Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 311)

Bad Neighbors: 11 Plant Pairs Never to Grow Side by Side
Gardening

Bad Neighbors: 11 Plant Pairs Never to Grow Side by Side

As many a green thumb knows, there are certain plants you should never grow together. Some plants hog all the sunlight, others zap nutrients from the soil, and still others spread disease. A bad plant pairing can doom a garden bed to failure. So, whether you’re cultivating a vegetable garden or working toward a great-looking landscape, here are 11 "bad neighbor" plants that should never be grown together.

15 Cleaners That Can Do the Most Damage
Cleaning

15 Cleaners That Can Do the Most Damage

These trusty cleaning products might do a good job getting rid of stains, dirt, and germs, but it's important to know about their damaging effects on your house and health if you use them too much.

Types of Wood House Siding
Curb Appeal

Types of Wood Siding: Your Guide to 5 Popular Home Cladding Options

Style preferences, geographic location, and project budget should drive your selection of a wood siding product for your home.

Types of Woodworking Vises
Workshop

Woodworking Vise Guide

Get a grip on the several different types of woodworking vises available for your workbench, each with its own virtues and drawbacks.

best time to trim trees
Landscaping

Solved! When is the Best Time to Trim Trees for Proper Maintenance?

The prime time for tree trimming isn’t what you think.

The Best AeroGarden Options
Lawn, Garden & Pool

The Best AeroGarden to Bring Your Garden Indoors

Make indoor gardening easy with these convenient, hydroponic gardens from AeroGarden for growing fresh herbs, veggies, and more.

rattan vs wicker
Furniture & Decor

Rattan vs. Wicker: What’s the Difference?

Rattan and wicker furnishings can give your home’s decor a modern, natural vibe. Before you rush out and buy some on-trend pieces, first learn what these two terms really mean. 

10 Kayak Storage Ideas for Taking Back Your Garage
Garages

10 Kayak Storage Ideas for Taking Back Your Garage

Big and awkward when not gracefully gliding in the water, kayaks tend to take up more room in the garage than anticipated. Check out these kayak storage ideas to help free up space and keep things tidy.

Mineral Spirits vs Paint Thinner
Painting & Finishing

What’s the Difference? Mineral Spirits vs Paint Thinner

Brush up on the differences between these two oft-confused solvents before tackling your next painting to-do.

How to Use Your Oven Drawer
Appliances

Solved! What is the Drawer Under the Oven For?

Learn about the various possible purposes of the drawer under a gas or electric oven—and put it to good use in your kitchen.

4 Trees with White Bark
Landscaping

6 Trees with White Bark for a Beautiful Landscape All Year Long

In search of a tree that looks good all year long? Colorful leaves come and go, but white tree bark is striking no matter the season.

14 Ways You’re Wasting Money on Your Car
Garages

14 Ways You’re Wasting Money on Your Car

Are you spending more money than necessary to maintain and run your car? We're compiled a list of 14 common auto maintenance practices that are real money-wasters that you can stop doing immediately. Your car is expensive enough already!

The Best Combination Square Options
Tools & Materials

The Best Combination Squares for Your Workshop

A combination square is a single tool, but it’s versatile enough to use for all kinds of marking, measuring, and leveling tasks. Explore the different varieties to select the best combination square for your workshop.

Begonia Care
Gardening

All You Need to Know About Begonia Care

Enjoy this gardening favorite's vibrant blooms from late spring through fall when you follow these tips for proper care.

Grass and Clover on Cedar Chips Larger
Lawn & Garden

6 Things to Know About Cedar Mulch

Can the cedar that protects clothes also protect your plants? Try it in the garden, and see what happens when the chips are down.

17 Parts of Your Home You Never Knew Had Names
Interior Design

17 Parts of Your Home You Never Knew Had Names

Your house is made up of walls, windows, floors, doors... and a bunch of other thingamajigs and whatsits. Here, a slew of architectural mysteries solved!

The Best Deck Resurfacer Options
Tools & Materials

The Best Deck Resurfacers to Refinish Your Outdoor Space

Replacing decking is an expensive and backbreaking endeavor. Breathe new life into that old deck with the best deck resurfacer.

20 Tips for Keeping All Critters Out of Your Yard and Garden
Garden Pests

20 Tips for Keeping All Critters Out of Your Yard and Garden

An enjoyable afternoon spent working in the garden, a lovely evening relaxing in the yard: the exterior of your home provides plenty of opportunities to recharge your batteries while soaking in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, a wide variety of unwanted critters—including insects, rodents, and other trouble-making animals—also are drawn to your yard, and they aren’t there to help with the gardening. These visitors are generally in search of a meal or a home of their own, and they don’t care how much backyard mess and destruction they create in the process. While you’ll never be able to block 100% of outdoor pests, the following tips will help you greatly reduce 20 of the most common uninvited visitors.

How to Apply the Dry Brush Technique
Workshop

How To: Apply the Dry Brush Technique

Spruce up your plain wooden furniture with this beautiful, barely there paint finish.

Hyde Dust-Free Sponge Sander - Sanding Wood
Workshop

The Secret to Sanding Almost Anything—Without All the Dust

The right tools and techniques are all you need to give your walls and wood surfaces a smooth finish—without the worry of a dusty aftermath.