House Digest - Home Improvement, Design, DIY, & Celebrity Interviews

When Vinegar Isn't Working, Use This Bathroom Staple To Repel Rats From Your Garden

staff@housedigest.com (Tyler Palicia) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 21:30:00 +0000

If you've tried vinegar to keep rats out of your garden without success, don't worry. There's another household item you can use to make a slippery deterrent.

Concrete Blocks Can Do More Than Hold Back Soil In The Garden

staff@housedigest.com (Katharine Hansen) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:30:00 +0000

Concrete blocks are often used to build retaining walls, but the ability to hold back large amounts of soil make them perfect for another gardening purpose.

Keep It Simple: Efficiently Cut Retaining Wall Blocks With A Low-Tech Tool In Your Shed Already

staff@housedigest.com (Annette Hird) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Cutting retaining wall blocks doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor with pricey power tools. You can do it with some basic gadgets you likely already own.

Use A Functional, Cheap Material To Mold Concrete For Planters

staff@housedigest.com (Meadow St. Clair) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Concrete planters come in all shapes and sizes - and costs. Luckily, you can DIY your own concrete planters, and add a decorative flair using this as a mold.

Use This Bathroom Staple To Deter Garden Rodents Without Chemicals

staff@housedigest.com (R. A. Fletcher) — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 23:30:00 +0000

A common bathroom product is sometimes recommended as a garden animal repellent, but its limited staying power means other methods may still be necessary.

She Buries Overripe Banana Peels In The Garden: Game Changer Or Raccoon Bait?

staff@housedigest.com (Annette Hird) — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:30:00 +0000

Burying bananas might seem like a smart idea, but there are better ways to get nutrients into the soil, with fewer chances of attracting unwanted visitors.

Skip The Basic Plant Ties And Use This Common Household Waste Instead

staff@housedigest.com (Annette Hird) — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:30:00 +0000

A common item headed for the trash could become a garden essential, offering a soft, flexible way to support growing plants while cutting down on waste.

If You Like Butterflies, Think Twice About Removing This Nasty Weed From Your Yard

staff@housedigest.com (Katy Willis) — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:30:00 +0000

This is a pesky weed that spreads aggressively without a doubt, but it's also a crucial plant to attract butterflies. Here's how to grow it safely.

8 Common Garden Pests Who Avoid Rosemary & 6 That Love It

staff@housedigest.com (Katy Willis) — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:20:00 +0000

If you're growing rosemary in your garden, it pays to know which pests it will repel and which it will attract. From beetles to mites, here's what to expect.

Turn Common Household Waste Into A DIY Dust Bath That Birds Will Love

staff@housedigest.com (Meadow St. Clair) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:30:00 +0000

Did you know many birds use dust to bathe in along with water? What's more, one ingredient in DIY baths is a waste material your home may already have.

Garden Pruners Can Do A Lot More Than Tackle Your Plants

staff@housedigest.com (Bob Beacham) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Garden pruners can do more than cut back plants. They're a versatile alternative to scissors for many tasks in the yard, home, and workshop.

Use This Spicy Scent To Help Deter Wasps From Your Yard

staff@housedigest.com (Annette Hird) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Wasps might be good for the environment, but they're not so good when it comes to hosting your friends outside. Here's how to keep them away.

Turn Concrete Blocks And A Trash Can Lid Into A Cheaper DIY Bird Bath

staff@housedigest.com (Meadow St. Clair) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:10:00 +0000

If you've been wondering what to do with those spare concrete blocks you have sitting in a pile, consider trying this budget DIY to try for your backyard birds.

Move Over, Plastic Plant Labels: There's A Durable, Eco-Friendly Option

staff@housedigest.com (Taylor Freitas) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Organization is key to keeping your plants' sunlight, water, and feeding needs in order. For plant labels, there's another way other than the plastic type.

How To Dry Out Damp Bird Seed With A Simple But Overlooked Solution

staff@housedigest.com (Heather Ayer) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

If your bird seed is damp (not soaked), it might be possible to dry it out. But before you reach for paper towel, there's another home remedy to consider first.

Goodbye Bamboo Stakes: This Sturdier Alternative Won't Crack, Split, Or Rot

staff@housedigest.com (Jennifer M. McNeill) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Bamboo stakes can crack or rot making them a temporary solution for supporting plants. However, this material is rust-proof, durable, and long lasting.

How To Repel Aphids Using Herbs They Can't Stand

staff@housedigest.com (Nancy Schaffer) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Outside of soup broth, you can use these two tropical culinary herbs to repel aphids from gardens. They work when grown in the garden or when used in a spray.

Goodbye Stubborn Weeds: Pull Deep Roots Quickly With A Tool You Already Own

staff@housedigest.com (Charlotte D. Miller) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:30:00 +0000

Weeds might be an eyesore on the surface of your lawn, but dealing with their roots so they don't pop back up is another story. This simple tool can help.

How To Give Overfertilized Petunias A Second Chance At Blooming

staff@housedigest.com (Andrea Crowley-Hughes) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:30:00 +0000

If your petunias aren't blooming and there's crust on the soil, they may be overfertilized. Here's how to get them back into healthy shape.

Can You Really Use Dryer Sheets To Help Deter Mosquitoes?

staff@housedigest.com (Sarah Grossbart) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Dryer sheets help make your clothes soft and smell good. That scent is what is the supposed key to turning mosquitoes away. But does this hack hold water?