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Simple Weed Killer Hack

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Keeping weeds out of gravel and concrete can be difficult. You don’t want to kill the grass around the area, but pulling the weeds out naturally is back breaking and time consuming. Sure, there are tons of weed killers on the market, but most are extremely expensive. Plus, who knows what kinds of chemicals you might be breathing in. Fortunately, there is a cheap and simple solution that’s way easier! Courtenay at the Creek Line House Blog clues us in:

Table salt is the most obvious and natural weed killer and preventer ever. The idea of using salt appealed to me because it’s so darn simple and so darn cheap too. And it really works! Well, how quickly and how effectively it works depends on a few things. It works by completely dehydrating the plant, so a nice hot sunny day really speeds up the process Never salt in an area where you hope to have things grow in the future! That’s why it’s also a weed preventer.

Photo Credit: Debs 

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Easy Door Hinge Fix

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It’s a home maintenance problem that can get really annoying really fast: loose door hinges. Every time you open the door, it wobbles and wiggles and you feel like it might fall on top of you, and it is a serious safety hazard for young kids. On top of that, it can be a pain to fix. Unless, of course, you are aware of this simple hack using a golf tee. According to Vanessa Brunner at Houzz, the cause for jiggly doors is usually a stripped screw in the hinge. Once you remove the existing screw (which is a challenge in itself), it can be very difficult to drill into the existing hole. But not if you have a golf tee lying around:

Squirt some carpenter‘s glue into the hole, insert the pointed end of a golf tee in, and tap the tee into place with a hammer.

Using a sharp utility knife, cut off the exposed extra part of the golf tee.

Finally, drill a new pilot hole directly into the golf tee!

Instant fix!

Photo Credit: Steven Depolo 

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How to Grow Fruit Trees in Pots

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Most people think that you need to have a big yard, or lots of space to garden to cultivate your own fruit trees. You don’t need to have an entire orchard to grow your own fresh apples! Fruit trees can be planted in pots, and placed anywhere. It doesn’t matter if you only have a small apartment– if you have a small place in the sun, you can grow your own fruit. This guide by ElleThn Brown at Thrifty Fun has more information:

Apples, pears, plums and cherries grow well, as do tender fruits like apricots, citrus, nectarines and peaches. The best containers for growing fruit are those only slightly larger (2-3 inches) than the existing rootball. A good size for most fruits is 18 inches in diameter and at least 16-18 inches deep. ike all container plants, fruit grown in pots need to be fed and watered more often than plants grown in the ground. Start feeding plants a high potassium fertilizer (like pot ash) as fruit starts to develop. Switch to a fertilizer high in nitrogen in late summer.

Photo Credit: RBerteig 

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Herb Garden Don’ts

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Having my own herb garden has always been a dream of mine, but I always put it off until fall or winter, and by then it’s too late and my tiny plants freeze. I’ve always wanted to grow my own fresh basil, oregano, cilantro, and thyme– and to be able to go outside, clip some, and have it at dinner later that night. Waiting too long to plant is obviously one giant DON’T, but The Skinny Gourment blog has some other big no-nos to avoid when starting your own herb garden. Keep it to file away for nest year!

Mistake 1: Growing from seed. When you first start out trying to grow fresh herbs, I recommend you begin by trying to grow from seedlings rather than planting your own seeds.

Mistake 2: Starting with the wrong varieties. I recommend you start by trying to grow fresh basil. It is the perfect trainer herb.

Mistake 3: Watering herbs like houseplants. Instead, water herbs a moderate amount every day. 

Mistake 4: Not cutting early and often. As a novice gardener, it may seem like your puny little plant just isn’t ready for a trip to the barber, but then you will find yourself sitting there wishing for leaves without much success.

Check out her entire post for 6 more tips!

Photo Credit: KateMonkey 

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DIY In-Home Bar

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If you have some extra space in your home– maybe in your basement or even garage, a DIY bar is a great option to add. It instantly adds a party atmosphere and is a Creating one is super easy, too! Check out this idea from Fabulous Home Blog (pictured)! Simply install a large shelf that matches your décor, display your bottle collection, and arrange your glassware to show it off. If you have the budget, you can also add a kitchen island and bar stools to complete the space. The whole set up would be an awesome addition to a man cave or game room!

Photo and Idea from Fabulous Home Blog

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Removing a “Popcorn Ceiling”

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If you live in a home that was built in the 60s-80s, there’s a good chance that you have a stucco (or “popcorn”) ceiling. While this may have been the “in” design at the time, today many homeowners are turned off by the out of date feel. So, whether you’re trying to make your older home more appealing to new buyers, or if you just want a fresh look for your ceiling, the DIYNetwork has a solution for you. And fortunately, removing the popcorn look is a pretty easy process:

First of all, prepare your room and be safe: If the popcorn was added before 1979, get it tested for asbestos by either wetting down a small area with a sponge and scraping off a little to place in a small bag, or by having a professional come out and test it. 

Then, spray the ceiling: Use a basic garden sprayer to wet down the ceiling. This will soften the ceiling texture and help to break down the adhesive bond making scraping easier

Finally, scrape the “popcorn” off with a putty knife.

Photo Credit: Roskvape 

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How to Avoid Leaving Brush Strokes when Painting Furniture

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One of the most difficult parts of home improvement can be painting. If you’re not naturally artistically inclined, painting can be a challenge. You have to worry about drips, spills, paint bubbles, and keeping up with an even coat. One of the biggest problems that novice painters face is leaving brush strokes. If you’re painting walls, you will most like use a roller and you don’t have to worry, but for smaller projects like furniture, brush strokes can be hard to navigate. Painted Furniture Ideas has a list of tips to make your job easier:

  1. Add Floetrol
  2. Use a High Quality Brush
  3. Longer Bristles = Better
  4. Work in Sections
  5. Try a Roller
  6. Sand down spots with brush strokes

Photo Credit: Bev Sykes

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Easy Ways to Update Your Kitchen

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If you’re looking for a fresh look in your kitchen, but don’t have a lot of extra cash, worry not! There are lots of options for updating your room that won’t break the bank. You also won’t need to pull off any major wall-breaking, floor-ripping-up renovations. Jaci Moore at Homemade By Jaci gives us some ideas for an easy, quick kitchen “face lift”:

  1. Add/Change Out Knobs or Pulls
  2. Add a Back-splash
  3. Paint Your Cabinets
  4. Paint the Walls, or Add an Accent Wall
  5. Get a Fun New Pantry Door
  6. New Faucet/Lighting Features

Photo Credit: Ryan Holst 

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