But before you try to jam a lawn sprinkler underneath the zucchini, there are quite a few things that would be good to know about these devices. This guide will explain all the important details—including a breakdown of all the different types of sprinklers, as well as how to choose a model and how (and when) to use it. How Does a Sprinkler System Work? Sprinklers are handy little machines that help distribute water to yards and gardens (and the occasional child looking to cool off during a heat wave)....

JanSport Big Student Backpack Every new school year starts with a great backpack. This durable bag is made from 100 percent polyester and has an ergonomic design that fits comfortably on your child’s back. It features plenty of storage for laptops, notebooks, and other items with its large front compartments and front-pocket utility organizer. This backpack also comes in numerous color choices to best match your kid’s personal style. Premier Tech Hut Multi-Device Charging Station If your child has a laptop or tablet device from their school that needs regular charging, this product could come in handy....

Shown: Shaker-style cabinets and two-over-two double-hung windows are period appropriate yet fit nicely with an unfussy island, a pro-style range, and sleek quartz countertops. Contractor: Ramsey Creek; Custom cabinets, islands, and range hood: Brighton Cabinetry; Windows: Marvin Loving an old house—even one that’s been in your family for ages—doesn’t mean you have to live in the past. Just ask Kaleb Wyse, whose family grows corn and soybeans in Mount Pleasant, IA, on land they’ve been farming for four generations....

Top 5 Handheld Carpet Cleaners Best For Medium Jobs: Bissell Little Green Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner Best Cleaning Function: Hoover Spotless Carpet and Upholstery Spot Cleaner Most Lightweight: Hoover PowerDash GO Spot Cleaner Best Automatic Cleaner: Bissell SpotBot Pet Spot and Stain Cleaner Most Portable: Rug Doctor Pet Spot Cleaner Best For Medium Jobs: Bissell Little Green Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner This carpet cleaner has a clean water tank capacity of 48 ounces, allowing you to complete medium-sized jobs before needing to stop for a refill....

This Old House Reviews Team believes TruGreen is the best option for lawn care in Tampa, with multiple comprehensive plans, a variety of a la carte services, and decades of experience and expertise. Weed Man and Lawn Doctor are two other alternatives in the area. Top Recommended Lawn Care Provider: TruGreen TruGreen is one of the most popular names in lawn care. The lawn care company services 2.3 million residential and commercial customers across the country, in all states except for Alaska....

Plus-size sleepers who are on the hunt for the best mattress for heavy people often have a more challenging time finding options that incorporate the support features they need. The term “heavy sleepers” doesn’t necessarily mean overweight people, but rather those who are taller, larger, and weigh more than some mattresses can viably support (around 230 lbs per side). Most mattresses are designed with a weight limit that can simply inhibit larger individuals from receiving the level of comfort and support they need to wake up feeling rested....

From quaint New England villages to bustling urban enclaves, here area a dozen places where you can find a perfect old house of your own along the northern Atlantic coast. Harwinton, Connecticut Nestled in the rolling hills of northwestern Connecticut, Harwinton was an agricultural town when it was incorporated in 1737. The community has maintained its rural character through open-space ordinances, the preservation of original stone walls, and support for the protection of a scenic dirt road....

Garlic Plant with: Roses, raspberries, cucumbers, peas, lettuce, and celery. Get these benefits: The most popular allium for keeping aphids off roses, garlic repels Japanese beetles and spider mites, too. Sweet Alyssum Plant with: Potatoes, broccoli, beans, corn, and eggplant. Get these benefits: This sweet-smelling ground cover attracts predatory wasps and hoverflies, which devour aphids. Borage Plant with: Strawberries, cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes. Get these benefits: Ward off tomato worms. This annual also adds trace minerals to soil, helping boost disease resistance in nearby plants....

As sultry August gives way to the cooler months of September and October, fall’s lower temperatures and shorter days signal it’s time to get busy in the yard and garden. “Fall’s cool weather makes it a great time to work outside,” says TOH landscape contractor Jenn Nawada. “Giving plants some attention then sets you up for a healthier landscape come spring.” Start by Prepping Your Lawn Early on, before the leaves start raining down, focus on the lawn....

“Always work a season ahead,” advises horticulturist Gail Read, who has spent decades tending the public gardens at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, Rhode Island. “The prep work done in spring sets us up for a successful summer.” Dig in and clear away dried leaves, prune out winter damage, and bring in fresh compost and plants, ideally before weed seeds catch on that there’s bare ground to spare. Acting early is the difference between enjoying the seasonal rituals of planting, weeding, and deadheading—and falling behind and making the whole thing feel like drudgery....

In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched some of the best early Black Friday deals for homeowners, including popular kitchen appliances, heaters for the holidays, tech-friendly gifts, and even Christmas decor. Discover our favorite early Black Friday deals below. Our Favorite Early Black Friday Deals Sale on NutriBullet Immersion Blender Sale on Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Sale on Bowers & Wilkins True Wireless Headphones Sale on Comfort Zone Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater Sale on Nostalgia Retro Countertop Microwave Oven Sale on Marshall Acton II Bluetooth Speaker Sale on Alpine Corporation Solar Snowflake Garden Stakes...

This Old Red House We were tickled red-and-green when we saw how homeowner Bunny Blaha and son Tyler Hixenbaugh tricked out their 1899 foursquare with colorful plants, garlands, and wreaths. She called her home, “Our Old Red House,” and the rich red exterior color—mixed by Bunny herself—made a beautiful backdrop for draped evergreens and potted red poinsettias. Read on for more holiday home decorating ideas from Bunny. Holiday Trim Bunny’s living room dressed in its holiday best: We like how she played off the custom wall color and stuck with a mostly red-and-green theme, which complemented the oak baseboards and double-height mantel well....

Solar Has Obstacles Solar installations continue to grow by around 20 percent each year, and about 3 percent of the world’s electricity comes from solar. However, it has obstacles. The installation process, whether it be in a solar field or on a roof, requires materials like concrete and metal. Also, in some cases, roofs will need reinforcement before they’re able to carry the load. These issues are holding solar’s growth back, but a format change could make a big difference....

In the video above, This Old House experts shows you what to do to prepare your fireplace, the process of fireplace insert installation and share tips along the way on venting, insulation, and electrical. How to Install a Fireplace Insert in 16 Steps Tools How to Install a Gas Fireplace Insert Best Fireplace Inserts

But a shed can be much more than a mere storage locker. It can serve as a focal point on your property, adding a defining element to your garden. It offers a pleasant space for puttering and potting, starting seeds, propagating cuttings, and dividing plants to share with friends. And it can be a snug, peaceful escape from the demands of a schedule-crammed life, and a place to commune with the outdoors....