Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 311)

fall mums
Gardening

Fall Mums: How to Care for Autumn’s Hardy, Colorful Blooms

If planted at the right time and tended properly, these pretty, cool-season flowers can live longer than you think.

DeWalt Staple Gun
Tools

Is the DeWalt Staple Gun the King of Tacking?

From fabric to wood and staples to brads, the DeWalt staple gun does it all. But can it live up to the hype?

Man working in the greenhouse. Shallow DOF. Developed from RAW; retouched with special care and attention; Small amount of grain added for best final impression. 16 bit Adobe RGB color profile.Man working in the greenhouse. Shallow DOF. Developed from RAW; retouched with special care and attention; Small amount of grain added for best final impression. 16 bit Adobe RGB color profile.
Gardening

When to Pick Tomatoes for the Best-Tasting Homegrown Produce

Harvest your tomatoes at the perfect stage of ripeness for the best flavor and maximum shelf life.

14 Surprising Places Where Mold Hides in the Home
Mold & Mildew

14 Surprising Places Where Mold Hides in the Home

One of the most common living organisms in the world may have taken up residence in your home, and you may not even know it. Mold—the common name for thousands of different types of fungi—can grow wherever moisture and organic matter are present, and that's not great news. Aside from being unsightly, mold can be downright dangerous. Indeed, according to the Centers for Disease Control, “Molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation." Not only that, but people with allergies or certain types of respiratory illnesses are especially vulnerable to the ill effects of mold. Even worse, mold can grow just about anywhere there is moisture, even in places you can't see or don't typically even think about cleaning. Here are just a few hiding places where mold might be lurking in your home.

masking tape vs painter's tape
Painting & Finishing

Masking Tape vs. Painter’s Tape: Selecting the Right Supply for Your Painting Project

Quality brushes and rollers are just some of the supplies that help create a professional paint finish. The wrong tape could ruin the look of your room.

19 Insanely Creative DIY Shelving Ideas
Storage

19 Insanely Creative DIY Shelving Ideas

These inspiring DIY shelves are easy to make, and many of them repurpose around-the-house items that would otherwise be destined for the landfill.

Why is My Flashlight Not Working
Tools

Solved! Why is My Flashlight Not Working?

Shine a light on those malfunctioning flashlight parts that are leaving you in the dark.

how to get rid of thrips
Garden Pests

How To: Get Rid of Thrips

These tiny pests can wreak havoc on plants. Here’s how to get rid of them.

how to sell on facebook marketplace
DIY

9 Secrets for Successfully Selling Your Stuff on Facebook Marketplace

Maximize your profits and get rid of your stuff as quickly as possible with these tips and tricks. 

standing desk converter review
Furniture & Decor

Bring Ergonomics to Your Home Office with This Standing Desk Converter—Your Back will Thank You

Sitting down on the job for too long can cause your back to quit on you. Give your spine a break with this standing desk converter.

how to find a hole in an air mattress
Repair & Maintenance

Solved! How to Find a Hole in an Air Mattress

Locate a leak in an air mattress with these tried-and-true methods, and stop waking up on the hard floor or refilling the mattress in the wee hours of the morning. 

well water
Buying

5 Things to Know When Buying a House with Well Water

Make the transition to a well water system easier by learning what to expect when buying a house with well water.

lux vs lumens
Lighting & Electrical

Lux vs. Lumens: Learn the Lingo to Choose Your Next Lighting

Watts may be the traditional way to choose lighting, but perhaps surprisingly this measurement doesn't indicate brightness. Lux and lumens are the new standards, but just what do they mean?

Gutter Cleaning Tool
Tools

Clean Your Gutters a Cinch with The Gutter Cleaning Tool

Cleaning gutters isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. Make the job easier with this high-quality, well-designed gutter cleaning tool.

Weber Grill Cover
Grills

Is There Really a Grill Cover That Fits Well, Won’t Fade, and Keeps a Grill Dry? Yes!

Durable construction that holds up to the elements and a tailored fit make this Weber grill cover ideal for Weber grill owners.

19 Places with (Almost) Zero Crime
Real Estate

19 Places with (Almost) Zero Crime

Looking to relocate? Consider settling down in one of 2021's safest cities in the U.S.

18 Ways You’re Accidentally Wasting Energy
Energy & Power

18 Ways You’re Accidentally Wasting Energy

You turn off lights when you leave a room, combine errands to stretch a tank of gas, and run only full loads in your dishwasher. Yet even if you're following the basics of home energy conservation, whether to save the earth or just save some cash, there's still more you could be doing. In fact, chances are you still have a few bad energy habits that are leading to higher utility costs. Here are just a few ways you may be unintentionally wasting energy—and a few recommendations for changing your habits and lowering your bills.

Interior Storm Windows - Installation
Energy & Power

Interior Storm Windows Save Homeowners Money in Two Ways

An affordable alternative to window replacement, interior storm windows, also known as window inserts, allow homeowners to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and air conditioning costs without making aesthetic sacrifices.

15 Plants That Attract Dragonflies
Gardening

15 Plants That Attract Dragonflies

Beckon these fanciful flyers to your outdoor space for major mosquito control.

does copper rust
Cleaning

Solved! Does Copper Rust?

Copper is used in all kinds of things from pans to ornaments to electrical connections, and one of its big advantages is that it doesn’t rust…or does it?