How to Know When to Pick Your Carrots for the Best Harvest

Carrots are aneasy-to-grow vegetablein the garden that can be harvested about 60 to 80 days after theseeds are planted. A great hint that it’s ready to pick? The top “shoulder” of the carrot will be visible through the soil. Inti St Clair / Getty Images When Should You Harvest Carrots? These immature carrots and their green tops can be washed and added to salads. Larger cultivars can be harvested at around 50 days or when finger-sized if you enjoy tender, sweet carrots....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 281 words · Julie Chen

How to Lay a Flagstone Patio

This natural material is apatio ideafits with many styles, from traditional to modern. Best of all, it’s easy to install because it uses dry-set rather than mortared installation techniques. What is Dry Set Installation? Mark Turner / Getty Images Dry-set installation sets the flagstone instone dustor sand instead of wet mortar or concrete. Decomposed granite is pulverized stone that contains small pieces and gravel-size and sand-size particles. The irregular edges make it more challenging to fit the stones tightly together....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 511 words · Eugene Carter MD

How to Lay Out a Companion Planting Garden for Your Best Harvest Yet

Before youplan your garden, take a look at these tips and plans for a companion garden layout. By pairing certain crops together in your garden, you could guarantee a larger harvest than ever before. What Is Companion Planting? Hernandez & Sorokina/ Stocksy Vegetablesrequire full sunto produce healthy fruit and good drainage. Consider the key in of soil you have in your location. If it is poor, consider raised beds or containers....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 182 words · Carolyn Miller

How to Lay Out Your Office for Good Feng Shui and Productivity, Straight From a Pro

Feng shui is the traditional Chinese practice of arranging furniture and accessories in a way thatharmonizes with nature. Here, we unpack 14 feng shui office layout tips. Meet the Expert Marina V. Umaliis a certified interior designer and feng shui practitioner. Marie Flanigan Interiors She is the founder ofMarina V. Design Studiobased in New Jersey. Ideally, you should put it in the command position. The command position involves placing your desk and chair in front of a solid wall....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 394 words · Gabriel Odonnell

How to Lay Sod to Start a New Lawn

This gives the new grass plenty of time to extend new roots and bond with the underlying soil. Early spring can also be an acceptable time for laying cool-season grasses. Above all, avoid the blistering hot days of summer for laying sod. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Sod availability may also play a role in your decision on when to lay sod. Before Getting Started Before starting any work at all, it’s important to evaluate your soil....

May 4, 2025 · 4 min · 682 words · Sara Jackson

How to Lay Tile on a Plywood Subfloor

The Spruce / Kevin Norris Plywood is a standard subfloor for floor coverings likelaminateorluxury vinyl tile. But can you use plywood below ceramic or porcelain tile? The best direct underlayment for tile on plywood is cement board or an uncoupling membrane. The Spruce / Kevin Norris The solution is to add an intervening layer that uncouples the tile from its base. Uncoupling tile membranes prevent moisture migration. Membranes are lightweight and easy to work with but expensive....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 542 words · Nathan Ward

How to Level a Floor

But older homes frequently have subfloors that are out-of-level creating sloping floors. Even some newer homes already have uneven subfloors. How can you correct an uneven subfloor before installing flooring so you have a level floor? The Spruce / Jacob Fox The subfloor is a structural component, essential for the strength and durability of the home’s flooring platform. This subfloor layer must be stable, solid, flat, and level. For example, ceramic tile installed over a bad subfloor can result in cracking grout or broken tiles....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 522 words · Zachary Douglas

How to Level a Garage Floor

An unevenconcretegarage floor or one with depressions can be a concern, especially if it’s an attached garage. Or certain areas of the garage floor may dip or bow ordisplay cracks. Identify the low areas with light pencil marks. Getty images Few concrete slabs are completely flat. Dips and depressions less than 1/4-inch deep are usually not troublesome enough to warrant repair. Also, grind down any areas with stubborn stains. Use the shop vac to remove all traces of grinding dust....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 222 words · Rodney Hall

How to Level a Washing Machine

In most cases, leveling a washing machine takes only a few minutes. If safe, initiate the spin cycle to drain the drum. Otherwise, bail out water by hand with a kitchen measuring cup. The Spruce / Sanja Kostic Level a washing machine immediately. Ask for “bubble level” on Google Assistant. Apple phones also have a pre-installed level app. The Spruce / Sanja Kostic Open Measure, then tap Level. Safety Considerations Fully disconnect the washing machine before working on it....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 362 words · Angela Cabrera

How to Level a Yard Quickly and Affordably

Keep reading to learn how to level your backyard with easy methods including sand, topsoil, and compost. It can help to improve drainage and aid in the overall health and appearance of turf. Cool-season lawns are best leveled in late summer and early autumn. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Leveling when the ground is dry is not as physically taxing and is less messy. Sand lightens heavy soils and topsoil or a topsoil and compost combination supplies nutrients....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 179 words · Donna Richardson

How to Light the Standing Pilot Light on a Gas Furnace

Understanding the furnace pilot is a crucial part oftroubleshooting your gas furnace. The other end is connected to the pilot valve body. As the thermocouple heats up, it produces a small amount of electricity. Comstock/ Getty Images If possible, find the instructions adhered inside the furnace door cover or in the furnace’s instruction manual. ensure the thermostat is set to the “heat” mode. Get your match or lighter ready. BanksPhotos / Getty Images...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 232 words · Angela Russell

How to Light Your Bathroom Like a Pro So You Never Have to Get Ready in Bad Lighting Again

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto Bathroom lighting should be layered to make it both functional and aesthetically appealing. Check out these stylish bathroom lighting ideas for inspiration. Double sconce lights add plenty of light as well as visual interest in this black and white space. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto Should bathroom lights shine up or down? Choose upward shining bathroom lights to create ambiance. Use downward shining lights to provide task lighting for applying cosmetics or shaving....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 591 words · Travis Price

How to Light Your Bedroom for the Ultimate Cozy Atmosphere: 27 Ideas We Love

Design byKate Marker Interiors/ Photo byMargaret Rajic Lighting your bedroom is a crucial step for creating a relaxing space. Layering general ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent light will create a balanced feel. Check out these bedroom lighting ideas in a range of styles for inspiration. Design byKate Marker Interiors/ Photo byMargaret Rajic Choose sculptural black lamps to add a graphic punch that will anchor the bed in a lightneutral bedroom....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 584 words · Christine Gutierrez