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Gardening

Now Is the Best Time to Fertilize Fruit Trees for Huge Harvests—How to Do It Like a Pro

Even in northern climates, homeowners can grow some of the most popular fruit trees in their own backyards, including pear, peach, plum, cherry, and apple trees. But for success in growing fruit trees, you will need to plan carefully and maintain them properly. Good planning will take into consideration the mature height of the tree so that it does not interfere with buildings, power lines, etc. Ensuring full sun and good drainage are two other aspects of sound site election. Once you have planted your fruit tree, supplying it with sufficient irrigation and fertilizer are two of the more important maintenance tasks. In this article, you will learn why, when, and how to fertilize fruit trees. Why Fertilize Fruit Trees? There are three reasons to fertilize fruit trees: For superior quantity in fruit production For superior quality in fruit production For the overall growth and health of the tree Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Is It Absolutely Necessary to Fertilize Fruit Trees? No, there are exceptions. If you are growing a fruit tree in soil that is already extremely fertile (have it tested to learn if it is lacking any nutrients), you may not have to fertilize until that fertility is depleted. When to Fertilize Your Fruit Tree Getting the timing right is very important when fertilizing fruit trees: The best time to fertilize fruit trees is in spring. Wait until about a week before the last frost date for your region. Fertilizing before that may result in a spurt of growth that will only be damaged by the frost. If you forget to fertilize in spring, the second best time to fertilize is in early summer. The worst time that you can fertilize fruit trees is in late summer or early fall. Fertilizing at this time would only promote new growth that will be killed when cold temperatures return. Do not fertilize a fruit tree at the same time as you are planting it. Wait till 3 weeks after planting , then you can lightly fertilize it with a chemical fertilizer. If you want to be ultra-careful, fertilize it with compost, instead.1 If your apple tree or pear tree is mature enough that it is bearing fruit, apply boron to it every three years.2 Have Your Soil Tested To have a soil test performed, you must obtain a small sample of the soil from around the base of your fruit tree. While you can perform the test at home, beginners may prefer to send the sample to their local county extension for a test. The pH level for fruit trees should be between 6 and 6.5. How to Fertilize Your Fruit Tree Don't think that effectively fertilizing a fruit tree is as easy as opening up a bag of fertilizer and pouring some out. Set aside a bit of time so that you can do the job right: Remove grass and weeds from around the tree: If you have any weeds (or grass) growing around your fruit tree, remove them. They will steal some of the fertilizer you will be putting down from your fruit tree. Clear away mulch: If you currently have any mulch around your tree, rake it away to expose the soil surface. For your safety: Wear gloves and goggles. Some fertilizers can irritate the skin or eyes. Obtain the fertilizer: Fertilizers with an NPK of 10-10-10 are widely used for fertilizing fruit trees. Granulated types are easier to work with than others. You don't need to use chemical fertilizers: Organic fertilizers are perfectly acceptable, as long as you are having your soil tested regularly to ensure that it has the nutrients your fruit trees need. Determine how much to apply: Measure the diameter of the fruit tree's trunk. This figure will be used to calculate how much fertilizer to use. Apply 1 pound of fertilizer for every inch of diameter. Common sense comes into play, too: The tree's performance will let you know if you are not using enough. Err on the side of too little. Using too much fertilizer may result in excessive vegetation, which causes the center of the tree to be shaded. The result can be disease (from too little air circulation) and reduced fruit production. Apply the fertilizer: One reason granulated fertilizers are easier to work with is you do not have to mix them with water to apply them. Broadcast the granulated 10-10-10 fertilizer evenly, starting 1 to 2 feet away from the trunk and ending where the tips of the branches extend to (the "drip line"). Rake the fertilizer: Gently rake the fertilizer into the soil. Mulch your fruit tree: Put back the mulch (if any) that you had raked away from the tree. Add new garden mulch to this. Aim to create a 3-inch layer of mulch in all. Keep the mulch 6 inches to a foot away from the base of the tree, depending on the size of the tree. Mulch will not only suppress weeds but also conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Water: Water the area so that the fertilizer will sink into the ground.

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Home Decor

New Wallpaper In The Farmhouse Primary Bathroom Water Closet (And How I Feel About It(!!))

Like the kids’ bath, this bathroom was “done enough” but I always knew that I wanted to add wallpaper to the water closet (i.e. the toilet room). But life had other priorities and I didn’t feel like rushing any more decisions. The room didn’t need it and I have to be careful because I like “stuff” so sometimes it’s better for me to keep the foundations of a house simple so I can style with my fun things without it getting crazy busy or overdesigned. But after two years of living in this bathroom (which I LOVE) I’ve decided that a pattern in this room wouldn’t add much visual clutter (whereas I’ve thought about doing a pattern on the curtains and I think that might be too much and take away from the sereneness of this room). As a reminder, this is what it looks like (when it’s clean) and the floor is really the star – one tone but so much pretty texture and that blue tile is PERFECT. Shout out to Pratt + Larson :) But the water closet was kinda boring, yet fine! It’s just a water closet! But it’s also a missed opportunity. And I figured that the wallpaper installer could do both the kids’ and this room on the same day, so I got motivated all of a sudden. I narrowed it down to this pattern – another tree motif (no one is surprised here – nature motifs have long been my go-to). I love that this pattern has a lot of organic movement without a lot of negative space – i.e. it’s busy but not high contrast since the branches run into each other. I also love the warmth of the “wood” that I knew would work with all our hits of wood and gold in the bathroom. Honestly, I love the blue colorway more, but I was genuinely fearful that I would have too much blue in this bathroom, what with the floors and the shower room being all blue. I was afraid that you’d walk in and it would be overwhelmingly blue. If I’m being honest, I also think I was influenced by people saying “woah, you have a lot of blue in your house” and maybe not wanting to just take my “comfort color” easy route. Which Wallpaper Did I Choose? The green! And when I first walked in I was like, “woah”. As in it felt like a LOT. Now that I’ve gotten used to it, I really like it, but admittedly it is a lot. I think if I could snap my fingers I’d add paneling, our horizontal beadboard up to wainscot height, like in our powder bath, but I’ve got other fish to fry so likely won’t get to that for years if ever. The artwork helps tie in the green with the blue on the floor – I think the undertones are working fine, but maybe not as ideal as they could. All in all, I’m happy, it’s cute/fun, etc, but I didn’t have the same reaction as I have in the kids’ bath (which I think I perfectly nailed the wallpaper color and pattern). When you look at it altogether – with the shower room and pulling the green from the big tree it works together and I’m pleased :) I suppose the narrowness of the room makes it feel a little more overwhelming than I had predicted – like if it were wider and/or we had paneling 40″ up the wall I think it would be better. But I swear I’m not unhappy and have zero inclination to do anything about it, I just think it’s funny how you can be 100% sure about something that once installed is only an 80% love. And that’s ok because it’s just our toilet room (thank goodness).

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Fashion & Beauty

I Tried On All Of The New Boots At Target And These 8 Are My Favorite

I’m clearly no stranger to the joys of Target but after hearing all of the internet chatter about how good their fall boots currently were, naturally, I had to go see myself. A little field research to help give any of you looking the real lowdown:) I have to say before we get any further, Target is doing something pretty special in the comfort department. It’s good, y’all! Oftentimes with affordable shoes, comfort isn’t always the top priority for the maker, just style. Not the situation here. Whether it’s memory foam or just a well-cushioned insole, your feet are going to be happy, thus making you happy. But they’ve really got some awesome styles too (duh) so let me take you throw my thoughts, feelings, and recommendations. Kenzi Tall Western Dress Boots With Memory Foam Insole – $45 Ok, these really took me by surprise. I was very impressed by all of the detailed stitching and how lengthening for the leg they are. Truly so good. There are plenty of more affordable knockoff cowboy boots that are cheesy but these aren’t. They are actually really good and are really comfortable. I’m a big fan of a memory foam insert as previously stated! Will they last as long as a traditional real leather boot? Probably not. But if you take care of them they will definitely last you a good amount of time. Final Verdict: I really do love these and recommend them. I would easily pay more than $45. This is the perfect way to enter into the cowboy boot trend (which is also a classic…win-win) if you’ve been wanting to! Livia Stovepipe Tall Boots – $45 Here’s what I’ll say – These have a really nice shape, are streamlined, but boxy up top. Because of the heel, they feel more like city shoes to me but if you are a heel wearer then you might love that about them! The only real downside is that without care, I’m a little worried they’re a “one-season boot” based on the leather. Jess loved them when she saw the pictures and I do like the shape of the toe. For me they weren’t a “hell yes” but I think it’s mostly based on my lifestyle. Hope Tall Boots – $45 But these guys are a different story! Look at them, SO CUTE. You might know by now that I love an equestrian vibe. Plus, I love the structured front and think it would be so cute on everyone. Oh, and they are so so comfortable. I didn’t buy them but do I need to go back and change that?? So easy to grab and go for the colder seasons and still look so cute (which at times is a challenge when you are all bundled). Rebel Tall Moto Buckle Boots – $50 These are the knockoff motorcycle boots that people are really talking about. I do have to say VERY comfortable. I have wider feet and these are perfect if you also need a little extra width. Plus, (like most of these boots) I was not expecting the cushion that’s provided in these very rough and tough-looking boots. It’s easy to assume that a heavy, affordable boot is going to be well, not that comfortable. Y’all these are really comfortable. Totally recommend. Want a little more edge to your wardrobe? These are a pretty cool and easy way to do that:) Oakley Harness Boots With Memory Foam Insole – $45 These are the Frye knockoffs which I have to say are pretty great. My beef with my vintage Frye boots (that I can’t seem to quit – I never wear them but I’ve had them for 20 years) is how heavy they are – making them pretty uncomfortable. These from Target are lighter-weight and very comfy. Will they last as long as the real deal ones? Nope, but if you want the Frye boot look for FAR less and a lot more comfortable, I can say that I was shocked and impressed by these. Logan Lug Combat Boots With Memory Foam Insole – $40 Speaking of really heavy shoes, that’s one of my problems with traditional Doc Martin’s. Just so heavy. But overall they aren’t really my personal style but are so great on other people whose style they are perfect for. The great thing about these knockoffs is that they are so much lighter than real Doc Martin’s which I love. And you bet the memory foam makes them also very comfortable. Lonnie Kitten Heel Stretch Ankle Boots – $35 If you remember from last fall, I got a VERY cute pair of Madewell tan kitten heel boots that I wore all of the time. Those ones ran about $200. So when I saw these for only $35 I was very interested. They are really cute, have that class dainty kitten heel look, really lengthen the leg with that pointed toe, are comfortable, and simply just great. Nothing negative! Oh, but one important thing to note is that they tuck really nicely into jeans. The jean/boot combo dream:) Mona Rain Boots – $30 Oh man, if they had had my size I would’ve probably snagged these! So great for the rainy weather that’s coming and perfect for the farm. They didn’t feel too heavy and the quality was great for a rainboot. Ugh, I might need to order them online as I’m pretty sure I just talked myself into them. Cute but very practical. Ok! Eight great, affordable boots (some I preferred more than others) that could help you get through fall and winter a little more stylish (if you are in the market). Happy boot shopping!

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Fashion & Beauty

My New Cut and Color. Help.

In my 20’s I dressed like a hipster clown, and generally the reaction was ‘only you could pull that off.’ But I really think that I did. Were my parents mortified when, at my brothers college graduation, I mixed a red sequin tube top with an oversized camo shirt (tied in a cute knot) and a knee length, home-made, preppy blue and white polka dot skirt? YES. Years later they copped to being embarrassed. And maybe that one was too far, but generally I took risks, was super on-trend, and gave zero effs because I had no money. I couldn’t experiment too much artistically in my tiny apartment, so I put all that creative expression onto my body. My story isn’t unique – you are more creative and risky when you don’t need to look very professional. The higher up you get in a career the more you want to be taken seriously, which means dressing less ‘totally unhinged’ and more controlled. Don’t get me wrong, I like ‘my style’ but I’m going through a bit of a mid-blog crisis, and after years of playing it kinda safe with hair/makeup/fashion I’m ready to be more creative. For a while there was a voice in the back of my mind that said ‘sure, thats awesome, but YOU can’t pull that off anymore‘ both in beauty and fashion… But you guys, I SHUT THAT LADY UP. If you are confident enough you can do anything, right? RIGHT??? But today is not about my style revolution in general – it’s focused solely on my blonde locks. It’s very important. I’ve been too long with the same ‘do and it’s time for a change. My New York hair and makeup artist Agata Helena first told me it was time. I’m collaborating with Kristin Ess to help design her studio, while she re-designs my hair. Because if there is anyone in the world I would trust to do the whole shebang (the cut, and color, and style of my hair) it’s her. I don’t think that she is necessarily taking clients (girlfriend is busy with red carpets and product lines at Target) so this was an OPPORTUNITY I was not going to say ‘no’ to, but more importantly not one on which I was going to waste getting a good version of what I’ve kinda had FOREVER. She could give me something new. Cutting Edge. Forward. No pressure, Kristin. Here’s where I started being photographed regularly, but long-ish blonde hair has been on my head since college. Emily Henderson Hair Cut Before Grid 1 Over the years I’ve gone blonder and learned how to put on makeup properly (excuse me while I fire Sara for putting that 2012 photo in that collage, despite my approval) but generally I’ve done the SJP in SITC meets LA with sometimes a little too RHOOC. So many letters, not enough change. If you really want to know, my hair is naturally curly, and it’s fine (as in, not full) but with good texture (so I’m told). It’s naturally very blonde, but if I don’t highlight regularly it looks dull. I have fair skin and zero eyebrows or lashes – before spray tanning existed I was mistaken for an albino quite often in middle and high school. I’m that fair. So the blonde hair has just gotten blonder while spray tans keep me from becoming all one pale color, and generally I’ve felt that it’s a good thing. Emily Henderson Hair Cut Before Grid 2 Above is where we are right now – well, actually it’s shorter than that. I like it. I’m not saying that in a narcissistic way – she is just a nice looking blonde lady. But lately I’ve been so inspired by both young and older women taking more risks and the voice in my head is now saying ‘GO FOR IT.’ Emily Henderson Rue Remember when I did this shoot above for Rue? I LOVED it then and still do now, and you know why? Because it’s more editorial. It took some risks, but I still looked like me. Then I thought to myself, my job is editorial – I tell visual stories for a living, so why shouldn’t my hair follow suit? I know you might be thinking what Brian also suggested, which is ‘why not experiment with hairstyles and not cuts and colors?’ Indeed. But it’s mostly because the ends of my hair are thin and I just need a haircut to keep it healthy, and while long hair will never be ‘out’ I do think this mid-length hair is very happening, and as an all-of-a-sudden-super-edgy-lady I obviously need to be in on that action. Plus… bangs. My hair appointment is Monday. Kristin is VERY opinionated and she sent through lots of styles she thinks will look good one me. First up? The shaggy with curtain bangs: Emily Henderson Hair Cut Shaggy With Bangs2 Now it’s hard not to love that look. Also because they are all such stunning models. I definitely want bangs, that is one thing that I don’t need your help on. But is the rest of the hair wavy, or curly, or is it blunt or layered? I know that Kristin has opinions and I’m personally loving the blunt look, but I’m not convinced it will work on my fine hair. The below gets my heart pounding in both excitement and FEAR: Emily Henderson Hair Cut Short Lob With Bangs Those girls are so cool. That hair is so beautiful, feminine, French, and forward. The key to that for me is keeping the texture super messy and even frizzy (I recently have been using Kristin’s texture spray, and it really does give it this effortless frizz that looks modern and less real housewives). It’s neither straight nor curly. I mean, it’s prefect. But let me tell you a story: One of my best friends, 7 years ago when she was 33, impulsively went from a long ‘Zoey Deschanel with bangs’ style to a cut similar to the bottom right (above). Now it could be because it wasn’t trendy at the time, or maybe it was an off cut, but she admittedly looked 10 years older INSTANTLY. Her commercial agent who reps ‘edgier’ actors told her that she had to get extensions ASAP or he wasn’t going to be able to book her. He said she instantly looked like a Texan soccer mom (obviously no offense to Texan soccer moms, but she wasn’t a mom yet … although she is from Texas). Her husband agreed. She agreed. Even I agreed. She got extensions, went back to looking 26, but it was a terrifying lesson. Does long hair always make you look younger? I’m currently in the ‘I don’t think so’ camp, but for years I felt that way. As a blonde with larger boobs and two kids, I’m super scared that I will look more suburban when my goal here is to look more fashion forward. I will say that I’m willing to put in more time on my makeup and fashion, which some of these hairstyles require. As if now is the time in my life when I need to spend more time on my looks (because as a mom of two small children I have SO much leisure time). The following is the riskiest of all, and the one that most people are pushing me towards – based on fashion and my particular texture. Emily Henderson Hair Cut Curly With Bangs1 Curly with bangs is a thing right now that I’m seeing amongst the hippest of folks. Pretty sure that last sentence disqualifies me from joining this group. That top left photo is what I want, I LOVE it, I’m just terrified that I’ll look like this: Eae51e3e862011cca26189385835dcd0 Yes. that is me photoshopped into Meg Ryan’s hair in Harry Met Sally, and if you are terrified imagine how scared I am. WAIT, imagine how scared BRIAN IS. That dude would be effing terrified if he read this post. Will medium length curly hair with curly bangs make me look like an 80s mom??? Follow up – is 80s mom a cool look right now? I mean there was ‘norm-core’ and now ‘meno-core’ with mom-jeans and oversized button-ups flowing from the runways, so maybe ‘early 80s mom’ (you know, with a 70s bent) is exactly what I want to be. Then we have a question of color. Do I keep the same natural blonde look or go blonder? I mean, when in Rome … Or should I say Norway … Emily Henderson Hair Cut Blonder I don’t think I can go platinum, but I could amp it up a bit – although that would take more maintenance, but if it looked THAT much better then maybe I should? Or I could do the opposite, something I’ve never considered ’til right now – the BRONDE. Emily Henderson Hair Cut Bronde Typically this means brunette with blonder highlights, and it’s probably the #1 request in LA right now. Justin Anderson, who I recently went to for color (who I LOVE and is good friend’s with Kristin), said it’s the only request he gets, even with extremely brunette women. They all want to look sunkissed. For me that would be Kristin putting in darker undertones so that my highlights could stand out. I will always be blonde around my face, but I wouldn’t mind some deeper tones too… So Sara, upon my request, which I realize now was a masochistic one, photoshopped my face onto some of these hairstyles. Enjoy: 2x2 Square Grid 2500 Pixels With all that is happening in the world, I sure am grateful/ashamed that this is what is properly occupying the ‘worry’ portion of my brain. Head to insta-story to see my hair right now and what it looks like with extensions (which I’ve currently been rocking), as well as what it would look like if I cut it. Obviously the question is WHAT DO I DO? Bangs? Lobb? Darker? None of the above truly show what it would look like on me, but if you had to pick one or a couple for me what might you suggest? Monday is the day – and while it’s just hair, now that I’m writing this post it’s all of a sudden too soon. I don’t want to be safe, but I also really don’t want to regret it. Dear world, Help. Your consistently normal blonde, with fine but textured hair, who wants to look fashion forward but is afraid of looking dated and older, Emily Henderson

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