While some plants might need a more in-depth assessment, most common houseplant problems can be fairly easily diagnosed. Is the soil too moist or too dry? Use your finger to check soil moisture. Sevda Ercan / Getty Images Curling Leaves Curling houseplant leaves can bedue to overwateringor heat stress. Compacted soil that can’t absorb water effectively may also cause leaves to curl. Curling leavescan also be caused byaphids. The Spruce / Krystal Slagle...

Newer homes have 240V outlets that accept four-prong plugs. Older homes tend to have 240V outlets that only accept three-prong plugs. What’s the difference and can you convert from one to the other? The Spruce The Spruce What Is a Three-Slot Dryer Outlet? Before 1996, 240V clothes dryers had three-prong cords that plugged into three-prong 240V outlets. The ground was bonded to the neutral connection. The Spruce One wire served both functionsas the neutral current pathway and as the grounding pathway....

Like all species in the rhododendron family, azaleas are acid-loving plants. Maintaining thecorrect pH level of 4.5 to 6.0is key to the health of your shrub. Once established, azaleas don’t need muchfertilizer. Elena Popova / Getty Images You’ll see better results with organic products andsoil amendmentslike compost and mulches. The best time to fertilize azaleas is during their dormancy between late fall and early spring. Always apply fertilizer when the soil is moist and the fertilizer will be watered in by rain or irrigation....

Aerating a lawn is certainly worth the time and effort, as it helps keep your lawn healthy. What Is Lawn Aeration? Aerification helps compacted soil recover through moisture and air penetration. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Plus, it helps create a deeper, healthier root system and stimulates microbes to decompose thatch. Pest issues can also occur. To mitigate these potential problems, remove as much thatch as possible through deep raking in the fall....

Whilegrowing and caring for sedumis generally easy, this perennial needs consistent pruning to keep it healthy. Learn when to cut back sedum for winter and how to do so. Do not cut sedum back during most of the summer or winter. Ben-Schonewille / Getty Images Want more gardening tips? Spring Spring is when you cut back the sedum down to ground level. Cut all of the stalks to the same level....

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida Tomatillos produce green or purple fruits encased in a papery husk. The fruit will completely fill the husk and easily pull off the plant. As an indeterminate plant,tomatillos continue to flowerand produce fruit throughout the summer until frost. The Spruce / Letícia Almeida Because of the husk and green color, it can be confusing about when to harvest a tomatillo. 5 Signs Tomatillos Are Ripe and Ready to Pick Want more gardening tips?...

AlexRaths / Getty Images Rosemary is great for anherb gardenthanks to its fragrant and gentle nature. But like all evergreen shrubs,rosemaryneeds repeated pruning to help maintain the plant and keep it growing healthy. Hence, pruning rosemary helps the plant grow new leaves. AlexRaths / Getty Images But finding the right balance in terms of pruning is crucial. We chatted with an expert gardener to find out when, why, and how to prune rosemary....

However, cutting back branches whenever you feel like it can negatively affect your shrubs health and performance. Shrub species, bloom time, and growth habits all influence snipping schedules. Read on to learn when to prune shrubs to appreciate the best blooms, vigor, and appearance. IAN HOOTON/SPL / Getty Images February and March are often common months in which to carry out this task. However, the best months vary depending on the species and your climate....

Anetta Starowicz / Getty Images Key Takeaways Limelight hydrangeas,H. paniculata ‘Limelight’, are deciduous shrubs that grow rapidly up to 10 feet tall. Annual pruning maintains pleasing size and shape and encourages flowering. Anetta Starowicz / Getty Images Limelight is a paniculata species producing impressive cone-shaped flowers on new spring growth. The optimal time to prune this shrub is late winter or early spring before bud break. Want more gardening tips?...

Knowinghow to tape a roomand remove painter’s tape can impact the success of your paint job. Learn more about when to remove painter’s tape and why it matters. What Is Painter’s Tape? The Spruce / Margot Cavin (It’s possible to paint without tape using thecutting-in technique.) Painter’s tape has a less aggressive adhesive typically found on masking or duct tape. Aggressive adhesive can peel away dried paint during removal. The Spruce / Margot Cavin...

The lubricating chemicals in fabric softeners coat fabrics to make them feel softer. Static electricity that forms in an automatic dryer from too many loose electrons gives clothing atoms a negative charge. Fabric softeners contain cationic, or positively charged ions, and equalize the electrons and ions to prevent static. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Fabric softeners can be liquid, sheets to use in the dryer, or reusable dryer balls. Warning Do not use liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets on the following fabrics....

Underlayment is a thinner material that lies over the subfloor. Plywood is only one throw in of underlayment. There are also engineered subfloor panels designed for covering concrete slabs in basements. JaniceHazeldine / Getty Images Plywood underlayment may not be a good choice for ceramic or stone tile because it is not water-resistant. For floor tile in any room, use cement board or a similar tile backer instead. To simplify your decision, consider plywood underlayment if it is recommended by the flooring manufacturer....

Jasenka Arbanas / Getty Images The first appearance of peonies feels like a sign that summer is nearly here. More southern states are lucky to spot peony blossoms even earlier. While theseflowers are belovedfor theirdelicate appearance, the blooms themselves dont always last the longest. Jasenka Arbanas / Getty Images Luckily, there are a few ways you might extend your peony season to maximize enjoyment. Read more about the growing season for peonies and how to care for them in your yard or garden....