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Enjoy a beautiful tree all season long with these pre-picking tips. arlutz73/Getty Images There are few things better thandecorating your Christmas treeonce the holiday season comes back around. But first, you must decide if you’re going with a live tree orartificial one. Credit:arlutz73/Getty Images These sources can dry up your tree while also increasing it’s flammable risk. Ideally, you should have six to twelve inches of space remaining. Fragrance can also help determine how healthy a tree is....

Five tips for selecting and storing gourds. One thing we absolutely love to cook with in the fall is fresh pumpkin. Pumpkin is also perfect for delicious, savory dishes:Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash GratinandPeanut-Pumpkin Stew with Hominy. Credit: AlpamayoPhoto / Getty Images If you’ve never used fresh pumpkins before, you might be confused about where to start. Here are five easy steps to follow to pick out the best pumpkins and ensure they stay fresh....

About This Episode A reader seeks advice for planting trees in their yard. Plus, the Grumpy Gardener shares a simple planting tip. We want to have nice fall color and to be able to grow grass under them. Which should we choose, Chinese pistache- or thornless honey locust? Grumpy’s Answer:Oh, okay, well, both these trees have their good points. They tolerate heat and drought. They aren’t fussy about soil. Chinese pistache turns bright orange and red, and the thornless honey locust turns bright yellow....

Cherries, a part of thestone fruit family,are packed full of nutrients. There are two main categories of cherries: tart (Prunus cerasusL.) and sweet (Prunus aviumL. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox ), as well as a variety of colors, including red, purple, black, and yellow. They are great for everyday snacking and an excellent choice for baked goods and other culinary delights. But for nearly all other cherry uses, pitting is practically non-negotiable....

It doesn’t have to be awkwardheed these etiquette tips. Here’s how to handle breaking up with your hair stylist, the polite Southern way. What Causes A Breakup With A Stylist? Credit:Getty Images/PeopleImages Most often, your stylist will be happy to fix any issue without any awkwardness. While it might seem awkward, it can help both parties feel better overall about the situation afterwards. Wish them well, and thank them for their services to date....

This quick-cooking appliance might need a warm-up. An air fryer has a lot of features that are not dissimilar to an oven. And that means sometimes foods you cook in your air fryer will benefit from preheating. Credit: Getty/CASEZY There are also times you don’t need to bother with preheating. Here’s what to know about how and when to preheat your air fryer. It’ll cook your food even faster. Most air fryers preheat to 400 F in three to five minutes....

Stretch the lifespan of your seasonal porch display. When the fall rolls around, we love adorning our porch with the bounty of the season. Be sure to clean out your pumpkin thoroughly when you carve it. Credit:Getty Images To help keep your pumpkin fresh, a quick soak in a bleach solution will do the trick. But there’s still a way to preserve it for even longer. Now head to the pumpkin patch and pick out that perfect gourd to accent your front porch....

AsiaVision / Getty Images Dust is an inevitableweekly cleaning choreno matter where you live in the country. But, what if there were ways you couldprevent theamountof dustthat forms? The good news is that there is! Credit:AsiaVision / Getty Images So in other words, give your shoes a good swipe before stepping inside. Do not bathe your pet more than once a month as excessive washing can dry out their coat....

About This Episode A reader learns why their tomatoes are turning black on the bottom. Grumpys tip about reusing potting soil for growing vegetables. Question Of The Week “Why are my tomatoes black on the bottom?” And like I said, it happens because the soil is just too acidic. And so the fruit rots. And sometimes they can overwinter in the soil of the pot that’s just sitting there all winter....

Plus, how often you should be cleaning them. If this is your experience, too, know that youre not alone. Its pretty easy for most folks to forget about the baseboards when youre sweeping ormopping the floor. Credit:Getty Images Thankfully, you dont have to deep clean baseboards often, if you actually clean them properly. Then, fill a bucket with warm water and dish soap, she explains. Dip a clean microfiber cloth in the water, wring it out, and wipe down the baseboards....

Plus, we love how easy laminate countertops are to clean. That being said, they still need to be cared for like most countertops should. “But you dont need to do all these steps for a daily cleaning. Credit:Getty Images Try just some water and soap or even a damp rag alone, and dry it afterwards.” For weekly cleaning, use the vinegar mixture to remove build-up. It can break down the protective coating on laminate and cause discoloration....

Painted cabinets are stylish but might also be too good at hiding grime. Aftercleaning all the stovetops, dishes, countertops, and pans, you should focus on the kitchen cabinets. These often neglected surfaces harbor more dirt than you realize. Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Adam Fortner As stylish as your navy-blue cabinets might be, they are also good at hiding spills. I’m willing to bet yours could use a scrub too....

Keep your coffee maker clean so you can brew the tastiest cup. To keep your coffee maker running smoothly (and your mornings enjoyable), you oughta keep it clean. Here are simple steps for how to clean your coffee maker and keep it in tip-top condition. Credit: Tetra Images/Getty Images Avoid using dish soap, and instead deep-clean the interior to remove buildup with white vinegar. Yes, baking soda is a great cleaning agent for removing stains....