When it comes to growing plants, indoors or outdoors, few aspects are as important as the choice of growing media. Unless your garden relies fully on hydroponics, you will probably have to choose between potting soil and garden soil at some point. So, what is the difference between these two soil types, and which one…
Most hydroponics gardeners have probably been there; your garden is all set up, and all that remains is to plant your first seeds. There are numerous upsides to planting your own seeds as opposed to purchasing seedlings from retailers. By starting your seedlings, you have better control over the nutrients, light, water, and air that…
Farming practices in the modern-day world are considerably different from those of decades ago. With the changes in climate, farming spaces, and tech advancements, fields such as aquaponics have continued to gain popularity. Basically, aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. The former deals with the rearing of fish and other aquatic creatures, while…
When it comes to indoor gardening, some people have better luck than others. Your experience might be greatly affected by the plants you choose, your skills and knowledge, your hardiness zone, and numerous other factors. Luckily, the succulent family of plants is among the best and easiest to grow for virtually anyone. This ease of…
If you have some gardening experience, you have probably come across seed package labels with gardening zones indicated. What exactly do these zones mean, and which plants thrive in each zone? The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone interactive map was created to give gardeners an idea of the general climate conditions prevalent in their areas and,…
Inspired by an article in an old issue of This Old House, this weekend we decided to use a French Cleat to hang our new flat screen TV on the basement wall. It seems really simple. It wasn’t. First, one half of the 2Ă—6 we were using cracked when Scott ripped it. Then Scott couldn’t…
You all know how I try to use the “friendliest” materials when I’m working around the house, right? Oil-based stains and conventional finishes give me headaches and I know they’re not good for the environment. But, as much as it hurts to say this, it seems that most “friendly” finishes have a ways to go…
Do you have a baseboard return air grille that looks like this? Not especially attractive, right? I’m pretty sure ours was original to the house and I see it every time I walk in and out through the garage. When we started re-painting the inside of the house a few weeks ago, I took the…
If you google “isopropyl alcohol-based wood stain,” it’s entirely possible you won’t find anything that resembles what you’re looking for. There’s probably a tutorial out there somewhere, but I haven’t found it yet. And although the bottle of concentrated tint that I use for staining with alcohol says, “May be mixed with water or alcohol…
How to what? Oxidize? What does that mean? Oxidized wood is just wood that has weathered or been made to look weathered. Weathered wood has a patina that commercial stain and other finishing applications can’t match. But since it doesn’t make sense to build a piece of furniture and then leave it out in the…