Some seeds need to be kept cold before they will sprout. JJ Gouin / Getty Images Plants often have ways to protect young seedlings from harsh environments. Which Seeds Need Cold Stratification? Credit:JJ Gouin / Getty Images Theseeds of most annual garden flowersand vegetables require no stratification. However, many trees, shrubs, perennials, and wildflowers will only germinate after their seeds are stratified. However, if youplan to plant in spring, you better stratify the seed before sowing outdoors....

If your furnace smells like it’s burning, how worried should you be? Dana Gallagher As temperatures start to drop, homeowners make the switch to heating toensure the home remains comfortable. However, the warm air can often be accompanied by a burning smell that quickly permeates your space. Credit:Dana Gallagher Why Does the Furnace Smell When You First Turn it On? The smell of burning dust should fade quickly. Consider these common reasons why the furnace may smell when you first turn it on....

Discover the history and meaning behind America’s favorite pickled Christmas ornament. Her tree featured every pop in of decoration imaginable, from aesthetic sets of matching snowflakes tovaluable collectiblesandchildhood crafts. But the most out-of-place ornament we pulled from her storage box each year was the special Christmas pickle. Credit:Adrienne Bresnahan / Getty Images What Is the Christmas Pickle Tradition? For other people, the reward is having good luck for the upcoming year....

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) is a powerful cleaning agent, but its use has drawbacks. Learn how to use TSP safely to clean your home. Getty Images / Natalia Kopyltsova What is TSP and when would you use it in your home? Credit:Getty Images / Natalia Kopyltsova It is frequently used toprepare surfaces for repaintingor refinishing. While TSP is a versatile and effective heavy-duty cleaner, it is not without significant drawbacks. TSP is highly caustic and can cause severe eye and skin damage if used improperly....

For many of us, it wouldn’t be the holidays without a bowl of Watergate salad! Here’s everything you gotta know about Watergate salad including how to make it. Why Is It Called Watergate Salad? Credit:bhofack2 / Getty Images Watergate salad has many aliases. Several food brands have also claimed to have invented the classic fluff salad under various names. Either way, the true history of Watergate salad remains a mystery....

What Is Yuzu Fruit? Though its most commonly grown in Japan today, the fruit originated in China. Ippei Naoi/Getty Images What Is Yuzu Sauce? Credit:Ippei Naoi/Getty Images If youve had ponzu sauce before, theres a good chance youve already tried yuzu without even knowing it. Your best bet for finding fresh yuzu is to head to a Japanese grocery store or market. Some yuzu is grown and harvested in California each year, and is in-season from about September through February....

But there’s an unexpected way you could make it work: the meatball test. The meatball test is… sort of exactly what it sounds like. The test is simple: would you be able to tell if meatball dropped onto your rug? Credit:SolStock / Getty Images Think about the material, too. Fluffier rugs help disguise usually-visible pet hair, and fuzzy or fur rugs naturally match the texture. More maximalist patterns make stains less noticeable, while dark colors hide stains that inevitably accumulate over time....

Avoid these foods to keep your skillet in great shape. Proper care andcleaning of a cast-iron skilletwill ensure the pan lasts generations. Seasoning is the most important thing, Clark says. Credit:Brie Goldman Food: Annie Probst Props: Breanna Ghazali How you treat your cast iron is more important than what you put in it, truly. Its like anything elsethe better you take care of it, the better it’s gonna be. The more seasoned the pan is, the more nonstick it will be....

Not sure whether to use the white root or the green leaves of scallions and green onions? We have the answer! You’ve almost certainly eaten green onion at some point. Credit: Jacob Fox And because they’re so common and readily available, you’ve almost certainlycooked with green onion, too. It can be confusing. Some recipes specifically call for the white parts, some the green, and many don’t specify. Both can be used, but there is a guideline for best results when makingrecipes with green onions....

Pick one of these top-selling exterior paint colors to move your home off the market faster. Valspar’s Sue Kim advises keeping your paint color combination to around three colors. Read on for the expert-approved exteriorpaint colorsthat could help land a “Sold” sign in your yard ASAP. Credit: Brie Williams Why pick Painter’s White out of all ofBehr’s exterior paint colors? Highlights include Coventry Gray, Van Courtland Blue, Alexandria Beige, and Putnam Ivory....

Here’s everything you oughta know about the classic Halloween tradition. and making trick-or-treat bags. When Does Trick-or-Treating Start? Credit:Getty Images / skynesher To find out the hours of trick-or-treating in your area, check your local newspaper or news station. What Time Should You Go Trick-or-Treating? We recommend taking small children as early as possible. And that way, you might still get them home and to bed on time. No matter what time you go, be sure to follow thetrick-or-treating etiquette rulesand be kind to your neighbor....

Here’s how to help storm damaged trees recover and assess if a tree can’t be saved. Dont let that sense of urgency push you intocutting down a treethat may be salvageable. Assess the Storm Damage Inspect your trees to determine the extent of damage. Credit:Catherine McQueen / Getty Images Is Tree Removal Necessary? But if several major limbs are damaged, have an arborist assess whether the tree can be saved....

(Maybe that’s why it’s called “zest”!) We adore what citrus zest adds to salad dressing; it makes fresh ingredients taste even fresher. Other courses get a lift from citrus zest. Credit: Jason Donnelly Sometimes, as in thisChicken and Lemon-Broccoli Alfredorecipe, it’s a primary flavor. Try that strategy in thisSpring Stroganoffrecipe. We’ll share what to sub for lemon zest, lime zest, and orange zest. What to Sub for Lemon Zest For 1 tsp....