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How Different Apple Varieties Are Created Many of the apple varieties you can find today are the result of random mutations known as “sports” and by growers sorting through hundreds (if not thousands) of seedlings looking for something different; whether it’s taste, size, color, or consistency. Nowadays, these tasks are usually performed by professional plant breeders in a scientific way, but in previous years, the simple act of planting a few seeds led to most of the selections we enjoy today....

There are special tricks for hanging Christmas wreaths outside and throughout your home, and we have a few no-fail secrets to help you hang your wreath damage-free! We’ll walk you through each method so you can choose the one that’s right for your space. And if you’ve not yet picked out the perfect Christmas wreath yet, check out our creative Christmas wreath ideas to upgrade your classic evergreen decoration....

First, before you start any installation, double-check the location of your old thermostat to ensure it’s in the best place. Then, you’ll need to make sure your home’s heating and cooling system is compatible with a smart thermostat. Also, download the thermostat’s mobile app (if available) to track your usage, set your thermostat while you’re away from home, and learn how to use less energy. What You Need Programmable thermostat (we used the Nest Thermostat)ScrewdriverCamera or smartphoneJoint compoundPutty knifeSandpaperPaintbrushPaintScrewsDrill (optional)...

Learning how to cut and install butcher block isn’t difficult. We’ll walk you through the basic process for creating custom butcher block countertops. You can also use our how-to to install a butcher block island. For this project, you’ll need a few materials, a few hours, and basic carpentry skills. Editor’s Tip: Before getting started, remove any existing countertops. If they’re in good condition, consider reinstalling them in another area of your home (like a garage or basement workstation) or donating them to a resale store....

Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit Have a salesperson help you assemble all the parts you need: conduit, couplings, elbows, sweeps, and PVC boxes. Connect to a metal box using a terminal adapter. Flexible plastic tubing is a convenient way to channel wiring. Blue corrugated EMT tubing is used for indoor installations; moisture-impermeable tubing is used outdoors. Both come in long coils. Check to see whether your local codes allow these products. How to Install PVC Conduit Step 1: Cut Box Install PVC boxes, then measure and mark the conduit for a cut....

Where to Buy Stock Tank Pools Stock tank pools can be found at agriculture supply retailers like Tractor Supply Company, Fleet Farm, and Wilco. Look for one that’s at least two feet deep, and large enough for more than one person. Small, oval-shaped pools can work for a single adult or a couple of young kids, but 6- to 8-foot round stock tanks are ideal for groups of two or more....

Many of these clever cleaning hacks use everyday household items, such as cooking spray, vinegar, and nail polish, so you can clean and sanitize your space with things you already have on hand. So the next time you’re on scrub duty, try these clean bathroom hacks to get a sparkling space in less time. 1. Clean Your Toilet with Vodka Not the good stuff, of course! Instead, look to that cheap bottle of vodka that’s been occupying your bar cart for far too long and use it to make your toilet shine....

Test Kitchen Tip: Make the hot chocolate base and keep it warm in the slow cooker until ready to serve. Test Kitchen Tip: Swap graham crackers, vanilla cookies, or cinnamon-sugar pita chips for the sliced apples.

Buy It: Lodge Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven ($40, Walmart) P.S.: If you’re looking for an Irish beef stew, try this recipe. While traditional Irish stews are made with lamb, this has the same essential ingredients, just with beef. Dry mustard and allspice amplify the flavors in this savory beef and vegetable stew. All of the above, plus tomato sauce, beef broth, and aromatic vegetables make this taste like you spent far more than 25 minutes of prep time to execute....

With Aldi stocking fall specials now and in the coming weeks, now is the best time to stock up on your seasonal favorites (think lots of pumpkin, maple, apple, caramel, and cinnamon flavors). Some items are only stocked as weekly specials, while others get a semi-permanent spot on shelves for the season. Check online for their current and upcoming weekly specials and to get the most up-to-date info on what’s coming to a store near you....

Growing conditions: Partial shade or full sun in well-drained, consistently moist soil Size: Up to 6-feet tall Zones: 4-8 Buy It: Staghorn Sumac Oxymel ($20, Etsy) Growing Conditions: Partial shade in well-drained soil Size: 5-feet tall, 8-feet wide Zones: 5-8 Buy It: Lily-of-the-Valley Bulb Pack ($14, Etsy) Growing Conditions: Full shade to full sun in well-drained soil Size: Can vary by variety; some reach 2-to-4-feet tall, others up to 30-feet tall Zones: 4-7 Buy It: Dense Spreading Yew Shrub ($32, The Home Depot) Growing Conditions: Partial shade or full sun in well-drained soil Size: Varies by variety Zones: 2-9 Buy It: Shadblow Serviceberry ($17, Arbor Day Foundation) Growing Conditions: Partial shade or full sun in well-drained, consistently moist soil Size: 4-to-6-feet tall, 4-feet wide Zones: 3-9 Buy It: Ruby Spice Clethra ($45, Etsy) Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade in slightly moist, well-drained soil Size: 3-to-6-feet tall and wide Zones: 3-9 Buy It: Autumn Sunburst Azalea ($45, Lowe’s) Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade in slightly moist, well-drained soil Size: 2-to-20-feet tall Zones: 4-8 Buy It: Compact Rhododendron Shrub ($34, The Home Depot) Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade in well-drained soil Size: 2-to-20-feet tall, 5-to-7-feet wide Zones: 6-10 Buy It: Pink Camellia Flowering Shrub ($23, Lowe’s) Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade in well-drained soil Size: 3-to-8-feet tall and wide Zones: 4-7 Buy It: Grumpy Bigleaf Hydrangea ($18, The Home Depot) Growing Conditions: Partial shade in moist, well-drained soil Size: 5-to-15-feet tall and wide Zones: 4-9 Buy It: Flowering Mountain Laurel Cuttings ($15, Etsy) Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade in slightly moist, well-drained soil Size: 3-to-4-feet tall, 2-to-4-feet wide Zones: 7-9 Buy It: Daphne ‘Aureomarginata Alba’ ($46, Wayside Gardens) Growing Conditions: Partial shade to full sun in well-drained soil Size: 6-to-8-feet tall and wide Zones: 2-9 Buy It: Chinese Snowball Viburnum ($33, The Home Depot) Growing Conditions: Partial shade in well-drained soil Size: 6-to-8-feet tall, 4-to-6-feet wide Zones: 5-9 Buy It: Gatsby Moon Oakleaf Hydrangea ($29, The Home Depot) Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade in moist soil (can tolerate poorly drained soil) Size: 3-to-6-feet tall, 6-to-8-feet wide Zones: 4-9 Buy It: Double Flowering Kerria ($41, Garden Centerpoint)

Take advantage of in-season produce with these quick summer dinner recipes. Get more recipes for healthy summer side dishes!

Test Kitchen Tip: Use a serrated bread knife to cut into this decadent dessert. This will keep the meringue from crumbling and the berries from squeezing out the sides. Buy It: Miranda Trifle Bowl, ($40, Crate & Barrel)

Buy It: Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer ($380, KitchenAid) Buy It: Hamilton Beach Stack and Snap 12 Cup Food Processor ($59, Target) Buy It: Wüsthof Gourmet Serrated Utility Knife ($50, Williams Sonoma) Buy It: Mega Cookie Sheet ($13, Target) Buy It: Black & Decker Helix Performance Premium Hand Mixer ($35, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Cooling Rack by Celebrate It ($12, Michaels)

Seasonal Highlights: Fall: Spectacular bright red and orange foliage lingers late into the autumn. Winter: Smooth pale gray bark provides interest, often on multiple trunks. Spring: Fragrant, white, pendulous flowers smother branches. Summer: Delicious red and purple berries add color and attract songbirds. Seasonal Highlights: Fall: Hundreds of gorgeous white, pink, or lilac create a mass of color. Winter: Faded flower heads add interest and attract songbirds. Spring: This early riser features bright green leaves....