Single-Stage Snow Blower vs Two-Stage

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol Snow blowersare a smart choice forremoving snowfrompathways, front walks, anddriveways. Find out about your single-stage snow blower vs. two-stage options. Single-Stage Snow Blower vs Two-Stage Snow blowersare either single-stage snow blowers or two-stage. The Spruce / Michela Buttignol Single-stage snow blowers pick up and throw the snow using one part: the auger. Two-stage snow blowers pick up snow with the auger, but they add an impeller to throw the snow....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 239 words · Lisa Murray

Six Great Containers for Growing Vegetables

Thechoice of containercan have a big impact on how productive your plants are and if they will survive. These large, self-watering boxes are extremely water-efficient, fertilizer-efficient, and easy to use. The manufacturer’s claim is that the Earthbox can provide double the harvest compared to growing vegetables conventionally. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Earthboxes are somewhat pricey to buy, but they are very durable and are worth the cost. Other types of grow boxes are available from other manufacturers....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 302 words · Katherine Evans

Six of the Most Expensive Houseplants—And Why

Most houseplants, however, cost around a humble two figures. But what makes a houseplant cost so much? The desire to own rare and attractive species is also, consequently, rising. The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong The millennial generation is not the first to start such a movement. In the early 1600s, the “it” plant of the time was thetulip. “Tulip Mania” caused the price of tulips to explode, selling for up to 5,700 guilders....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 303 words · Derrick Bailey

Skip This Step When Loading Your Dishwasher for Cleaner Dishes, Appliance Pros Say

That way, theyre sure to come out clean, right? Pros think you shouldn’t have to clean dishes before loading them for a full dishwasher cycle. So, here’s what experts say about washing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. The Spruce / Ivy Ford Meet the Expert Should You Wash Dishes Before Putting Them in The Dishwasher? The short answer is no. If the machine works properly, you shouldn’t worry about pre-washing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 223 words · Jeffrey Sparks

Sky Plant Is the Perfect Low-Maintenance Houseplant for Fall—How to Grow It

A member of thebromeliad family, sky plant blooms once in its lifetime with a small purple inflorescence. This plant can be kept outdoors in warm climates year-round or kept indoors as an attractive, low-maintenance houseplant. Tillandsia Ionantha Care Here’s how to care for tillandsia ionatha: Want more gardening tips? undefined undefined / Getty Images Light Air plantslike tillandsia ionatha require bright, indirect light or dappled sunlight. Direct sunlight is too strong and can burn their foliage....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 423 words · Nicole Martinez

Slab Cabinet Door Basics and Pros and Cons

Slab cabinet doors often mean that the cabinets are basic, utilitarian, and inexpensive cabinets. This raised panel design, such as is found in Shaker-style cabinets, gives the cabinets a traditional look. Flat-panel doors, otherwise known as slabcabinet doors, lend a modern look to any kitchen or bathroom. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto The front of the door is completely flat, with no bevels. The edges are 90-degree corners. There is no ornamentation, other than the cabinet pulls....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 223 words · Jaclyn Carter

Slate Flooring Review: Pros and Cons

Is Slate Flooring Right for You? Like any natural stone flooring, slate will addreal estate valueto your home. It is generally a very good flooring material for heavy-traffic areas. Zero Creatives/Getty Images There is a certain amount of maintenance that is required to keep a slate tile floor looking attractive. The grout lines on slate tile are also vulnerable. Regular sealing can help to some extent. Design There are innumerable solid colors and color combinations available when choosing slate floor tiles....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 401 words · Mario Smith

Slate Roof Review: Pros, Cons, and Costs

Extremely durable and possessing natural beauty, a slate roof has long represented the highest standard ofroofing materials. Slate is nearly permanent. When a slate roof is well maintained, it can last up to a century or two. Iain Sarjeant/E+/Getty Images Synthetic slate roofing should be considered along with natural slate. Synthetic slate offers a similar look yet it has cost and installation benefits not found in natural slate. Slate roof shingles are made from natural stone quarried directly from the earth....

May 4, 2025 · 4 min · 832 words · Chris Sanchez

Sleep Week: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your Best Sleep Ever

So many of us are in search of a better sleep. March is National Sleep Awareness Month, so it couldn’t be a better time to talk about sleep. And while mattresses are a big investment, a great one will last you years to come. Image Treatment by The Spruce /ArchiViz/ Getty Images Your sheets should be soft, comfortable, and keep your temperature regulated. And if you’ve ever struggled with a duvet cover before, we’ve got you covered....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 144 words · Jill West

Slide-In vs. Drop-In Cooking Range Comparison Guide

The base of the cabinet that houses a drop-in range can’t always be turned into a storage compartment. A drop-in cooktop doesn’t have an oven. The contoured sides and cooktop keep food from falling in any spaces between the range and cabinetry. The Spruce / Michela Buttignol Appearance Slide-in models usually have a built-in bottom drawer below the oven chamber for storing cookware. Slide-in ranges offer a more customized look with cabinetry when compared to freestanding ranges....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 282 words · Melanie Mitchell

Slit-Seeding Is the Secret to a Better Spring Lawn (But Don't Wait Too Long to Try It)

schulzie / Getty Images Grass lawns occasionallymust be overseededto strengthen root systems and crowd out weeds. Slit-seeding is an effectivemethod of aeratingand overseeding a lawn. But it isn’t for every lawn and can damage some lawns. schulzie / Getty Images Read on to hear what lawn and turf experts say about the benefitsand potential dangersof slit-seeding a lawn. Meet the Expert What Is Slit-Seeding? A slit-seeding machine is about the size of a large lawn mower....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 267 words · Kevin Ryan

Small Holes and Cracks in Your Wall? How to Spackle Any Wall in a Few Easy Steps

Spackle is a lightweight, sandable material made specifically for patching small holes or cracks in walls and ceilings. Which Product to Use Usespackle or drywall joint compoundto spackle a wall. Products with other namespatches, putties, caulks, and fillersmay not be correctly formulated for spackling a wall. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Spackle shrinks less and dries faster than joint compound. Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Scrape or sand away loose paint or drywall material....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 354 words · Jennifer Dunn

Small Space Vegetable Gardening Tips

Outdoor and indoor strategies for the gardener short on space. Small sunny spots in your yard, patio, or balcony can all be successful locations. Choosing the right location and ideal varieties of your favorite plants will help you maximize your harvest. The Spruce / K. Dave Along with providing the proper growing conditions, it’s also helpful to consider using a fence. When you’re deciding where to place your garden beds or containers, consider several basic components....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 202 words · Natalie Ford