There’s only one circumstance where the answer is yes. (We did say “teeny-tiny!") If this poultry practice is commonplace in your home, you are not alone. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox That’s a lot of unnecessary bird baths. Here’s why you should just-about-never wash your bird, and the one-and-only circumstance when you should. Should You Wash a Raw Turkey? Otherwise it’s a no-no. “Poultry juices can spread in the kitchen and contaminate other foods, utensils, and countertops....

Turns out, youcanstill need to mow your lawn in the winter. Here’s your guide on thiswinter home maintenance taskand how to properly mow your lawn in the winter. Does Grass Still Grow In Winter? Credit:Getty Images Sometimes grass may even go dormant because of how cold the temperatures can get. This is when you notice your grass turns brown. Debris kept on top of your lawn and actually suffocate your grass....

To paint, or not to paint? That is the question. Heres what you’re gonna wanna know. Credit: Robbie Caponetto Which leads us to this timely design dilemma: Should you paint brick? The short answer: It depends. When To Paint Brick Paint is the magic eraser of the design world. So when do you know thatpaint is right for you? Design tip: Steer clear of saturated colors and always opt for more muted tones....

Things to know before diving headfirst into this kitchen DIY. We chatted with Southern decorating experts about whether or not you should paint your countertops. Meet the Experts Can You Paint Kitchen Countertops? Credit:Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Yes, but you’ll want to proceed with caution. The experts say it’s possible for you to paint your countertops but know what youre signing up for. Plus, says Hodges, Youll need to be careful with hot pans and excessive scratching....

Can you skip this step, or do you really need to peel them before you cook? Caitlin Bensel The truth is, no, you dont have to peel carrots. Carrots are a versatile ingredient in any kitchen. Credit:Caitlin Bensel Heres what to know about peeling carrots and why keeping the skin is in. Do You Have To Peel Carrots? Are All of a Carrot’s Nutrients in the Peel? Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox...

Best potato practices from our Test Kitchen expert. Emily Laurae Potatoes are the foundation of many of ourfavorite Southern dishesbut peeling them is a notoriously tedious task. “Potatoes cook more evenly with the peel on, she says. Credit:Emily Laurae Mervosh says that if youre serious about smooth,zero-lump mashed potatoes, try leaving the skins on. Boiling potatoes with the skins on yields a creamier mashed potato. If you dont like peels, remove them quickly after cooking....

And how to make it work for you. A perennial appliance question seems to be: Should you pre-rinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher? And if you do pre-rinse, are you wasting water and doing too much of the machines job? Credit:Getty Images If you dont rinse them, will the machine work hard enough to remove all the grime? Meet The Experts Should You Pre-Rinse Dishes Before Loading Them into the Dishwasher?...

Leaving food out to cool can put you in the danger zone. Is it safe to put warm food directly into the refrigerator? The short answer is: it depends. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Baker says no and so does the United States Department of Agriculture. Cover foods to retain moisture and prevent them from picking up odors from other foods. Should You Let Food Cool Before Refrigerating? Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster...

Will these plump berries last longer at room temperature? We asked the experts. Should Fresh Blueberries Be Refrigerated? Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Blueberries like it cold, according to Benson. Benson points out that cold temperatures (about 40Fahrenheit) reduce bacterial growth and preserve firmness and prevent spoilage. How Should Blueberries Be Stored In The Fridge? Should Blueberries Be Washed Before Being Refrigerated? How Long Do Blueberries Typically Last? Blueberries typicallylast 5 to 10 daysin the refrigerator, according to Benson....

Day-old cornbread is far from a lost cause; heres how you keep it safe and fresh. Whattype of panshould it be baked in? Of course, leftovers happen, and there is certainly plenty to be done withleftover cornbread. Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall How Long Does Cornbread Last? Does Cornbread Need to Be Refrigerated? That said, there are instances when you are better off transferring your cornbread to the refrigerator....

Can your pecan pie stay on the counter, or is it best to store it in the fridge? Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Tis the season forpecan pie. The question is not whether you should make pecan pie this fall but whether you should refrigerate pecan pie. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Does Pecan Pie Need To Be Kept In The Fridge? Yes, it should be refrigerated. Yes, pecan pie can be frozen, says Bui....

Heres everything you’re gonna wanna know about the dos and donts of red wine refrigeration. Jessica Salyer,the wine director atLa Bodega by Curatein Asheville, North Carolina. Should Red Wine Be Refrigerated? Red wine should always be served below room temperature, says Salyer. What Temperature Is Ideal For Red Wine? These might be considered chilled reds, a description you sometimes see on wine lists or in wine stores. Should Red Wine That’s Been Opened Be Refrigerated?...

Here’s how to store the summer squash so it lasts. This is important because excess moisture promotes spoilage. That said, we know there is only so much room in the crisper drawer. Credit:Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Torie Cox Other indicators that zucchini is on its way out include mushy flesh and brown spots. Wrinkled skin (on its own) doesnt mean you have to toss out your squash, however. Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen...