Unfortunately, growing the Cherimoya tree to produce this delicious fruit can be done only in one select region of the United States, and it will not grow well in containers. For those who live in the magical Goldilocks zone, Zone 10, it’s not all smooth sailing. It will take quite a bit of tending to this tree to produce fruit, but Mark Twain once called the fruit “the most delicious fruit known to men,” so it might just be worth the effort....
Essentially, compost is decomposed organic matter often used as a soil amendment to add organic matter and beneficial organisms to the soil. It is the stuff of life, teeming with microorganisms that become part of the nutrient cycle of plants. Making Compost Compost can be made small scale; in a backyard or underneath a sink, or large scale; in giant windrows turned by front-end loaders or other specialized equipment. Either way, it is all about decomposing organic matter until all that is left is a rich, dark, musty, almost sweet-smelling substance with the consistency of potting soil....
Fast Facts Scientific Name: Accipiter cooperiiCommon Name: Cooper’s Hawk, Blue Darter, Chicken Hawk, Blue-Tailed HawkLifespan: 10-12 yearsSize: 14-20 inchesWeight: 16-20 ouncesWingspan: 25-35 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Cooper’s Hawk Identification Because Cooper’s hawks and sharp-shinned hawks look so similar, it is important for birders to quickly recognize the key field marks that can separate these species. Once you are familiar with what makes Cooper’s hawks unique, it is easier to tell the two types of raptors apart....
What Is a Rain Garden? A rain garden is a planting that you install in a low spot in your landscape. This may be a natural depression on your property, or it may be the result of a planned change in grade that you implement in your landscape design. In addition to collecting rainwater, you can also direct downspouts into rain gardens. A rain garden works somewhat like a retention pond: It collects water runoff and allows it to drain into the soil and be taken up by flood-tolerant plants....
Owner Sara Combs of The Joshua Tree House Alongside her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, Rich, Sara is the co-creator of The Joshua Tree House—a company that designs “experiences both physical and digital.” The design duo is heavily influenced by the desert, and they’re known for creating spaces ideal for people looking to “reflect, reset, and create in [an] incredible landscape.” Location of the Joshua Tree House Joshua Tree, CA Sara and Rich first visited Joshua Tree on a road trip in 2014, and they felt an instant connection to their surroundings....
What is the difference between these window treatments, and which one will work best in your room? To help you decide, here is a list along with some great examples. Designer Tip: Simple valances can be used alone or layered over other window treatments. The soft gathers and folds are perfect with any casual decorating style. Designer Tip: A box-pleated valance is a classic design that is perfect for traditional bedroom styles or old-world looks such as Tuscan or British Colonial....
Focal point: Establishing a focal point is an essential part of smart design for an outdoor room. Focal points help guide the eye to a favorable part of the room and away from a less favorable area. They can also act as points of interest. Vertical space: If your outdoor room has a wall or two, or even a suggested wall, take advantage of the space by using urns or vases with tall ornamental grasses or patio trees, climbing vines or espaliered shrubs....
Vocal Duck Sounds The familiar “quack” attributed to all ducks is usually the female mallard’s quacking, though many female dabbling ducks make similar quacking noises. Quacks are not the only sounds in ducks’ vocabularies, though. While ducks generally do not sing, they can make a variety of vocalizations, including: BarksChattersCoosCroaksGroansGrowlsGruntsHissesHonksHootsPeepsPurrsSighsSqueaksWhistles Any given duck may have different sounds for courtship songs, fending off an intruder, showing stress, or begging for food. The pitch, rhythm, volume, raspiness, breathiness, number of repetitions, and other qualities of the sound can also vary depending on the situation, species, age, and gender of the bird....
Here are five tips to help you keep your kitchen counter organized and neat, regardless of its size.
Birds That Eat Fruit Dozens of bird species eat fruit, and fruit trees can provide food all year round with sweet sap, tender buds, and ripe fruits. Birds that regularly eat fruit include: Bluebirds Grackles Grosbeaks Jays Mockingbirds Orioles Parrots Tanagers Thrashers Thrushes Waxwings Woodpeckers In addition to these frugivorous birds, many other species, including finches and kinglets, will readily sample fruit. Fruit trees also attract insects and caterpillars that will be an important food source for flycatchers, warblers, hummingbirds, and even more bird species....
Conventional vs. Condensing Gas Furnaces The technologies used in forced air furnaces fall into two broad category types: Conventional furnacesCondensing furnaces These furnace types operate very differently. Conventional furnaces represent an older design that exhaust combustion gases up a chimney flue very quickly before they have a chance to cool and before moisture can condense out of them. As a result, the furnace heat exchanger fails to collect the maximum amount of heat from the fuel....
Essentially, the glass sheet backsplash is a sheet of glass that can be painted in the color of your choice and then installed on your wall. This approach offers a completely customizable look while being highly functional as it is easy to maintain and clean. They make a great alternative to stone or quartz and they offer a wide variety of colors. Dig into some of the highlights and benefits of this backsplash option....
Fortunately, we have plant hunters like Mike Rimland to do all the hard work for houseplant lovers. Rimland is the vice president of research and development for houseplants at Costa Farms, one of the largest horticultural growers in the world, and has spent more than 40 years exploring the globe to bring back unique plants for us to enjoy in the comfort of our homes. Many of Rimland’s discoveries are part of Costa Farms’ popular Trending Tropicals Collection....
Understand Your Innate Habits Instagrammer Hattie Kolp naturally enjoys keeping her apartment clean and tidy. “As an adult, I have always been pretty neat,” she said. “My physical surroundings affect how I feel on the inside, so I know if my apartment is a mess I’ll probably feel really stressed out.” That said, as a frequent DIYer, she doesn’t hesitate to show some behind-the-scenes action. “Of course, sometimes—especially during home projects—it does get messy and I gladly will show that on Instagram; maybe not on the feed but in stories,” Kolp added, and perhaps this behavior only strengthens her online presence....
