your dryer is screeching and is warm or hot to the touch, turn it off and unplug

can finally get organized. More importantly, there are some home improvement projects that should be done during fall.

Read on to find the must-do list that any homeowner must check off before the winter chill sets in.

If your walls are buzzing, it’s possible bees have moved in! Several species may take up residence in your home if they find a way in. The most common are honey bees. As their hive grows larger and production of honey increases, there can be a fair amount of damage to the interior wall. Yellow jackets and European hornets can enter through loose siding, loose trim around a window, eaves or soffits. As their nest gets larger, producing more heat and relative humidity, the wall board becomes weaker. It is recommended to contact a pro who can relocate the hive and/or exterminate the bees from the interior.

lead to water damage to your roof and exterior of your home in addition to flooding your basement.

A quick check-up

Making functioning

Clattering or Scratching Sounds on the Roof

Get your mind in the gutter

So, the first home improvement project to tackle this fall should be cleaning your gutters and installing gutter guards to protect them from additional debris, ensuring there will be less work to do next year.

If you hear clattering and scratching sounds on your roof at night, you may have broken tiles or shingles. All shingles ultimately shatter and disintegrate over time due to strong winds, sun damage and other factors. Even just one loose shingle could produce unnerving noises, especially on a windy night.

Inspect your roof

Home Improvement

courtesy of windowsonwashington.net

Fall is the perfect time to tackle almost any home improve-

ment project: you are well-rested after your summer holiday, the weather is pleasant and, with the summer heat waves over, you

Cleaning your gutters may not be the most pleasant thing to do, but it is a necessity. Gutters divert hundreds of gallons of water away from your home. With the increased volume of leaves coming down in fall, gutters are at real risk of clogging, and this can

Loud, Rhythmic Knocking Inside Walls

6 home improvement ideas for fall

can finally get organized. More importantly, there are some home improvement projects that should be done during fall.

Read on to find the must-do list that any homeowner must check off before the winter chill sets in.

lead to water damage to your roof and exterior of your home in addition to flooding your basement.

Hissing or Running Water Sounds

Get your mind in the gutter

Make sure your home stays warm and dry during winter with a solid roof. Stay ahead of any roof trouble and inspect it thoroughly or, better yet, hire a professional to do it. Check that your roof has not sprung any leaks during the past year, and replace any shingles that are cracked, missing or curling. Regular inspections and maintenance of your roof will help prolong its life. If your roof does need major repairs or replacements, consider gathering multiple estimates from reputable contractors.

Loud knocking coming from inside your walls can certainly instill fear. Fortunately, it’s most likely just pipes expanding as hot water rushes through them. However, banging water pipes could also indicate an underlying problem that needs to be addressed, like water hammering. The best remedy is a water hammer arrester with a lubricated internal piston.

So, the first home improvement project to tackle this fall should be cleaning your gutters and installing gutter guards to protect them from additional debris, ensuring there will be less work to do next year.

Phantom water noise will also get your attention. You might hear water running, whooshing or a swirling around inside the walls even though all faucets are closed. The noise could indicate a leak that leads to bigger issues if not addressed in a timely fashion.

Cleaning your gutters may not be the most pleasant thing to do, but it is a necessity. Gutters divert hundreds of gallons of water away from your home. With the increased volume of leaves coming down in fall, gutters are at real risk of clogging, and this can

Give your windows a thorough check-up

Inspect your roof

Scratching, Rustling or Thumping in the Walls or Attic

These creepy sounds will definitely keep you up at night. Possible causes are branches rubbing on the roof, an air vent that’s wearing out and needs to be lubricated or replaced, a loose chimney cap or skylight, or pests like rats or mice.

Heat leakage from windows can have a severe impact on your energy bills during the cooler seasons. It is no wonder that savvy home owners always make it a point to check on their windows during fall, before the cold weather kicks in.

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Make sure your home stays warm and dry during winter with a solid roof. Stay ahead of any roof trouble and inspect it thoroughly or, better yet, hire a professional to do it. Check that your roof has not sprung any leaks during the past year, and replace any shingles that are cracked, missing or curling. Reg A quick check-up Making functioning Inspecting ping –your window the stripping where the Next, tilt weather stripping they are to go! Checking to make touched Prepare patio Clean thoroughly away for dirt in ceramic freeze and importantly, or dents If there

Tips to make your house Smell good all the time

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Everyone has a different definition of what smells "good." It can be a spicy scent, floral aroma, minty freshness or medicinal antiseptic smell. The following are some ways you can add scents to your home. However, routine basic cleaning is essential to reducing unpleasant smells. Adding fragrance may mask problems temporarily but won't solve the root of the malodor.

Natural Air Fresheners

Vinegar: You may not love the smell of vinegar but placing an open bowl of apple cider or distilled white vinegar in a corner will help trap cooking and cigarette smoke odors.

Deactivated charcoal: Charcoal will not add a scent to the air but it will absorb malodors.

Baking soda: Just as baking soda works to absorb odors in your refrigerator, a bowl placed in a room will also absorb odors.

Lemon water: Water absorbs odors and adding slices of fresh lemon will provide a clean citrus scent.

Coffee grounds: Fresh coffee grounds add a scent to the air but also absorb odors when placed in an open bowl.

Vanilla or peppermint extract: Saturate a few cotton balls with cooking extracts and place them

on small saucers around the room. They also work great when placed in a vacuum bag or dust cup to add a bit of scent as you clean.

Simmer Pots

Simply fill a small saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Add the ingredients you've chosen (cinnamon, clove, anise, rosemary and oranges for example) and allow them to boil for three minutes. Reduce the heat to low and let the brew simmer. Check the level of water every 30 minutes or so and add more as needed. You can also use a slow cooker to create a simmer pot.

Diffuser sticks add a layer of scent slowly as the scented solution is wicked up by the natural material rods. Additionally, there are always candles, essential oil diffusers, potpourri, dried flower and herb sachets, diffuser sticks and commercial air fresheners.

5 plants and shrubs that will add Privacy to your yard

1. Green Giant Arborvitae

Most types of arborvitae shrubs are not exceptionally fast-growing, but the Green Giant variety is an exception: it can grow as much as 5 feet per year. It is also a tall arborvitae, making it a great choice for privacy. It's best grown as a loose border rather than kept neatly sheared.

2. Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel is a good choice for privacy if your screen will be growing in the shade. Its foliage does well in partial shade, although it needs more sun to bloom to its full potential.

Fertilize it in spring with a plant food formulated for acid-loving shrubs. To avoid root rot, don't plant it too deeply (the crown shouldn't be buried).

3. Privet

Privet is almost synonymous with privacy. Depending on the type, this broadleaf shrub can be either evergreen or deciduous. It is most often planted in rows and sheared into a formal hedge.

4. Climbing Hydrangea

A lot of plants are listed as suitable for partial shade, but many of those fail to reach their full potential under such conditions (they tolerate partial shade, but they don't thrive in it). Not so with the

climbing hydrangea. One of the great virtues of this woody vine is that it performs so well in shade, giving you a great choice for privacy in such areas.

5. Dutchman's Pipe

The "pipe" in the name comes from the shape of its flowers. This deciduous vine has dense foliage, making it a good privacy plant. Avoid overhead watering, otherwise, you invite fungal diseases on this woody vine.

6 unexpected ways to Use a steam cleaner

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Every week there's a new cleaning gadget or "miracle" product being sold to us online. But sometimes, we don't need anything new, we may just need to take a look at the tools we already have in a new way. Steam cleaners, which use only water and heat to clean and disinfect, have a wide range of capabilities—and if you have one, chances are, you're probably underutilizing it.

1. Remove Wallpaper. Instead of applying a wallpaper remover solution all over the walls, you can run the steamer along the walls and the heat from the steam will loosen the wallpaper glue.

2. Remove Sticky Residue. Whether you're trying to destroy the evidence of an old sticker, label or decal, a steam cleaner can get the job done.

3. Clean Windows. Steam cleaning windows requires no chemicals or cleaning products—aside from a squeegee—and is extremely efficient at removing grime and fingerprints without leaving any streaks. (This also applies to glass doors and mirrors.)

4. Clean Toys That Can’t Be Washed. At over 212 degrees Fahrenheit, steam cleaners can effectively clean and sanitize toys that can't be thrown in the

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Steam cleaner

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wash, eliminating more germs from your home. Just be careful with any plastic toys that may melt when exposed to high heat.

5. Degrease the Range Hood. The high heat from a steam cleaner can easily break down and loosen grease—and all you'll need to do afterward is wipe it down.

6. Defrost a Freezer. Steam can quickly melt large chunks of ice so that you don't have to wait hours for the ice to melt on its own. Just make sure to have some towels or a bucket on hand so that you don't end up with a bigger mess.

Insulation

8 surprising alternatives to painting walls

Install a Corkboard Wall

All it takes is a roll of cork at push-pin thickness, some large brass escutcheon pins to mount it to the wall, and some sharp scissors or a utility knife and straightedge to make clean cuts. Once up, use cute pins to showcase your kid’s artwork!

Bare Plywood

What! Plywood?! Yes! A sheet of plywood mounted to a portion of your wall might be the standout look you’ve been searching for. Use it to create a natural and cozy ambiance, contrast it with an already

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brightly painted space, or add artwork to create a unique focal point.

Insulation pane windows only have one not as good as double insulating your home from temperatures. If you live with temperate weather, then opting to save money windows. However, if you’re noise and other external comfort of your home, you with double pane, though that even a double pane be able to completely noise and temperatures.

Let’s start with cost, since that’s definitely going to be one of the primary deciding factors when you’re choosing between single pane or double pane windows. According to HomeAdvisor, the initial purchase and installation cost of a single pane window is about $50 to $75 per window, while a double pane window runs closer to $350 to $400 per window.

Be picky when choosing your decorative plywood. Apply polyurethane to both sides and the edges to keep warpage to minimum, and screw into the studs.

A Pegboard Wall

Pegboard comes in varying sizes and shapes, from full 4 foot by 8 foot sheets to two-by-four pieces. Smaller pieces give more layout options, and they’re easy to transport if you don’t have a truck or van.

Because single pane windows only have one layer of glass, they’re not as good as double pane windows at insulating your home from outside noises and temperatures. If you live somewhere quiet with temperate weather, then you may be just fine opting to save money with single pane windows. However, if you’re concerned about noise and other external factors affecting the comfort of your home, you should probably go with double pane, though it’s important to note that even a double pane window isn’t going to be able to completely block out all outside noise and temperatures.

Energy Efficiency

Pegboard comes in metal and wood. It can be painted or left unfinished. Since what’s placed on the board can be easily altered, it’s a playful option for people who love changing things up throughout the year.

Venetian Plaster Wall

Efficiency through windows is 30 percent of a home’s usage. With that in mind, double pane windows, with insulation due to an extra pane of for a layer of insulating, good option for reducing reduction in heat gain and hundreds of dollars a year, the cost of purchasing and pane windows in the first

Venetian plaster has been around since the rise of Greece and Egypt. Rediscovered in 15th-century Venice, it became a staple during the Renaissance era. A mixture of water and limestone, Venetian plaster is applied to walls to create a soft marbled look. Though more expensive than paint, it brings a lovely ambiance and almost regal finish to any accent wall.

Chalkboard Paint

Heat gain and loss through windows is responsible for 25 to 30 percent of a home’s heating and cooling usage. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why double pane windows, with their added insulation due to an extra pane of glass and the option for a layer of insulating, non-toxic gas, are a good option for reducing energy waste. This reduction in heat gain and loss can save you hundreds of dollars a year, over time offsetting the cost of purchasing and installing the double pane windows in the first place.

Replacing Single Pane Windows with Double Pane

Single Pane Windows

Double Pane windows are pretty much newer homes, including new If you’re living in or have an older home though and been replaced recently, chance they’re single pane. and renovators have limited and need to decide if double pane windows are going

Double pane windows certainly require a larger upfront investment. That being said, they’re often recommended because of the advantages they provide—including cost savings later on related to better energy efficiency. Double pane vinyl or wood-framed windows are said to reduce energy usage by as much as 24 percent in cold climates during the winter and up to 18 percent in warm climates in the summer when compared to single pane windows. To get those savings though you’ll have to make a pretty major investment, since it will require that all of the windows in your home are double pane and not just a few of them.

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Chalkboard paint is a great addition to any room. Plus, it can be tinted to other colors, not just the standard black. A couple of things to consider when adding a chalkboard wall: Make sure to use two to three coats of paint. Wait about three days to cure, then prep the board by rubbing the entire wall with chalk, then erasing before use.

Large Sheet of Galvanized Steel for a Magnet Board

Double pane windows are pretty much standard now in newer homes, including new construction builds. If you’re living in or have recently purchased an older home though and the windows haven’t been replaced recently, there’s a good chance they’re single pane. Most homeowners and renovators have limited budgets to work with, and need to decide if single pane or double pane windows are going

If you have kids or a large display of magnets that’s outgrown your refrigerator, consider using a large sheet of galvanized steel. It can be painted any color, even chalkboard paint. It’s great for fine motor skills and creative play. Just make sure the magnets aren’t small enough for your kids to swallow.

Peel and Stick Wallpaper

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People who swore off wallpaper in the ‘90s after

stripping ancient glued-on paper from every room in their house are starting to rethink their decision. The idea that it goes on and off easily is extremely exciting, especially if you’re interested in creating a unique, eye-catching wall.

Fabric

Anyone can add a bit of texture and dimension to their home with fabric. Some opt to wrap fabric on wood panels to mount on walls or cover entire walls with thinner textile fabric or upholstery fabric, or a half wall with board and batten. To do this, use a paint roller to apply liquid starch to the wall. Place the fabric on the wall, then roll the starch onto the fabric. Once dry, use a utility knife to cut away extra fabric. The neat thing about this technique? When it’s time to remove the wallpaper, it comes off by applying a wet sponge to the fabric. This is a great way for renters to spruce up their walls as well.

dramatic hue may come as a surprise, dark house colors are known to symbolize sophistication and opportunity.

Green

Green is the most popular front door paint color across nine states, from Washington to Massachusetts. The color acts as a way to connect your home to its natural surroundings and sunlight can bring out the hue's vibrant tones.

Red

Drive down any street in your neighborhood and you're likely to spot a red front door. The beloved color is particularly a staple in many southern states.

Wood

The natural beauty of wood will never go out of style. The rustic finish is the leading choice for front doors in four states: Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota and Oregon.

Blue

Blue is the leading color choice for front doors in just two states—Connecticut and Louisiana—but it's a trend you should expect to see grow in popularity next year. Blue was selected by many major paint brands as their 2024 color of the year.

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Black

Leading the pack as the most popular paint color nationwide, black is a favorite in 17 states, including Pennsylvania, New York and Florida. While this

What temperature Should you set your Thermostat in the Spring?

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As the temperatures finally start to inch upward— and the sun spends more time in the sky—you’re probably more preoccupied with thoughts of enjoying good weather and less concerned about what temperature you should set your thermostat for spring.

Both of the HVAC pros we spoke to agreed that an indoor thermostat temperature between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during waking hours was ideal for spring. This is a comfortable temperature—not too hot and not too cold—and prevents your HVAC from overworking.

At night, you can lower the temperature. Shoot for anywhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit depending on your household preferences. Again, this keeps you comfortable— and encourages good sleep—without creating too drastic of a temperature swing from day to night and then day again.

Should You Change The Thermostat When You’re Gone?

There are differing philosophies when it comes to changing your indoor temperature—or turning off your HVAC entirely—when away from the house. Generally speaking, our experts agreed it’s best to avoid huge temperature fluctuations in short periods (less than eight hours). So, it’s better to leave your thermostat alone when you’re simply leaving for work or on an overnight trip. However, if you’re gone for several days or longer— with nobody in the home—then you can adjust the thermostat. In cold weather, consider setting it to between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent your home from reaching freezing temperatures, which can affect pipes. If it’s warmer, you can set the AC to about 5 degrees warmer than what you usually keep your temperature.

7 fast-growing vegetables to Plant in early spring

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The beginning of spring is a transition period for gardeners—it’s starting to warm up outside, but the evenings are cold and there is still the potential for frost and freezes. Despite these conditions, early spring can be a great time to begin planting many vegetables. Generally, plants that like colder temperatures, prefer a bit of moisture, have a dislike for hot summery weather and can handle the occasional frost are great candidates for the earlyspring garden.

Radish- Radishes are one of the fastest crops you can grow—it takes the vegetable about six weeks to grow from seed to harvest.

Turnips- Turnips take just three to four more weeks to harvest than radishes.

Lettuce- Leafy types grow the fastest and are ready in 45 to 60 days. Romaine takes a couple weeks longer, while heading types take a few weeks longer than that. Lettuce can be planted from either seeds or transplants (seeds require light for germination).

Spinach- Spinach is a great choice for early spring gardens because it needs colder weather so it doesn’t bolt (go to seed and become bitter). Spinach can be planted in either rows or broadcast over a bed. Sow the vegetable in early spring and harvest it any time after about six weeks.

Arugula- It can handle cold or warm temperatures, so you can plant it during early spring or later. Just loosen the soil, sprinkle seeds over the top and water.

Kale- Kale is the most cold hardy of all the vegetables and should be planted very early (or even very late in the fall to overwinter in milder climates). The cold weather enhances the sweetness of the leaves.

Peas- Peas hate heat and planting them early allows the vegetable to grow and mature during cool weather.