Advice Archive | August 2025 | Homes and Gardens

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August 14th
- Get bigger and better pumpkins by planting them with these 7 companion crops
- Ground covers to attract hummingbirds – switch out boring bare soil for these 5 wildlife magnets
- ‘You’re risking more than just a streaky countertoр’ – 7 signs it’s time to replace your kitchen sponge
- What's your zodiac flower? Discover which bloom you have a star sign connection to, plus tips on how to grow it in your yard
- This cheap household staple is the key to easily eliminating mold and odors in your fridge with zero effort
August 13th
- How to make DIY scented drawer liners in 3 simple steps and instantly banish musty home storage
- Are Japanese knives worth the money? Here's everything you need to know, from the different types to the pros and cons
- You can propagate grape vines from cuttings in 2 ways – here is a simple step-by-step guide to getting new plants for free
- Is it necessary to fertilize Shasta daisies? Expert advice from a pro grower for long-lasting blooms this summer
- I asked interior designers which outdated bathroom vanity colors they are sick of seeing – these are the 5 'predictable' shades they said to avoid
- 7 ways I use my versatile Scrub Daddy sponge – and why I will never so much as look at another sponge again
August 12th
- This common kitchen staple could harbor harmful bacteria and cause food poisoning, experts reveal – a simple switch in habits will 'prevent weeks of illness'
- 6 tempingly cozy slow cooker ideas – bookmark them now for stress-free fall batch cooking
- Best roses for rosehips – 6 varieties to guarantee bumper crops of hips from fall and throughout winter
- This simple trick saved me hundreds of dollars on compost – it's time-consuming but, trust me, the results are worth it
- How to grow veronica – for an easy-going flowering perennial that will erupt with color every summer
- You can grow bumper chili harvests in tiny, sunny spaces – our expert recommendations of the best varieties for pots (whether you like them hot or not)
- 'Once an item lands, it snowballs' – 7 things super organized people never do, as revealed by experts
August 11th
- I'm growing tomatoes for the first time and this beginner-friendly, space-saving method keeps my plants standing upright and growing vigorously
- 5 plants that attract ladybugs and bring them to your garden in droves – for natural, non-toxic pest control
- This is the angry decluttering method to embrace if clutter is getting to you – expert organizers say it’s time to spark rage, not joy, for easy streamlining
- How to take forsythia cuttings – August is the ideal time to take semi-ripe cuttings and grow more spectacular shrubs for free
- I've grown these 5 vegetables all summer, and I've never had such enormous yields – what to grow if you want copious crops
- How to grow currants – these healthy and easy-to-grow fruits thrive in cooler climates and are perfect for jams, jellies, and baking
- How to get the most from your vacuum cleaner – expert tips on use and maintenance
- I love this discreet and compact Joseph Joseph laundry rack for dorm living and concealed drying
August 10th
- Your house will be less messy, clutter won't spread, and you'll feel less stressed if you tidy 1 vital but tiny area daily – it's why pro organizers prioritize it
- 'They’re not worth storing' – 5 pool items you need to declutter before the end of summer
- 'Friendly, smart and no scare tactics' – 5 cleaning books you need to read for simple, affordable sanitation
- 5 of the trickiest annuals I've ever grown and how to succeed with them – even in late summer
- These 7 plants will dramatically improve your soil health – and August is the perfect time to sow them as green manures
- Is it necessary to fertilize red hot pokers? Here's what I do as a plant pro to enjoy masses of long-lasting fiery flowers
- Why wrapping aluminum foil around hummingbird feeders could save your nectar this summer
- 'This isn't a bird problem, it's a design one' – 3 simple, expert methods to stop birds flying into windows, doors, and outdoor mirrors
- This popular 18th-century garden trend is having a 'quiet comeback' – and Joanna Gaines's Lake Waco retreat features the best modern example I've seen to date
August 9th
- 3 free and functional ways I turned around my frustrating, tiny linen closet storage
- Plants to make a poolside smell nice – 5 expert-approved options to elevate your space
- 'It creates a low-level toxic exposure risk that’s totally avoidable' – 5 things you should never clean with disinfectant wipes
- 7 fruits to pick in August – discover the signs of ripeness you need to know, and how to harvest them properly
- 7 flowers to plant in August to fuel the hummingbird migration – it's not too late to grow a nectar-rich floral buffet
- How to use the traits of your birth month to turbocharge decluttering your home
- Sedum care and growing guide: how to grow stonecrops for resilient ground cover and vibrant color
- I thought my mop was just OK – until a professional cleaner taught me the right way to use it
August 8th
- I ate so unhealthily in college, but now I’m a wellness chef – this is the one appliance I’d take if I were going back to school
- If you aspire for tasty homegrown harvests in winter and spring, I recommend planting these 7 easy-to-grow vegetables in August
- Will bleach kill roaches? Our entomologists reveal whether this 'whack-a-mole' approach really works
- As a plant obsessive, I can tell you these 5 houseplants in the color of ‘Hidden Gem’ will add an air of elegance and sophistication to your interiors
- Keep spiders out of your house this fall with this 1 surprising natural ingredient
- Can I cut the roots of my neighbor's tree in my yard? Attorneys and landscape professionals advise – and reveal when you might be breaking the law
- DIY deer deterrents – 3 simple, budget-friendly, and expert-approved ways to keep these creatures away from your yard
- 'It's great for killing germs on surfaces' – I swapped my toxic disinfectant spray for a DIY vodka cleaner and couldn't believe the sparkling results
August 7th
- Verbascum varieties – 15 enchanting options for bright summer spires
- If you get itchy from detergent residue, you need to try Clean People Laundry Sheets – people with allergies swear by them
- 'It completely defeats the purpose' – experts urge you to ditch this performative organizing task so you can more easily tidy your home
- Why is my crocosmia not blooming? 5 common reasons for a lack of flowers, and how to fix them
- Gardeners swear by using baffles to keep squirrels off bird feeders, and it is not as strange as it sounds
- 4 natural mosquito repellents you can make yourself for easy, non-toxic protection from your pantry in a pinch
- 7 fruit trees to prune in August for a bigger, better harvest – my late-summer essential checklist as a professional gardener
August 6th
- This Clutter Awareness Week, pro organizers reveal 5 clutter categories that had a 'huge impact' on their clients' wellbeing – and how to clear yours easily
- Could your vintage pieces actually be dating your home? Designers warn to avoid these 'familiar culprits that make a space feel stuck in time'
- You can cut back bee balm in fall or spring – here’s how to decide which is best for you, plus expert tips for how to prune
- Did you know creating a free 'DIY Cool Room' saves you money, keeps you comfortable, and makes a 'big difference' in summer?
- How to fertilize daylilies – my essential tips as a professional gardener for lush, long-lasting flowers this summer
- 5 things I ruthlessly decluttered in my 30s as a professional organizer – it’s helped make space for big life changes
- I'll admit it, I adore these 8 plants, but their aggressive habits means I no longer grow them – and I urge you to think twice before planting them too
- This fun yard addition can protect your porch from bothersome bats – it’s simple, eco-friendly, and costs less than $50
- How to grow a damson tree for bountiful harvests of delicious fruits – ideal for jams, jellies, and gins
August 5th
- Never overcook salmon again – these expert tips will help you achieve professional results every time
- Best corn companion plants – 7 crops guaranteed to help you get bigger yields and repel troublesome pests
- This simple monthly task will keep your wall paint pristine and reduce the need for frequent redecorating – you need just 1 cleaning essential
- Why is my agapanthus not flowering? What I've learned after years of growing these blooms as a professional gardener
- This bestselling $9 laundry hero revives dingy whites without bleach – 50,000 people bought it last month
- Clean floors and furniture in seconds with this powerful $80 handheld vacuum – it's ideal for those tiny dorm rooms
- 8 underrated shade plants – overlooked beauties that will thrive in shady spaces
- ‘It is effective because it's simple’ – the Mount Vernon method is the answer to overwhelming clutter, no matter how stressed you feel, experts say
- I planted these 7 flowers around my bird bath – now it’s the most beautiful, bird-filled corner of my garden
August 4th
- Experts reveal the biggest summer hosting mistakes to avoid in 2025
- This affordable cordless vacuum is under $140 right now, and it's my favorite for power on a budget – it's perfect for dorms and small spaces
- 'Breathing them in is not a good idea' – 7 things to never put in your humidifier, from tap water to perfume
- 7 must-have bulbs to order in August – my go-to showstopping spring flowers as a professional gardener (get them before it is too late)
- A professional cleaner says these are the 3 tasks you should be doing regularly if you wear shoes in the house
- Do petunias attract hummingbirds? They may hold the secret to encouraging these popular birds to visit
- How to deter sweat bees – 3 methods a pest control expert swears by to keep these stinging insects away from your yard
- Professional cleaners say these are the 3 tasks you should be doing regularly if you use your air fryer daily
August 3rd
- Trust me, houseplants will brighten up your college dorm room instantly – and these 5 won't mind being neglected while you're busy studying
- Ready to go back to school? Here's everything your dorm room needs, according to a former college student-turned style editor who knows how to shop for a small shared space
- I've never quite mastered cooking steak – but these professional tips mean I'll always achieve perfect results
- I thought I'd need an expensive arborist, but this $39 cordless mini chainsaw is the smart way to handle tough tree pruning jobs this fall
- They aren’t just for travel – a professional organizer shares the three smart ways to use packing cubes around the home
- 7 plants I always prune in August as a professional gardener – trim these flowers and shrubs now before it's too late
- Where to place a bird bath in your yard for maximum activity throughout summer
- This affordable hack deters mosquitoes with a citrus summer scent – here's how to try it in your own home
- As a professional gardener, these are the 5 trees I'd never plant in any yard ever again (and what I'd choose instead)
August 2nd
- Best verbena varieties – 5 dazzling choices we adore for a delicate touch to borders and pots
- 7 habits you need to ditch that are making your rugs dirty – stop these now to save your rug
- Take cuttings of these plants in August before it is too late – 7 flowers and shrubs to propagate now before the summer window ends
- How to get a raspberry plant to fruit – 3 things a gardening expert promises will bring you a sweet berry harvest
- I have four dogs and these are the 5 cleaning products I always avoid – here's why, and what to use instead
- Underrated bedding plants – 8 choices experts urge you to make room for in your backyard
- Should you choose your bathroom paint color or tiles first? Interior designers share their preferred approach for a cohesive design
- I'm immediately buying this Shark VACMOP for $56 at Walmart – it’s the quick, easy floor cleaner I’ve been waiting for
- Annuals that thrive on neglect – 5 essential flowers for time-poor gardeners, simply plant and forget
August 1st
- Plant these 7 self-seeding flowers in August and effortlessly triple your garden blooms without spending a dime
- These 5 places are top of my list when organizing in August – here’s why you need to tackle them with me in 2025
- This boiler mistake could be secretly spiking your home’s temperature this summer – This is the 'one change that can make a big difference on your cooling bill'
- How to propagate a desert rose – to get more fabulously floriferous tropical plants for free
- This $9.98 mini countertop vacuum is the stylish, crumb-busting essential every tidy home needs – and you'll want one for your kitchen and desk
- The foundation of a beautiful home starts here – why Karndean flooring is the smartest style choice
- Trust me, window boxes can thrive even in shade – and this is my go-to plant recipe for adding zest and light to a gloomy ledge
- This is the one plant to grow if you want to help endangered monarch butterflies – and it's not too late to add one to your yard this summer
- These are the 7 places I will be cleaning in August for a sanitized space fit for the last stretch of summer