Find out how to get rid of poison ivy without touching this rash-causing plant. However, not every plant with three leaflets is toxic. Some, likeraspberriesandblackberries, are delicious. Credit:Peter Krumhardt Here’s how to tell poison ivy from look-alike plants. Long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, boots, and gloves are a must. If your hair is long, put it up under your hat. Credit: Marty Baldwin Put your hand into a plastic sack and grip the plant through it....

Marty Baldwin No-shoe households have become more common in recent years. Not only does thiskeep your home cleaner, it alsoprotects your flooringfrom extra wear. But how do you go about creating a completely shoe-free home? Credit:Marty Baldwin It’s actually easier than you might think. Once all members of your household are on board, find a method that works for everyone. It might take some trial and error before you find a solution that fits every member of your household....

The compost will break down, improving the soil structure and fertility. Plus, you’ll perk up your perennials. If you don’t have access to compost, you could use shredded leaves or well-rotted manure. You also can use a packaged fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or fish emulsion. To successfully incorporate fertilizer around existing perennials, do the following: Check your timing. Pull away any mulch. Add the fertilizer or compost. When using fertilizer, carefully measure the recommended amount....

Add curb in three easy steps. Cameron Sadeghpour Window boxes add charm to any exterior window. Once they’re installed, each year is a new planting possibility. Credit:Cameron Sadeghpour Learn how to install a window box on your home’s exterior for quick curb appeal. Attach the wood board to studs. Fill the window box with high-quality potting mix; add plants. Credit:Cameron Sadeghpour Credit:Cameron Sadeghpour Credit:Cameron Sadeghpour

Learn how to revamp your home with a new set of French doors. Clear glass panels give you a great view of the outdoors, but may not provide enough privacy. If this is the case, consider switching to textured or frosted panes. Credit:Emily Minton-Redfield You could also opt to leave the space open instead of installing a screen. With this measurement, find and purchase a French door kit that will fit in the space....

To prevent these problems, homeowners need toclean the gutter systemregularly. Luckily, DIYers can reduce the frequency of gutter cleaning by installing gutter guards. What Are Gutter Guards? Credit:Inga / Adobe Stock Due to the risk of working on a ladder, several precautions must be taken to prevent injury. First, never work on a ladder alone. Attaching a bucket to the ladder with an S-hook can alsohelp you clean gutterswithout frequent trips up and down....

Install house number to see to it guests can identify your home. It’s also a good idea to think about where the house numbers will be installed. However, there are a variety of options for house number placement. Credit: Carson Downing Just ensure that the selected location follows any community or municipal guidelines. Use this guide to learn how to install house numbers and where to put them. Also, it’s recommended to check any local community or municipality guidelines for house number installation....

Stop your drawers from slamming shut. Installing soft-close door slides takes only an hour (or less! ), and you’ll be rewarded with a quieter kitchen. They’re affordable, easy to use, and a cinch to install. And they’ll bring peace and quiet to your kitchen. Unscrew the existing drawer glide hardware from both the drawer and the cabinet. Step 2: Install Drawer Glides Set the drawer on its side. Mark placement with a pencil....

Score cloudlike meringue every time with these foolproof tips from our Test Kitchen. Whipping a bowl of egg whites tostiff, glossy peaksfor a meringue pie is a magical process. It’s a top complaint abouthomemade meringue piesbecause no one wants a slice of sad, watery pie. Credit: Andy Lyons Here you’ll learn what causes meringue to weep as well as how to prevent it from happening. Overcooking meringue causes those little sugary drops of moisture on top of baked meringues....

These tiny pests have a big appetite for rose leaves. Learn how to recognize the signs of damage and get rid of them. The good news is that there are a few easy ways to get them under control. Credit: Dean Schoeppner Here’s how to get rid of rose slugs. What Is a Rose Slug? Rose slugs look like caterpillars or even miniature slugs, hence their name. But a rose slug isneither a true slugnor a caterpillar (which becomes a moth orbutterfly)....

When diving into your nextlandscaping project, plants might naturally come to mindfirst. Is there a difference between landscaping rock and stone? Weathered stone has rounded or brittle edges and numerous crevices. Credit: Kindra Clineff Pleasant likes to use them as accents both in garden beds and containers. Start Small Even a few small stones or rocks can make a big impact when used correctly. “After all, you already have the textures from your house,deck, and other features....

Lighting a charcoal grill requires charcoal, more time and other tools like a chimney. But here’s a general guide for lighting one, no matter what model you own. It’s wise tostock two propane tanksin case one runs out mid-grill. Credit: Kalim / Adobe Stock Take a Beat Wait for 20 seconds after you hear and see the ignition start. Carefully hold your hand about 6 inches above the grill to test the heat....

Stovetops and ovens also rely on this heat source to cook and bake. What Is a Pilot Light? The heat from the burner increases the temperature of the water to the set temperature before shutting off. Credit:Getty Images / Gregor Bister When Would I Need to Light a Pilot Light? Homeowners only need to worry aboutlighting a pilot lightif it happens to go out. Pilot lights can also go out if the gas valve is dirty, clogged, or damaged....