The only difference between gardeners and cheapskate gardeners is the amount of money they spend to achieve the same results. The truth is, like no other hobby, gardening is actually more productive when the cheapest—even free!—supplies are used. Control Weeds Newspaper. It’s cheap, and it works beautifully. Cover the area with 10 layers of newspaper,…
Using Straw to Prevent Weeds in the Garden
Q: I added straw to my vegetable garden as a mulch and now there are hundreds of weeds coming up. Does the shade and watering help the weeds seeds grow? I thought the straw was supposed to prevent weeds and keep the soil damp. A: I wonder if you added hay and not straw. Any…
The Peterson Farm Bros Welcome Viewers to Their Family Farm With Humor and Heart—and a Lot of Dancing
For Greg Peterson and his brothers, farming is just part of the family tradition. Greg and his two brothers, Nathan and Kendal, live and work on a farm in Assaria, Kansas, continuing a family tradition of five generations. They grow wheat, corn, soybeans, and a variety of forages for the cattle, of which they have…
Carrot Aioli: It’s Better Than Grass
Nearly 2 percent of the land in the lower 48 states is lawn. In most populated areas, the percentage is much higher. It’s fair to say that most of us have too much lawn and not enough garden—especially this time of year, when you keep getting ambushed by little plants at the farmers market. You…
5 Decor Swaps to Keep Your Home Cooler This Summer
As the temperature outside rises, the annual quest for a cooler home begins—but without spending a fortune on our utility bills. Try incorporating these home-cooling design moves. By swapping out heavy textiles for airy fabrics and setting up effective cross-ventilation, you can create a cooler house without touching the thermostat. Here’s how to design your…
Six Steps to Take Before Offering to Buy a Home
Dear Monty: We are first-time home buyers. We didn’t plan on buying a home for several years. We recently learned that we will soon receive a substantial gift. Our benefactor conditioned the gift on a home purchase. We both have satisfying careers and secure positions but need more knowledge or experience in buying a home….
Pay Down, or Pay Ahead? It Can Be Confusing
Years ago, I learned a lesson I won’t have to learn again. It was that poignant. It was during a time when mortgage interest rates took a nosedive and we benefited by refinancing our high-rate mortgage. The transaction closed in late August with the first payment due in October. Rather than take a month off…
Build a Deck Made of Recycled Material
If building a deck is on your home improvement wish list, consider using recycled building material instead of lumber. These composites can be made of recycled plastic grocery bags, reclaimed pallet wrap and waste wood—anything material reclamation engineers discover. The material is used by home and commercial builders, as well as what do-it-yourselfers can find…
How to Use Wool Dryer Balls and Why You Should
A previous column on fabric softener products struck a chord with thousands of readers. I know because you send me messages and letters, which I love—even some of you who are not 100 percent satisfied making the switch from problematic laundry softeners to what I find are amazing wool dryer balls. But first, let’s review…
Free Plants: The Secrets to Successful Propagation
The cost of nursery plants can quickly add up. This makes cutting roots, saving seeds, and dividing clumping plants an easy and effective way to save money and have a great harvest. Understanding Cuttings There are three main types of cuttings. Softwood is the most common method in the vegetable garden, taking non-woody cuttings from…
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