Creating an Inexpensive Home Library

Nor does your library need to have expensive shelving and furniture. Here are some things to consider when planning an affordable home library. Dedicated bibliophiles have even been known to convert a walk-in closet to function as a home library. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto Your dream library may include walls lined with built-in bookcases with glass doors. Repurposing found itemsto use as bookcases is another option. Andif you are a DIYerwith modestly good skills,built-in shelvescan be more affordable than you think....

May 4, 2025 · 4 min · 731 words · Kimberly Turner

Creating Your Own Pollinator Garden Is Easier Than You Think—Here's How

Increasing habitat destruction and widespread pesticide use are resulting in dramatically dwindlingpollinatorpopulations. Find a Location You dont need a lot of space to create a pollinator garden. Even pots on patios can pull in the pollinators. MelodyanneM / Getty Images They also appreciate a sheltered site. Too much wind can make flying and landing on those nectar-filled blooms a challenge. Want more gardening tips? Jenny Dettrick / Getty Images Create a mixed mini-meadow that flowers successively from early spring to fall....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 355 words · Chad Chavez MD

Creeping Plants: Types and Uses

They are also referred to as procumbent plants. Some plants with “creeper” in their name are vigorous climbers, includingVirginia creeperand Canary creeper. Examples of Creeping Plants Many highly prized creeping plants areflowering ground covers. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova But some ground covers are grown for their leaves as much as for their blossoms. What gardeners adore about Angelina are its golden-chartreuse leaves. Similarly,spotted dead nettle(Lamium maculatum) is valued almost equally for its flowers and itsvariegated leaves....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 196 words · Russell Miller

Crocodile Ferns Are the Easy Houseplant You Should Start Growing in Fall

The crisscrossed veins on their vivid green foliage resemble the scaly skin of a crocodile. Though they’re native to the jungles of Malaysia, crocodile ferns are popular indoor plants in temperate climates. Crocodile ferns prefer warm temperatures, high humidity, and bright, indirect light. Karin de Mamiel / Getty Images Here’s how to help this plant thrive in your home. Crocodile Fern Care Here are the main care requirements for crocodile fern:...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 223 words · Justin Short

Cultivator vs. Tiller: Which Do You Need?

Andrei310 / Getty Images Gardening is enjoyable, but it can also be a lot of work. Having the right tool for the job can make gardening work much more efficient, and help prevent over-exertion. Tillers and cultivators are useful tools for prepping the garden for planting. Andrei310 / Getty Images These tools, while similar, have different features and functions which make them suitable for specific purposes. What Is a Tiller? A tiller is a motorized garden toolwith blades designed to loosen soil to help make planting easier....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 286 words · Anthony White

Cut Down on Kitchen Clutter With the 7 Best Kitchen Cabinet Organizers

Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations. If you punch links we provide, we may receive compensation. Theres a certain rush I get when I take out my favorite8-inch ceramic bakerfrom Great Jones, for instance. The Spruce it’s possible for you to instantly create tiers and double your shelving space with these attractive bamboo risers. Its a smart idea to take advantage of your cabinets unused vertical space. you could organize dishware, baking equipment, pantry items, or even cleaning supplies....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 525 words · Andrew Young

Cyclamen: Plant Care & Growing Guide

Flowers come in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. The Spruce / Kara Riley The heart-shaped leaves are medium green, often with silver marbling. Cyclamen istoxic to animalsand people. The Spruce / Kara Riley hederifolium,that are more often used when growingcyclamen in the landscape. Cyclamen persicum,the florist’s cyclamen, is usually grown in pots indoors. Exactly when cyclamen goes fully dormant depends on its growing conditions. The Spruce / Kara Riley...

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 454 words · Rachel Peters

Dark Room? These 5 Genius Tips Will Help You Fake Natural Light Anywhere, Designers Share

It isnt as great when your space is constantly lacking the right amount ofnatural lightduring the day. This means setting up a furniture layout with heavy items placed away from any windows. It also means usingwindow coveringsthat allow for flexibility throughout the day. House 9 Interiors To balance natural light and lofty drafts, use a light-colored sheer as your base layer. Pair with a heavier curtain, in a neutral color, to provide an uplifting warmth....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 178 words · Stephanie Byrd

Daylily vs. Lily: How to Tell the Difference

One manstrout lilyis another man’sdogtooth violet. What Is a True Lily? A true lily is part of theLiliumgenus and grows from a bulb. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova For example, you may wonder if a daylily is a true lily. Daylilies can grow up to 4 feet tall. Daylilies also grow from thick,tuberous rootsthat are easily divided. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Daylilies are popular with hybridizing breeders, and there are over 30,000 named varieties....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 337 words · Kimberly Guerrero

Deadly Nightshade (Belladonna): Toxicity, Appearance, and Removal

Belladonna is a medium-sized shrub with dark green leaves, distinct purple bell-shaped flowers, and shiny black berries. It grows natively in Eurasia and has naturalized all over the world. Bees produce honey from belladonna flower nectar, which is toxic for humans to consume. The sweet, purplish-black berries attract children and are the greatest risk. For example, the honeybees that make honey with belladonna nectar that is toxic for human consumption....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 282 words · William Davis

Dealing With Leaf Scorching and Tip Burn

The only thing to do is correct the underlying problem and hope the plant continues its healthy growth. The other problem with a leaf-tip burn is figuring out which of the possible factors may be causing it. Ideally, you’ll catch leaf-tip burn early enough that the plant’s appearance won’t be completely ruined. The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong A wintertime home can easily go to 20 percent humidity, which can cause leaf scorching....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 173 words · James Huang

Dealing With Tangled Cords? How to Organize Them Before You Get Frustrated

6 Ways to Organize Cords Wrap and Label Cords Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Keep cables tidy in a drawer by bundling them into groups. Secure the cord bundles using cord wraps or zip-ties and add labels if necessary. The Spruce / Jacob Fox Label cords if needed to avoid confusion. The Spruce / Jacob Fox The Spruce / Jacob Fox The Spruce / Jacob Fox The Spruce / Jacob Fox...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 77 words · Norman Martin

Deciduous Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: 26 Examples

These include trees like oaks, maples, and walnuts. The word “deciduous” comes from the Latin word " decidere, which means “to fall.” Read on to find out characteristics and examples of deciduous trees. The Spruce / Autumn Wood What Is a Deciduous Tree? A deciduous tree loses its broad, flat leaves at the end of the growing season. Why Do Deciduous Trees Lose Their Leaves? Mimi Ditchie Photography/Getty Images Deciduous trees shed their leaves in fall to get ready for winter....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 332 words · Vicki Bradley