Any home cook knows that adding garlic to any meal works wonders for amplifying flavor. Be sure to strain the garlic water after its been sitting for a few days. This will ensure the ultra-powerful garlic doesnt over-fertilize your plants. Credit:wmaster890 / Getty Images Strained garlic water will also keep longer, in case youre not planning on using it right away. If you don’t have that much garlic, just let the mixture sit a little bit longer....

Create a low-maintenance, hosta-filled shade garden thats full of texture from spring to fall. More than just plain green filler among flashier plants, hostas can enhance a shady spot all by themselves. Some typeseven have very fragrant flowers. Credit: Matthew Benson Frequently Asked Questions Shade gardens are gardens situated in areas that receive little or no direct sunlight. These gardens feature plants that don’t require direct sunlight to thrive. Hostas attract pollinators, like butterflies, bumblebees, and the occasional hummingbird with their flowers....

And if you do see some, it probably won’t become an invasion of epic proportions. Doug Hundleyis a spokesperson for the National Christmas Tree Association. Are There Bugs in Your Christmas Tree? Credit:Kim Cornelison According to its spokesman, Doug Hundley, the short answer is not at all. But what about those news stories about the chance of thousands of bugs hiding in a single tree? And definitely pull on some gardening gloves first to avoid sap and scrapes....

Keep your kitchen and bathroom sinks pristine and bacteria-free with this expert-recommended cleaning routine. Caren Alpert Sinks are exposed to many different substances and materials each day. But how often should you clean the sink to avoid this? Credit:Caren Alpert How Often Should You Clean Your Sink? There are several factors to keep in mind to determine the correct frequency of cleaning for your sink. This suggestion might differ between kitchen andbathroom sinks, depending on how you use them....

Use every part of your Thanksgiving turkey! Many recipes call for using thegiblets in stuffing, but our Test Kitchen prefers to makehomemade turkey stock. you could use the flavorful liquid to make gravy, stuffing, andhomemade turkey soup. Credit:Jake Sternquist Add bay leaf, thyme and peppercorns. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl and let cool. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice....

Keep the show going all season by giving these reblooming shrubs the exact nutrients they need. Popular bigleaf hydrangeas got a major upgrade in 2004 with the development of Endless Summer, the first rebloominghydrangeavariety. Best Fertilizer for Endless Summer Hydrangea Feeding your reblooming hydrangea begins with finding the right product. Credit: Kritsada Panichgul Phosphorus is the middle number in theN-P-K nutrient label. As always, follow the package directions so that you use the correct amount....

General listing guidelines exist, but they vary depending on where you reside. But the second half of March is also ideal for warmer climates like San Diego and Austin. Homes not listed here sell for around 1.5% less. Credit:Miranda Estes Also, sellers should come up with a list of features to show off. For example, if you have anoutdoor TV, flaunt it. For the listing itself, see to it you give your home the virtual tour treatment....

The new stain comes with 45 coordinating paint colors. This collection boats 45 exterior paint colorsand youre encouraged to use Cedar with all of them. Heres how these releases can help transform your outdoor space. Credit:Courtesy of BEHR Its a must-do maintenance project that dramatically cleans up the outside before gardens and landscaping take over. And according to BEHR, Cedar is ideal for this. Learn more about Cedar atbehr.comand shop it and thenew paint collectionexclusively at The Home Depot online or in stores....

Say it with us: Fresh paint fills pockets. Peter Molick Selling your home can feel like quite the burdenit’s infamouslyone of life’s biggest stressors. Or better yet, thebestprice. Credit:Peter Molick Why Painting Your Home Is the No. I always recommenddeclutteringand painting as a must-do." An unpainted house looks like an unkempt house, and an unkempt house is an unwanted house.

This dessert is too good to be forgotten. We put the vintage dessert recipe to the test, and wholeheartedly agreethe cookies are fantastic. Here’s how to make our classic cookie, including tips for modernizing the recipe just a bit. Credit:Gabe Greco Don’t miss a single recipe! secure your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes in one place using MyRecipes. Simply go for the save icon (with a heart!) at the top of this recipe page....

If you like coleslaw, you’ll love this creamy cucumber salad recipe. This salad combines everything you love aboutpickleswith a delicious dressing made with sour cream (or yogurt). These creamy cucumbers are incredibly easy to make, requiring only 15 minutes of prep time. Credit: Jason Donnelly Once everything is finished chilling, youll have a sweet, tangycucumber recipethat is healthy and refreshing. Add cucumber and onion; toss to coat. Cover and chill for 4 hours or up to 3 days, stirring occasionally....

Use this handy shipping guide to verify your gifts end up under the tree before the big day. Kajakiki / Getty Images You’ll likely be doing plenty ofChristmas shopping onlinethis year. Mark Your Calendar for Free Shipping Day Whats better than free shipping? Credit:Kajakiki / Getty Images Free shipping thats promised to be on your doorstep in time for Christmas! Each year, thousands of retailers participate in Free Shipping Day, which is exactly what it sounds like....

John Bessler Hosting family and friendsfor your holiday celebrations this year? Delight your guests by filling your home with the anticipatedholiday scentof 2024. Set the perfect mood with this captivating fragrance thats quickly becoming a seasonal favorite. Credit:John Bessler To help you discover the scent that will define this Christmas, we reached out to fragrance experts. This prediction is based on both consumer data and professional opinion. “Based on our survey, we predict guests will overall look for nostalgic smells....