Ask the Builder: Vessel sink planning and installation
I installed a stunning vessel sink two weeks ago at my son’ s house. We’...
Home and Garden
Do it yourself or not? Build a retaining wall
Today you’ ll find a variety of materials that can make up a retaining wall...
Do It Yourself or Not? Replace gutters
Rain water provides a nice soaking for a growing lawn and garden, but when it...
Garden Q&A: What is affecting these dahlia leaves?
These look like the symptoms of a viral infection.
Hot Property: Pasadena home with privacy is ideal for entertaining
Set on nearly 4 acres of oaks and pines, at the end of a cul-de-sac,...
How one gardener’s neighbors shared their land to help her start a flower business
By JESSICA DAMIANO When Marisa Mender-Franklin walks through any of the nine flower farms she...
Garden Q&A: A dainty, tough perennial for a living bouquet
What native perennial would you suggest for a drier, sunny spot that doesn’t get too...
Ask the Builder: Cleaning and sealing exterior wood
Two weeks ago, I was cleaning the top and bench seats of one of 10...
Ask the Builder: Septic tank magic — sewers too!
I’m willing to bet you an Aglamesis two-step hot-fudge sundae made with mocha-chip ice cream...
How to get rid of ants: A room-by-room, step-by-step guide
No Contract Pest Solutions reports a comprehensive guide to eliminating ants, emphasizing identification and targeted...
Ask Angi: Why this is an important time to inspect your trees
Summer isn't just the season for backyard barbecues and outdoor projects. It's also one of...
How to test your lawn for grubs and what to do if you find them
By JESSICA DAMIANO What does it mean when brown patches show up in a perfectly...
On Gardening: A Luscious Vanilla Breeze will debut next year
If you’ve been looking for a plump 24- to 30-inch-tall-and-wide white lantana, then you are...
On Gardening: Heart to Heart Lemon Blush stuns with a rare spring return
Many of you are familiar with the term "surprise lilies." This name is mostly attributed...
New antiques and gift shop coming to Bel Air’s Main Street
Rocky's on Main Mercantile & Antiques — named after a chocolate Labrador beloved by Michael...
Garden Q&A: What black bugs are on my perennials?
I suspect you’re seeing an oval insect between an eighth and a quarter of an...
Hot Property: $1.3M Ellicott City home on nearly 7 acres has pool, hot tub
Exposed timbers mark the kitchen and family room, where built-in cherry shelves, a gas stove...
Here are the secrets to furnishing your home cheaply with Facebook Marketplace
Learn the joys of treasure hunting for second-hand decor – and saving money.
New plants join Maryland’s naughty list: invasive and prohibited
The key to success is to "replace invasive plants with competitive native plant species that...
Hot Property: Waterfront home in Middle River features dock, elevator
The home is huge, with more than 8,000 square feet of living space. There are...
Three homeowners who scored lower mortgage rates — and how they did it
Buying a home is just as much about life’s circumstances as it is about math....
Garden Q&A: Why Are my shrubs getting pale leaves?
Damaged leaves can’t heal, but if the symptoms aren’t worsening or appearing on new growth,...
Do It Yourself or Not? Replace a fence gate
A gated fence encloses a home and yard, creating a sense of privacy and security.
Ask Angi: How can homeowners save money when moving in summer?
Summer is the busiest time of year for moving. Families often plan relocations around school...
Ask Angi: How can homeowners handle summer heat?
Record-breaking temperatures aren't just hard on people — they can also put added stress on...
Do It Yourself or Not? Install an octagon window
Is a wall in your home in a tight spot where light is needed? The...
Do It Yourself or Not? Build a board and batten fence
The board and batten fence in our townhouse community conceals a large dumpster used by...
Ask the Builder: Decide what products and materials you’ll need while you plan
A few days ago I drove through Franconia Notch on the west side of the...
What is the 28/36 rule for home affordability?
“How much house can I afford?” That’s the first question prospective homebuyers should ask themselves....
On Gardening: This fuchsia is a gardener game changer
The Garden Guy is dedicating this column to a fuchsia; so many of you are...
A gardener’s guide to 5 orchids that mimic animals, insects and even a naked man
By JESSICA DAMIANO Like most gardeners, I occasionally stumble upon fruits and flowers that resemble...
So you want to create a hummingbird habitat? Here’s how.
Birding experts explain all the many ways to attract the tiny charmers to your yard.
The risks of waiting too long to harvest garden vegetables
By JESSICA DAMIANO We sowed. We planted. We watered, watched and waited. And now, beanstalks...
Hot Property: Westminster home offers pool and luxurious primary suite
The primary suite has a gas fireplace, sitting area, its own washer/dryer, an ample walk-in...
Garden Q&A: What is causing my beech to decline?
There is no DIY solution, but residents can hire a certified arborist or licensed tree...
Do It Yourself or Not? Texture paint a ceiling
Texture is an attractive way to add interest and dimension to an otherwise flat surface....
Ask Angi: How can I lower my energy bills in the summer?
Energy bills have a way of sneaking up on homeowners in the summer. You turn...
Ask the Builder: Time tested tile tips for backsplashes
I’ ve had the enormous pleasure over the past months to pass down hard-earned knowledge...
Ask the Builder: How not to lose your money and marbles
I started writing this syndicated column in October 1993. My goal back then was, as...
Are spotted lanternflies on the decline in Maryland? Scientists can’t agree.
Spotted lanternflies are shifting their populations across the state because of increased predators and effective...
Hot Property: Edgewater estate offers front-row view of the 5th green
Not all upscale homes in Anne Arundel County have shorelines and docks. This manor house...
Garden Q&A: What’s chewing leaves?
The list of candidates for mystery leaf- or petal-chewers is pretty long in midsummer, and...
Do It Yourself or Not? Replace a rural mailbox
A handyman will replace an old mailbox with a new rural mailbox for $362, which...
3 traps the mortgage industry doesn’t want you to know about — and how to avoid them
Buying a home is an exhilarating and exhausting process, one that tests the wits and...
Use these 3 kitchen scraps to garden
I come from a long line of farmers on both sides of my family. All...
On Gardening: Next year’s garden will be Forged in Fire
No plant has been more enjoyable in The Garden Guy’s trials than the Forged in...
Aberdeen weighs accessory dwelling unit rules ahead of state deadline
City planners are still sorting out how much local control they'll keep as Aberdeen rewrites...
Hot Property: Rustic Reisterstown estate was once owned by ex-Ravens coach Brian Billick
The 5-bedroom, 6-bath Reisterstown home, set on a heavily wooded 61-acre tract, was once owned...
Ask the Builder: A clever plumbing access panel solution
I had the most interesting experience in the past few days. Within hours of first...
How to sell a house without a Realtor — and what to know first
Selling your home on your own, without the help of a real estate agent, can...
Ask the Builder: How’s your honey-do list coming along?
The honey-do list at my home never seems to get smaller. Each time I complete...
9 ingenious ways to add bonus shade to your backyard this summer
Now is the time to enjoy spending time at your home al fresco. Just picture...
Ask Angi: What should homeowners know before pest problems start?
Most homeowners don’t think much about pests until they spot one in the kitchen, hear...
Garden Q&A: What’s buzzing over my lawn?
Two types of large bugs have been buzzing over my lawn and flower beds recently,...
Who says a vegetable garden needs full sun? Some plants do well in shadier spots
By JESSICA DAMIANO Conventional wisdom says vegetable gardens need full sun, but a productive garden...
Once dismissed as weeds, native plants are now flying off the shelves
Grist reports native plants, once seen as weeds, are now in high demand, with sales...
On Gardening: Let the good times roll with Superbells Double Mardi Gras
When Superbells calibrachoas made their debut, no one could have imagined where we would be...
On Gardening: Extraordinary beauty from Dawn to Dusk
The weather pattern going into early July was nothing short of brutal, and I hope...
Ask Angi: How can I upgrade my outdoor space on a budget?
Now that summer is in full swing, your outdoor space may need some extra attention....
Prefab housing builders seek to show their stuff in LA fire recovery
Inside a factory alongside Interstate 5 in the San Joaquin Valley, a forklift delivered a...
Do It Yourself or Not? Install a skylight
Take advantage of Mother Nature by installing a skylight or roof window, and bring natural...
Garden Q&A: What’s spotting my black-eyed Susan?
For now, pick off the worst of the infected leaves and discard them (do not...
Garden Q&A: What’s causing my coneflowers to have weird, deformed blooms?
These look like the symptoms of Aster Yellows, a disease caused by a type of...
Young entrepreneurs to run businesses at Hampstead Youth Farmers’ Market
Entrepreneurs aged 5-17 will sell handmade goods and learn business skills at the third annual...
Ask Angi: What are some quick and easy ways I can refresh my kitchen?
Your kitchen is one of the most used and important rooms in your home, but...
Garden Q&A: How do I water effectively?
Fortunately, the best monitoring tool is the simplest – stick a finger in the ground.
Ask the Builder: The reality of a big DIY project
Are you thinking of rolling up your sleeves so you can complete a large DIY...
Do It Yourself or Not? Install a flagpole
So if you’re considering installing a flagpole on your property, a good choice is a...
How newly minted millionaires could reshape San Francisco home design
The explosion of wealth that will follow a handful of history’ s biggest initial public...
Baltimore’s Best home & garden: 2026 winners
The poll includes more than 600 winners in nearly 170 categories in six areas —...
On Gardening: Rockin Blue Suede Shoes provides valuable nectar from spring through frost
There is supposedly an unwritten rule in the plant breeding world: If the new plant...
A soothing cup of herbal tea can begin in your garden
By JESSICA DAMIANO Drink a fragrant cup of herbal tea, and the intoxicating scent of...
On Gardening: Giant Lone Star is a heavenly hosta
As a card-carrying member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, I couldn’t wait...
The best and worst cities for home flipping in 2026
PropertyReach reports on the best and worst cities for home flipping in 2026, highlighting profitable...
Garden Q&A: What could replace cherry laurel?
We definitely overplant cherry laurel and while a substitute shrub isn’t going to look exactly...
Do It Yourself or Not? Replace a dishwasher
We didn’t realize how much we used our dishwasher until it stopped working because it’s...
Ask the Builder: An alternative blacktop patching method
You may have an asphalt or blacktop driveway as I do. Mine was installed 25...
Ask the Builder: Invest in advice before you sign a contract
I saved a single mom $15,000 a few days ago. She and I were both...
Ask Angi: How can homeowners keep their air conditioner running efficiently this summer?
As temperatures rise and summer settles in, many homeowners are relying on their air conditioning...
On Gardening: There is Pink Cloud in the garden and it’s beautiful!
Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud petunia is having its debut year -- or, thanks to...
Ask Angi: How can homeowners make the most of their deck or porch this summer?
In the summer, decks and porches quickly become some of the most-used spaces around the...
5 tomato superstars for a mouthwatering summer harvest
Some are great for salads, sandwiches and sauce.
The AP’s gardening expert has a list of 10 top-performing new plants for this season
AP gardening columnist Jessica Damiano tested sample plants last year.
Garden Q&A: What felled this tree?
Look for a root wrapped around part of the trunk base, which probably started to...
Gadgets: Great tools for your yard
You would be hard-pressed to find a professional landscaper who doesn’t use STIHL gas-powered equipment,...
The 7 best summer home improvement projects to cross off your list
Whether it’ s lightening up meals, opening windows and letting in fresh air, or swapping...
Ask Angi: Should I hire movers or DIY my move?
If you have a move coming up, you know one of the biggest decisions is...
The sleep upgrade trend: Why small bedroom changes can have a big impact on rest
Sleepyhead reports that small bedroom changes can significantly enhance sleep quality, addressing issues like temperature,...
On Gardening: Austin Pretty Limits will have you two-stepping in the garden
If you’ve got sun and want a touch of the tropics and baskets full of...
What is a reverse mortgage?
A reverse mortgage allows homeowners who meet age requirements to borrow against your home’s equity...
Ask Angi: What should homeowners know before roofing problems start?
Your roof is easy to forget about — until something goes wrong. But by the...
Do It Yourself or Not? Replace a storm door
A typical aluminum storm door is designed to protect an entry door from weather damage...
Do It Yourself or Not? Replace a garage door
A new garage door is designed for its good looks, safety features and efficient and...
7 in 10 homeowners delayed repairs last year. That could cost 4x more in 2026
The Roofer Bros Construction reports 71% of homeowners delayed repairs last year, risking costs that...
Garden Q&A: What beetle is this in my vegetable plot?
It sounds like you’re seeing cucumber beetles, which are greenish or golden-yellow in color with...
Flower gardens endure hot, dry summers better if you choose these plants
We can equip our gardens to weather hot, dry stretches under a scorching sun.
Gardeners often hear about supposed hacks and quick fixes. Here are some common ones debunked
Social media is full of hacks and quick fixes that do more harm than good.
On Gardening: Heart to Heart Chinook named ‘Caladium of the Year’
The Garden Guy surfed the web and stumbled across a photo you most likely have...
Wetlands Golf Course in Aberdeen closes after 37 years, could become housing development
The proposed housing development could bring over 800 residential units along Gilbert Road in Aberdeen.
Design Recipes: Home styling tips
Styling a home is less about the big pieces and more about the final touches,...