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The seemingly endless cycle of summer yard maintenance often motivates homeowners to think about buying a new lawn mower, one that will make the job faster and easier, and maybe even be greener for the planet. A battery-powered mower would seem to tick all of those boxes, and with today’s growing selection of battery mowers, […]

Beating the summer heat can be a challenge no matter where you live. However, swamp coolers are only effective in certain climates, which is why many individuals are not familiar with what they are or how they work. But what is a swamp cooler, really? Read on to learn more about what swamp coolers are,

Q: I’ve heard some howling at night, and my neighbor has spotted a few coyotes at the end of our street. I’ve noticed droppings in my yard that don’t belong to my dog, and I’m worried that a coyote could be getting into my yard. What does coyote poop look like? And what can I

Pre-emergent weed killers belong to a group of herbicides that don’t kill unwanted plants. Instead, they stop seeds from sprouting in the first place. Various pre-emergent products are available for lawns, vegetable gardens, and flower beds. Knowing when to apply pre-emergent herbicide can mean the difference between having a lush, weed-free lawn, a yard riddled

Q: My 15-year-old air conditioning unit finally gave up, so I’m in the process of shopping for a new one. I’ve heard that SEER ratings are an important consideration when choosing a new model, but the numbers are confusing. What is SEER rating anyway, and how can it help me get the best air conditioner

Q: I recently spotted feces in my yard that doesn’t look like it came from a dog or cat. I suspect that it’s raccoon feces, but what does raccoon poop look like? A: Although similar in size and shape, raccoon poop can appear different in its contents than the droppings of household pets. What does

While browsing through home listings, I saw one that said the home includes a keeping room. What is a keeping room and what is it used for? A keeping room may sound unfamiliar, but these rooms (sometimes called hearth rooms) have been popular in homes for centuries and you’ve likely seen one. However, the name

Egg masses can be found on any vertical surface and look like a 1?-inch smear of mud or clay. Females lay the eggs in rows before covering them with a protective layer that starts out glossy white but fades to a mud color and develops cracks. Although it seems like they can’t fly (or more

The correct answer on when to plant tulip bulbs depends on your USDA zone, though in most areas, set out tulips in autumn or early winter. Keep in mind that, if you plant them at the proper time, no growth will emerge from those bulbs until late winter or spring. Depending on whether they are

What is a water cistern? Cisterns collect and store rainwater, allowing individuals to reuse the water for household, gardening, and other uses. How does a cistern work? While that can vary between one system and the next, the general idea is the same. When it rains, rainwater is directed through pipes to the cistern tank.