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Lovely as they are, apple trees are not a plant-it-and-forget-it addition to your garden. That’s because many insect pests love them, and these plants are prone to getting several diseases. Years of beauty and juicy fruit can still be yours, but keeping your apple tree healthy and full of fruit takes regular maintenance. Here’s what to watch out for and how to deal with it. Your apple tree has three kinds of enemies: Fungal diseases, bugs, and bacteria....

Editor’s Tip: Natural fabrics, such as cotton, muslin, and linen accept dye best. Experiment with fabric folding and rubber band techniques. Roll into a spiral for a traditional tie-dye look, gather into tufts for a bull’s-eye effect, or fold into a square for a checkered pattern.

Many of the plants at your local garden center may be grafted. For example, many hybrid roses are grafted so they grow on the roots of a tougher variety of rose. This helps them stand up to tough conditions and bloom more vigorously. Likewise, most fruit trees are grafted onto a smaller variety’s roots. This keeps the trees more compact and vigorous. Plants trained as standards, or tree forms, are also usually grafted onto the trunk of another plant....

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup shortening 4 tablespoon cold water Lightened Pastry for Single-Crust Pie, Butter-flavored shortening also works well in this recipe.

Designed to be family-friendly, the 7,600-square-foot house has five bedrooms and five baths. “We put in extra effort to make every inch of the house usable,” Visser says. “And because we also spent a lot of time perfecting details and paying attention to crafting, we achieved a nice balance of form and function. The house is attractive, sure, but it’s also incredibly versatile.” The residential designer trimmed the paneled wall in the living room to echo the curve of the piano, positioned at the floor-to-ceiling windows....

It might look like a job for a pro, but it’s surprisingly simple. With help from a partner and our easy-to-follow steps, you can complete this DIY plywood wall in a weekend. The unique accent wall will be the perfect blank slate for midcentury-modern design or a nature-inspired living room. How to Make a Plywood Accent Wall This DIY plywood accent wall is easier than it looks. Plus, the plywood boards are accessible at most hardware stores....

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup shortening 4 tablespoon water Maple Whipped Cream 1 cup whipping cream 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 egg, beaten 1 ¼ cup soft French or Italian bread crumb ¼ cup finely chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried oregano or dried thyme, crushed ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 pound lean ground beef Reheating and Serving: Reheating and Serving: Thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator, if necessary. Place meatballs on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 4 inches from the heat about 5 minutes or until heated through, turning once....

2 cup chopped peeled tomatillos (about 5) 2 peeled and seeded avocados 1 cup snipped fresh cilantro leaves ½ cup chopped onion (1 medium) 1 seeded and chopped fresh jalapeno chile pepper ½ water ⅓ lime juice ¼ teaspoon salt

Get all the details on Bless’er House. Seventh House on the Left Get all the details at Bugaboo City. Get all the details at The Art of Doing Stuff. Get all the details at Cherished Bliss. Get all the details at One Horse Lane. Get all the details at Elizabeth Bixler Designs. Get all the details at The Rozy Home. Get all the details at Storefront Life. Get all the details at Simplicity in the South....

“Although the homeowners are retired, she especially is a dynamo,” designer Colette van den Thillart says. “She wanted to mix it up in ways she hadn’t in the past. She was looking for a chic, slightly younger vibe.” While that meant leaving existing soft furnishings behind, it didn’t translate into abandoning meaningful pieces of the past. “They had a house full of antiques,” Van den Thillart says. “We did an inventory and kept things that were important....

Tip: For year-round access, use thick cedar treads on the stairs that can handle occasional winter salt. Tip: Create a uniform look using the same materials throughout the space. Here, marble windowsills match the kitchen countertops. Tip: Add character and save money with DIY features. Each flower-shaped cabinet knob in the kitchen was handmade. Tip: Get a built-in look for less. The refrigerator is an inexpensive model with a faux-steel front tucked in a surround made of salvaged cypress....