Home & Garden

Jul
01
2021
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By Troy Warren
7 Festive Ways to Celebrate Fourth of July Without Fireworks

7 Festive Ways to Celebrate Fourth of July Without Fireworks

Home & Garden,
By Emily VanSchmus | BHG.Com Troy Warren for CNT Your local firework show may be canceled due to the fireworks shortage. Rather than put on your own show, try these kid-safe alternatives in the backyard instead. After missing the Fourth of July celebrations last year due to the pandemic, I'm ready to go all-out this year. But don't get too excited about your backyard fireworks display just yet—because of an increase in demand, and since production levels aren't back to where they were pre-pandemic, there will be a firework shortage this summer.  And while you're probably used to shooting off bottle rockets…
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Jun
30
2021
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By Troy Warren
Aphids and ‘alligators’ seen on garden plants

Aphids and ‘alligators’ seen on garden plants

Home & Garden, ,
By Walter Reeves, For the AJC Troy Warren for CNT Q: I’m a new gardener and my pea plant stems are absolutely covered with small, dark gray creatures. Louise Lubben, Fulton County A: In May/June each year, aphid populations can explode on susceptible plants like peas, onions and peppers. They weaken plants by sucking the sap from stems and leaves. Look closely and you might spot ants feeding on the undigested honeydew from aphids. You might also see orange and black “alligators” (larval ladybugs) feeding on unlucky aphids. Since we don’t want to hurt beneficial insects, the easiest solution for aphids is to…
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Jun
29
2021
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By Troy Warren
How to Arrange Dried Flowers

How to Arrange Dried Flowers

Home & Garden
By Leslie Poyzer and Emily VanSchmus | BHG.Com Troy Warren for CNT Skip the store-bought bouquets and make your own for a fraction of the cost. Dried floral bouquets have been making a huge comeback over the last year. The ultra-trendy arrangements of dried blooms and pampas grasses are so popular, stores can't keep them in stock. So while you might not be able to buy them from your favorite store, you can make your own arrangement at home—and it's easier than you might think.  Plus, store-bought dried flower arrangements can cost upwards of $100. We'll show you how to create your own arrangement for much less,…
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Jun
29
2021
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By Troy Warren
These space-saving hacks will make your tiny kitchen feel huge

These space-saving hacks will make your tiny kitchen feel huge

Home & Garden, ,
By Kiersten Willis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT Among the kitchen trends for 2021 are space-saving options or those that can help the room function beyond a space for preparing meals. Homes & Gardens’ list of in-vouge motifs includes various storage options, including pantries and in-drawer appliances. “Storage is, and will continue to be, a big part of the kitchen space. For those with smaller kitchens, the need for clever storage in this space is crucial in terms of efficiently utilizing the room you have,” Paul Jenkinson, founder managing director of British kitchen brand LochAnna Kitchens told the publication. But…
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Jun
28
2021
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By Troy Warren
DIY Planter Rockets

DIY Planter Rockets

Home & Garden, ,
Troy Warren for CNT Make your own Fourth of July rockets with all the fun—and none of the pyrotechnics—of a real fireworks show! This quick and easy craft makes the perfect addition to a front porch planter. Use simple materials to craft an adorable set of paper rockets. Our free template makes it easy to make rocket shapes from plain poster board, and the finished product is adorable! Play around with different spray paint effects to get the perfect look for your front porch.   What you need     How to do it   STEP 1 Assemble Rockets  Use…
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Jun
27
2021
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By Troy Warren
How to Prevent Birds from Flying into Your Windows

How to Prevent Birds from Flying into Your Windows

Home & Garden,
By Rita Pelczar | HomesAndGardens.Com Troy Warren for CNT Keep your feathered friends safe with a few simple adjustments. The thump of a bird hitting your window is an awful sound. And unfortunately, window strikes are quite common for wild birds, especially during their mating and migrating seasons in spring and fall. These collisions often end up injuring and killing our feathered visitors. This problem has significantly contributed to the loss of nearly 30% of the North American bird population since 1970. The good news is that there are several simple things you can do to stop birds from flying into your windows. Understanding…
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Jun
24
2021
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By Troy Warren
CNT: 5 budget-friendly ways to shape your backyard into an outdoor retreat

CNT: 5 budget-friendly ways to shape your backyard into an outdoor retreat

Home & Garden, ,
By Kiersten Willis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT There’s no reason to spend lots of money to transform your backyard into an at-home getaway spot. Better Homes and Gardens has two-dozen inexpensive ideas for how to make your backyard the perfect summer oasis. Even better, you can enjoy these ideas beyond the season. Check out the five DIY and easy-on-the-wallet options below. DIY a campground fire pit If you can’t make it to the campground this summer or would like to have that feeling year-round, you can build your own fire pit in the backyard. By Visit Lake Oconee ADVERTISER CONTENT…
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Jun
23
2021
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By Troy Warren
How to create a puddle that butterflies will love

How to create a puddle that butterflies will love

Home & Garden, ,
By Walter Reeves, For the AJC Troy Warren for CNT Q: I saw your YouTube video about creating a butterfly puddling station with sand and composted manure. Can you use worm castings instead of composted manure? Judy Van Kuren, Cleona, Pennsylvania A: Yes, worm castings have enough micro nutrients and other salts to keep butterflies healthy when they visit. Making an artificial puddle for butterflies is one of the best ways to have them stand still for a bit so you can admire them. All it takes is a wide, shallow saucer, some sand, and some composted manure (or worm castings or Milorganite).…
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Jun
22
2021
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By Troy Warren
Skip these 5 renovations to avoid harming your home’s value

Skip these 5 renovations to avoid harming your home’s value

Home & Garden,
By Kiersten Willis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT There’s been a boost in at-home renovation projects within the past year — and it shows no signs of slowing. The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity released in April forecasts mid-single-digit gains in yearly home improvement spending in 2021. By the first quarter of 2022, a 4.8% growth will occur. “With a financial boost from recent federal stimulus payments and strong house price appreciation, homeowners are continuing to invest in the upkeep and improvement of their homes,” Chris Herbert, Managing Director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies said in a press release. “This…
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Jun
22
2021
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By Troy Warren
Is the Housing Market Going to Crash in 2021?

Is the Housing Market Going to Crash in 2021?

Home & Garden, Real Estate,
By Mia Taylor | BHG.Com Troy Warren for CNT The housing market is red-hot right now, but if you're waiting for a massive market correction, don't count on it. Real estate industry experts weigh in with predictions for home buying and selling trends. It's hardly a secret that real estate prices across the country have been skyrocketing. Recent data from Redfin, a real estate brokerage, shows that median home prices are up 20% year-over-year. At the same time, many properties are under contract for purchase within a mere one to two weeks of hitting the market and it's not unusual for prospective buyers to…
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