Here are some things you could do to get your lawn greener and lusherduring the springand summer months. A thick layer (3/4 inch or more) calls for acore aeratoror a vertical mower. Both can be rented from your local rental center, and are very user-friendly. Claire Takacs / Getty Images Want more gardening tips? Give Adequate Water In dry climates,an irrigation systemis necessary for growing grass successfully. Whichever method you choose, your grass must have enough water consistently toremain green and healthy....

There are many types of basil with more appearing every year. Try curly basil,dark opal basil, and the traditional Genovese. Add basil to bouquets, teas, soups, and almost any fish dish. The Spruce / Lacey Johnson It alsodries and freezes wellso you use the herb all winter. For instance, classic basil pesto freezes well in small jars or ice cube trays. Here are some tips to help you grow beautiful, bushy basil indoors or out....

The Spruce / Daria Groza Are you the proud owner of aceramic or glass cooktop? Without regular maintenance and care, you could end up with a cooktop caked with built-up food and stains. Luckily, there are lots of ways to keep your stove looking shiny and new. The Spruce / Daria Groza While there’s no guarantee that these tips will protect your cooktop, they do help considerably. Read on for some tips, tricks, and hacks for maintaining your ceramic or glass cooktop....

You want to avoid the conditions that invite pests into your garden in the first place. These five tips will help keep your plants healthy and problem-free. Your garden must regularly get air circulation from a good breeze. The Spruce / Paige McLaughlin Tightly packed plants invite feeding insects that enjoy shelter from the heat and cover from predators. They will raise their families in there and eat their way out....

Going on A Vacation? How will your plants survive the summer heat without your daily attention? But don’t let the fear of coming home to withered plants stop you from enjoying a well-deserved break. Elena Zaretskaya / Getty Images With some planning, you canensure your plants remain hydrated and healthy. Try these simple tips to keep yourindoorand outdoor plantsalive and watered. A thinner layer of organic material like moss or shredded leaves can provide similar benefits for indoor plants....

Jessica Nelson Design Small square footage isnotoriously trickyto deal with. And in the living room particularly, the challenge can feel amplified. Add to the equation that its a rental apartment, and there are even more factors to consider. Jessica Nelson Design You might not be able to use vertical space in traditional ways, thanks to landlord rules. And you certainly cant knock down walls. However, there are tried and true ways to make one workwhich have been vetted by experts....

But preparing your home, yard, and garden can start to feel dauntingthats where Home Depot comes in. We got a chance to consult their experts on their top tips to prepare your home for spring. These expert tips will have your home shining and your garden blooming in no time. Perry Mastrovito / Getty Images Grab yourfavorite floor cleanerto make hardwood and laminate floors look shiny and new in no time....

To learn more tips for settling into a new space,check out our full guide here. Below, three designers share their top five tips foridentifying your design style. Want more design inspiration? Graham-Smith Designs/ Photo byAbby Cox Michael Graham-Smith, the founder of Graham-Smith Designs, agrees. Collier suggests walking away for a few days and coming back to see if there are any recurring themes. “attempt to weave those themes into your design style,” Collier says....

River birches, for instance, can handle wet areas, but their root systems are relatively shallow. Weeping beeches also have less aggressive roots and their trailing branches have all the charm of weeping willows. Want more gardening tips? Allkindza / Getty Images Bradford Pear Bradford pears flower in spring and theyre commonly planted in gardens and along neighborhood streets. But these trees arent recommended by tree pros for proximity to buildings....

Over the years, weve noticed many differenthouseplants having their moments. This makes the snake plant an eternal favorite, and one she sees dominating in the year ahead. People want to connect with nature and bring a tranquil vibe to their homes, says Janney. Firn / Getty Images At the same time, people also want plants that make a statement. Also called Sansevieria, the snake plant certainly ticks both boxes. Want more gardening tips?...

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida Cleaning sponges are not “one size fits all.” Review these five main types of cleaning sponges to determine the right one for your next task. Cellulose Sponges Cellulose sponges are some of the most common, low-cost sponges on the market. The Spruce / Leticia Almeida Cellulose sponges are inexpensive, provide good absorbency, and last through tough chores. These sponges are great for use on outdoor grills and some patio furniture....

It makes sense to insulate your garage, especially if you’re planning to heat the space. Sometypes of insulationare better than others for a garage, depending on whether the space is finished or not. If you’re not adding heat, there’s little point in insulating. The Spruce / Mira Norian It’s a popular misconception that insulation adds warmth. The walls that are shared with the house, however, should always be insulated to their maximum value....

Adding a ceiling light is the best way to satisfy this requirement. It is wide and diffuse and it is not meant to focus on any particular area. Ceiling fixtures shine light in all directions, including up toward the ceiling. Perry Mastrovito / Getty Images They increase safety because they illuminate the room as a whole to help you access other lighting fixtures. Ceiling lights do not illuminate counter spaces very well....