Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2013 i HGTV Magazine

porch swing International Caravan Balau 4' hardwood swing, $190, wayfair.com doorbell Whittington Dion brass doorbell in brushed nickel, $29, signaturehardware.com door Therma-Tru Classic-Craft Canvas fiberglass entry door, $387, thermatru.com for stores; paint: Spirit in the Sky by Benjamin Moore; Hamilton Mortise entry set in satin nickel, $454, hoah.biz; Monogram door knocker in brushed nickel, $39, michaelhealy.com outdoor pillows Chili Pepper 22" x 22" pillow, $55, Juniper 20" x 20" pillow, $40, both crateandbarrel.com outdoor thermometer Flower Market enamel thermometer in white, $98, mackenzie-childs.com house numbers Solid brass 5" floating house numbers in satin nickel, $16 each, architecturalmailboxes.com for stores welcome mat Threshold Multi Medallion doormat, $13, Target stores lantern Cube aqua 8 ½" x 6 ½" lantern, $30, cb2.com…

"When I make my bed, the pillowcase openings have to face in, so when someone looks at the bed from the doorway, they don't see the open ends of the cases." —Kathy Bertone, Naples, FL "This is so funny to me: Whenever my husband is on the phone, he organizes things. I realized it when, after one call, I found all the fruit from the fruit basket lined up by size and color on the counter. Ha!" —Christine Piccin, Santa Rosa, CA "Towels have to be folded in thirds in my house. My stylish mom and neat-freak dad always did it this way, so it's totally ingrained, but I have to say, it is the tidiest way to hang towels. My husband's a reformed half-folder, and I'll train my baby…

Microwave-safe dishes are always a good idea. Glass and ceramic dishes that aren't microwave-safe absorb the machine's energy instead of letting it pass through to the food, so they can crack or become too hot to touch. Close my door gently, please. Slamming it could blow the internal fuse so the machine won't turn on. Then you'd have to call a pro to replace the fuse. Bummer. Use that popcorn button! When you press a button designated for a certain food, such as popcorn or a frozen meal, you activate the machine's humidity sensor. This adjusts an item's cooking time based on the amount of steam it releases, leaving you with a perfectly done dish. I'm easy to clean.I promise. If you've let splatters sit too long, mix 2 tablespoons…

Have you ever taken medicine from a friend's medicine cabinet without asking? 7% Yes, but only an aspirin. 8% Yes, I've done some, um, random sampling. 85% No, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. You're home alone and have to use the bathroom. Do you close the door? 60% No, I keep it open. Do you put reading material in the guest bathroom? 36% Yes, guests should have some entertainment in there. 64% No, I don't want to encourage lingering. How often do you clean your toilet? 65% Once a week. 18% Once every two weeks. 17% Only when it obviously needs it. Do you keep air freshener in the guest bathroom? 65% Yes, it's always in there. 11% Yes, but only when I'm having guests. 24% No, never. Let's…

$40 Turquoise whipstitching is a rich little detail. Mayan Geo 16" x 16" cotton pillow with tassels, echodesign.com $25 Ditch the stitch but keep the tassels and the price comes down. Threshold 16 ½" x 16 ½" pillow, target.com $202 Put this metal mirror above an entry table. Guests will take notice! Paragon black ornate 36" x 22" mirror, wayfair.com $40 Easy to hang, thanks to the lightweight plastic frame. Ung Drill 33 ½" x 23 ¼" mirror, IKEA stores $1,999 The look of natural leather really shows through the dye. That's top-notch. Eiffel leather chair, crateandbarrel.com $875 Nailhead trim is hand-applied to this linen-blend chair. Jackson club chair in Trilby basketweave seafoam, ballarddesigns.com $50 The bone inlay pattern is handcrafted by Indian artisans. Geo 3 ¼" x 5 ¼"…

As a divorcée who's having an affair with her ex (Alec Baldwin) while dating her architect (Steve Martin), Meryl Streep's character faces a lot of, well, complicated situations. "We wanted her to have a living room where she could relax with friends and entertain," says set decorator Beth Rubino, who teamed up with production designer Jon Hutman. They surrounded a zinc-top coffee table with slipcovered furniture you can sink into. The kitchen (on page 70) has a bar-height island and a trio of stools for hanging out. "Meryl's character is a professional baker, so the space is also very functional," says Rubino. Pots and pans are hung on a rack, and open shelving puts plates and cake stands within easy reach. Throw Pillow Rizzy Home 20" x 20" indigo blue…

Hang A Pretty Light Center a fixture over the table so the nook feels cozy. We matched our lantern to the bench fabric by coating it with bright orange spray paint (Real Orange by Rust-Oleum). LANTERN: Eldridge small pendant, $149, ballarddesigns.com Dress The Bench In Stain-Resistant Fabric We covered 2-inch foam cushions from cushionsxpress.com in outdoor fabric, which cleans up with soap and water. FABRIC: Sunbrella Outdoor in tangerine, $37 per yard, calicocorners.com Pack It With Pillows A seamstress sewed our fabric into 18-inch-square pillow covers. Each one required about a yard. Bring In A Round Table A pedestal table not only looks sweet but also allows chairs to scoot up close without table legs getting in the way. TABLE: Della 36"-diameter bistro table in lemon ice, $1,790, mainecottage.com Add…

HOMEOWNERS: Jeannie and Robert McLean BUILT IN: 1927 BOUGHT IN: 1995 "We love all the windows and awnings on our pink Mediterranean revival. It's a true Tampa house." IDEAS TO STEAL Concrete tile roof Made with sand and cement, these roof tiles are earth-friendly building materials. Since concrete is a good insulator, and the light color doesn't absorb much heat, they're energy-efficient, too. Paint colors WALLS: Soft Pink by Behr TRIM: Ultra Pure White by Behr FRONT DOOR: Deep Azure by Behr Ornament This decorative resin design can be painted any color and attaches with screws or glue. Heavy oval shield onlay CP-117, $75, architecturaldepot.com Striped awnings The McLeans' awnings were custom-made with Sunbrella fabric and spear supports. Go online for similar ready-made looks at a fraction of the cost.…

When Sarah and Peter Love moved to Birmingham, AL, in 2008, Peter was set on finding a property with a great backyard like they'd had in their old Charlotte, NC, home, with a nice grassy area for playing with their dog, Grace, and outdoor space for lounging around and hosting parties. What they found instead was a 1940s cottage with a good layout inside but a sad situation out back. "There was one measly uncovered deck and some seriously spotty landscaping," says Peter. It wasn't at all what he had in mind, but he was confident it could become the backyard of their dreams. Fast-forward five months, two decks, and a lush lawn later.… Double-decker porches With the addition of one open and one covered deck upstairs and a screened…

There's never a dull moment for Stacy and Jonathan Anderstrom—and that's not just because they have four kids under the age of 8. "I'm constantly coming up with little DIY projects to put around the house," says Stacy, a big fan of crafting and secondhand shopping. "I've been painting, drawing, and building things since I was a kid and now, with a house to fill, I feel like I can just go on and on." When the Anderstroms bought their 1998 farmhouse in Hudson, WI, in 2009, it was in good shape but a little bland. "I knew Stacy could turn it into a one-of-a-kind home," says Jonathan. For the past four years, she's spent nap times and evenings adding creative personal touches—vintage lockers here, pom-pom fringed curtains there—and she's…

1 cute bottle opener Kick off summer festivities with help from this little party animal. Bird aluminum bottle opener in green, $15, tag2u.com 2 acrylic glasses Pretty and indestructible? We'll drink to that. Pacific tumblers, $6 for a set of 2 like colors, worldmarket.com 3 5-quart pot Just as hardworking as other enamel cast-iron pots, but at a can't-beat price. Everyday Dutch oven in red, $70, jcp.com 4 handy cheese grater The plastic side grip makes prepping Parm simple. It's dishwasher-safe, too. Fold Flat grater in green, $20, josephjoseph.com 5 measuring spoons An adorable set helps you dig out the right amount. Shovel dolomite measuring spoon set, $16, shopinbliss.com 6 dots oven mitt Just the thing for making breakfast in bed for Mom. Hint, hint, kids. Oven mitt in spot…

Style Selections cotton garden gloves, $3, lowes.com "My favorite basic. These latex-dot-covered gloves are comfortable, durable, cute, and ridiculously inexpensive." —Peyton Lambton, HGTV's Going Yard Joseph Bentley hand trowel, $15, williams-sonoma.com I do a ton of dirty work with this tool—plant seeds, turn over soil, and mix compost. The wood handle and stainless steel blade seem to last forever. —Daniel Grady Faires, hgtvgardens.com Convertible pruner and lopper, $40, coronatoolsusa.com These versatile shears cut large branches and small stems with ease, which minimizes damage to your plants. —Ben Ford, hgtvgardens.com Kneelo kneepads, $35, amazon.com "These kneepads are cushioned with memory foam, which makes kneeling in the yard about a thousand times more comfortable. And they come in a bunch of colors: red, green, teal, lime, and pink." —Sara Bendrick, DIY Network's…

Here's a little story about a sugar bowl. I broke mine. Surely I have something else I can use, I thought. While rummaging around my hutch, I found my grandma's green glass sugar bowl that I'd forgotten about. Rediscovering this treasure made me re-appreciate other little things around my house. • I love this short and sweet book on my nightstand—it's only 50 pages. • Tucked inside is my favorite bookmark. • I pick up mini pink flowers called godetia (they stay fresh for two weeks) every time I see them. • When Petal, my 8-year-old cockapoo, isn't following me around, she's snoozing on her 2' x 3' sheepskin rug. • Tiny candles in tins! I can't get enough. • On my living room side tables, I keep linen napkins…

1 SWITCH OUT A SHOWERHEAD Bring your old showerhead to the hardware store to make sure your replacement will fit the arm that's already in the shower. 1. Clamp an adjustable wrench around the nut at the base of your showerhead. Turn counterclockwise until you've loosened it, then unscrew it with your hands to remove it. With a damp rag, wipe away any residue around the pipe. 2. Wrap plumber's tape—a thin, flexible white kind used on pipes—around the threads of the shower arm a couple of times. It'll help create a tight seal and prevent leaks. 3. Put your new showerhead on the end of the shower arm, and tighten by turning its accompanying nut clockwise with your fingers. Then turn on the shower to check for leaks. If…

1 Dawn Ultra, original scent "It gets the job done. I only have to use a little, which saves money." $3 for 24 ounces, grocery stores —Hugo Argueta, Massachusetts Restaurant Association's 2012 Dishwasher of the Year 2 Williams-Sonoma essential oils dish soap, pink grapefruit scent "Washing dishes isn't the most enjoyable chore, but the grapefruit scent makes it less painful." $10 for 16 ounces, williams-sonoma.com —John Colaneri, Cousins on Call 3 Great Value ultra-concentrated dishwashing liquid, green apple scent "This thick liquid doesn't wash away before getting dishes really clean." $3 for 24 ounces, Walmart —Fritz Greengrass, executive steward at Chicago's Drake Hotel 4 Dawn Hand Renewal With Olay Beauty, lavender silk scent "I'm not a fan of wearing gloves, and with this soap I don't have to. It's powerful,…

ONE (CHEAP) ROD, 3 WAYS We spray-painted the same 99-cent IKEA Räcka 28" curtain rod three different colors, then added fun finials. Sneaky way to save! PAINT: Satin Periwinkle by Krylon FINIAL: Skulptur, $5 for a set of 2, ikea.com PAINT: Brown by Rust-Oleum Universal Hammered FINIAL: Rope Ball, $20 for a set of 2, landofnod.com PAINT: Aged Brass by Rust-Oleum American Accents Designer Metallic FINIAL: Hand-painted amaryllis, $38 for a set of 2, anthropologie.com FABRICS THAT ONLY LOOK RICH Shop these websites. You'll need about 7 yards for two 84" panels. Judy linen in winterfresh blue, $9.50 per yard graylinelinen.com A huge range of affordable, high-quality linens in hundreds of colors, for as little as $9.50 per yard. Crosscriss by Holli Zollinger, from $16 per yard spoonflower.com If you're…

1. Hide-and-seek curtains You won't find any cartoon-character window coverings in Vern's house! He sticks with fabrics his kids won't quickly outgrow, like these machine-washable drapery panels made of dupioni polyester. "They're easy to clean, which is great because the kids are always yanking them open and pulling them closed playing peekaboo," he says. 2. Gray blue, not baby blue Kids' rooms can be pastel and still look great when they get older. "Just don't pick a color that's too powdery or it will go babyish fast," says Vern. "The bluish gray I used in the playroom [Calm Waters by Dunn-Edwards] is like a clear sky." 3. Triple toy cabinets Vern scored this trio of cabinets for $75 from a Banana Republic store that was being remodeled. For now they're…

MINI Stainless Flatware Calla utensils, $12 for a set of 5, qsquarednyc.com Retro Clock Newgate Mini Metro alarm clock, $40, burkedecor.com Melamine Cup Loops rocks glass, $9, jonathanadler.com Tiny Toaster Cuisinart 2-slice compact toaster, $30, cuisinart.com Curvy Candleholder Maren 16 ½"-tall candleholder, $35, blisslivinghome.com MEDIUM Spotted Pillow Red Circles 17" x 17" chenille and cotton pillow, $40, pillowdecor.com Steel Trash Can Retro step can, $100, simplehuman.com Patterned Pouf Threshold diamond 16"W x 16"D x 13"H pouf, $60, Target stores Counter Stool Metal 36"-tall stool, $180 for a set of 2, overstock.com MAJOR Splashy Dresser New Mix 54 ½"W x 19 ¼"D x 34 ½"H double dresser in chili pepper, $1,049, youngamerica.com Tufted Settee Elton 60" linen settee in campfire, $799, westelm.com MINI Oven Mitt Devon stripe mitt, $7, crateandbarrel.com Glass…

1. Spanish Colonial houses are most often made of: A wood B adobe C concrete D brick 2. This type of house is called a: A split-level B foursquare C second empire D dutch colonial 3. Match the roof shape to its name. A hipped B gambrel C gable 4. This decorative feature, often found on Victorian- style homes, is called: A a cornice B a corbel C gingerbread trim D a bracket 5. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright was most famous for which architectural style (shown here)? A prairie B postmodern C saltbox 6. A window that protrudes from the sloped surface of a roof is called a(n): A dormer B skylight C oculus 7. A Colonial-style house almost always has a symmetrical facade. A true B false 8. They…

TABLE: HGTV HOME WAKEFIELD CONSOLE, $679, BASSETTFURNITURE.COM In The Dining Room As A Bar Our console table is ready for a party! Lacquer trays protect the top from spills, and they're easy to wipe down and tote around. Arrange your happy hour essentials—glasses, stirrers, and cocktail napkins—on them, and keep an ice bucket and a compact wine rack on the bottom shelf. In The Bedroom As A Vanity Prop a mirror on top and pull up a cushioned stool to turn a console table into an instant makeup area. A small tray holds pretty perfume bottles. Need better light for putting on mascara? Add a lamp with a three-way bulb. A big, lidded basket on the lower shelf can hold overflow supplies, travel bags, and all those cute little shampoos…

Pop Art Dresser Remove the hardware and pull out the drawers. Measure the drawer fronts and the kickplate, then cut a poster into sections to fit. Brush Mod Podge onto the backs of the poster pieces and stick them on. Coat with layers of Mod Podge. Let dry, then poke holes in the paper from inside the drawers. Reattach the pulls. DRESSER: Rast 3-drawer chest, $35, ikea.com. We painted ours Silver Threads by Olympic. POSTER: 24" × 36" Pan Am "London," $19, stores.ebay.com/vintageartandposters Decoupage Made (Even) Easier Any kind of paper is fine for decoupaging, but if you're using computer printouts or photos, first spray them with a clear acrylic sealer (like Krylon Crystal Clear, $5.50, dickblick.com) to keep the ink from bleeding. You can find all types of Mod…

Before her husband passed away, Bria Weldon didn't spend much time in the kitchen. Her husband, Michael, had always been the chef in the family. Although the couple had often talked about transforming their cramped San Rafael, CA, kitchen, between work and raising their twins, time was just always too tight. But when Bria, an advertising exec, became a single mom to Kai and Graysen, she knew she had to figure out a way to make the space work for her. "Once the family meals became my responsibility, I realized just how frustrating our old kitchen was." With the help of her friend, designer Lisa Collins, she made over the old galley kitchen into a happy open space that makes cooking a much more enjoyable experience. "I know Michael would…

Plant one of these flowers instead! Torenia This annual tends to spread, which means it will fill a pot or bed nicely. Place it in part shade, and keep it watered during hot and dry weather, but avoid overwatering—it hates always-wet soil. While it resists most pests, it does need some care: Fertilize it at least once a month. Find it in blue, purple, yellow, and white. √ Lots of colors √ Tons of blooms √ Easy to care for √ Pest-resistant √ Fast grower √ Good for pots and beds Dragon Wing Begonia This dramatic, pest- and deer-resistant begonia features pretty clusters of pink, red, or white flowers. Plant it in moist (not soggy) soil, ideally in partial shade. At about $5 for a 4-inch pot, it tends to…

You have some leftover paint. Can you come up with a quick makeover? "Take white ceramic vases and dip them in the paint. Don't worry about taping off a line. An imperfect one makes the vase look more special." —Cortney Novogratz, Home by Novogratz "Update a dresser with one thick stripe down the front—it's bold and graphic." —Casey Noble, Design on a Dime "Cute up plain bins! Use stencils to label canvas containers so your kids know where their toys go." —Genevieve Gorder, Dear Genevieve "Cover a terra-cotta pot with the extra paint. I like white—it immediately makes the pot look cool and modern. Then use a rubber stamp and an ink pad to add a fun design over the paint. The ink will stick best if the…

I've subscribed to many home magazines over the years, but I'm happy to say I've found "the one" with your magazine! Not long ago I reread all my previous issues while wondering when I'd get my next one. Lo and behold, I received the most recent issue the very next day. I have already read it twice and am making a mental list of upcoming projects you've inspired me to do. —Connie Olson, Wheaton, IL You could have knocked me over with a feather when I turned to the story on Sarah Richardson's lovely home ("Hey, Sarah, What Did You Do With All These Colors?") in the March issue. I've loved her shows for years, and it was inspiring to see her own house in all its glory, filled with…

…to never feed your houseplants? A: Don't panic if you've never fed (a.k.a. fertilized) those ferns on your windowsill. "Food will keep them green and healthy," says Mike Rimland, director of business development for Costa Farms, North America's biggest houseplant grower. "But plants can live without it." For one thing, when you buy a houseplant, its soil has likely already been boosted with a slow-release fertilizer that can last as long as six months. Also, because they're in containers, houseplants don't need to put a lot of energy into spreading their roots, so they don't require much food. If you do want to pump up your soil with fertilizer, Rimland suggests using a liquid product every other month. BOTTOM LINE: not bad at all! DID YOU KNOW? Like overwatering, it's…

A home that can simplify your life. That's the idea behind the HGTV Smart Home, a 2,400-square-foot shingled house in Jacksonville Beach, FL, that's equipped with state-of-the-art features you can preprogram and control with your tablet or smartphone. Want to turn on the AC while you're at work? Use an app. Forgot to lock the front door? Use another app. Fill your bathtub until it shuts off automatically? Yep, you can do that, too. Says house planner Jack Thomasson, "It means less planning ahead, more time-saving, and better peace of mind." REMOTE LIGHTS Uh-oh! The garage lights are on and you're pulling out of the driveway. Use an app to shut them off without leaving the car. REMOTE SECURITY With 10 cameras installed by the front and back doors, you're…

Watermelon smoothie BY GLIDDEN "You can't help but be happy in a rosy bedroom. This shade of pink looks fresh and pretty, not babyish, especially with white furniture. The same color would also look grown up combined with chocolate or tan accessories." —Suzanne Kasler, Suzanne Kasler Interiors, Atlanta, GA Bordéaux red BY BENJAMIN MOORE "I like to see a warm, inviting wall color in a space used for entertaining, which is why I chose eggplant for my dining room. I paired it with orange accents and kept the chairs, trim, and ceiling white so the rich grape color would really stand out." —Rachel Reider, Rachel Reider Interiors, Boston, MA Meadow green BY RUST-OLEUM "This fearless green spray paint is so unexpected for a chest of drawers. To tone down the…

Happy finds for your home, starting at less than you'd pay for a latte. WHAT A STEAL! $2.50 each Herb Pots Norcal Pottery 4 ½"-tall terra-cotta pots, Home Depot stores $6 Salad Servers Zoie chevron melamine server set, dillards.com $6 Melamine Plate Tavira dinner plate, crateandbarrel.com $10 each Grill Tools Danny Seo Home brush and spatula, HomeGoods stores $14 each Dog Toys Floats My Boat rubber buoy toys, waggo.com $17 Trinket Dish Carnival 3 ½" x 8" glass tray, luluandgeorgia.com $20 Printed Shade Threshold 15"-diameter ikat-print lampshade, Target stores $38 Floral Pillow Modern Flower 18" x 18" cotton pillow, hsn.com $40 Rubberized Bin Pantone Universe 10"-tall wastebin in blue aster, jcp.com $50 Cheery Side Table Threshold 22"-tall wooden side table with woven insert, Target stores $60 Cute Toaster Michael Graves…

Home Decorators Collection Keyes pillow, $54 "We introduced this pillow two years ago and have sold hundreds both years. The pattern looks great on a couch, chair, or even a bed." —Bill Grace, senior merchant for Home Decorators Collection Ballard Designs Suzanne Kasler gourd lamp, $169 "People often buy two of these lamps at once to flank a sofa or a bed. The curvy neutral base and linen shade go with anything. We sell about 300 a month." —Phil Lancaster, senior director of merchandising for Ballard Designs Room & Board Quinn chair, $799 "Some people plan their living room around this chair, a crowd favorite since 2007. You can use it on its own or with a second one. And the design is simple, so any fabric looks good on…

1 Another house on the block looks shabby. A neighbor's negligence can detract from your own home's curb appeal and sink its resale value. "Ideally everyone on the block should have the same standards for maintaining the yard, keeping the exterior paint fresh, and tidying the front of the house," says Kennon. If there's a black sheep on the block, ask about it. Hopefully the condition is just temporary. 2 It practically shares a yard with a school. People with kids love being near a school, but there is such a thing as too near—e.g., right next door or across the street, according to the experts. Even if you don't mind daily bells and playground noise, "there's going to be constant traffic on your block," says Valerie. Plus, a school-adjacent…

It's not that Maria Elena Soto was unhappy with her living room—it's just that she never used it. "She liked the blue chairs and gray sofa, but she avoided the room because it was like an empty shell," says Maria's daughter, Sabrina, host of The High Low Project. "My mom is a decorator turned 'professional grandma'—she helps out with my sister's four kids a lot—so I knew she wouldn't get around to doing much with the space. I was dying to get my hands on it!" First up: a plush, patterned rug, which instantly changed the vibe from cold to inviting. Then Sabrina gave the room a little zing with graphic pillows, a quatrefoil-shaped mirror over the fireplace, and a gold-leaf coffee table. "I love, love, love it!" says Maria…

Two days before Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, Sam and Jeff Burkhardt grabbed stacks of family pictures, some sentimental pieces of art, and a hard drive filled with digital memories, then fled with their 11-year-old son, Johnston, to a friend's house five hours away. They had no idea how their home had fared through the storm until they were permitted to return to their Lakeview neighborhood two weeks later. "It was pretty much what we'd feared," Sam recalls. The house was still standing, "but inside there was nothing but mildewed furniture and furry white mold growing everywhere." The big question: Was their home—badly in need of repairs that flood insurance wouldn't fully cover—worth saving? The family decided it was, then got to work sifting through rubble, hauling destroyed furniture…

Top Chef Masters winner Marcus Samuelsson shares a pasta dish that's a family favorite. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, Marcus Samuelsson likes to get creative with ingredients from all over the world. But when it comes to prepping meals at home in New York City, this quick and easy spaghetti dish—an update of his mom's original recipe—is a top pick. "My mom wasn't a big cook, but I loved this dinner," says Marcus. A real chef is, of course, constantly tinkering. "I started tweaking her recipe early on with whatever I had: a little pancetta, fresh basil, lemon zest, and whole wheat pasta," he says. The current version, which he serves with a salad of greens and raw beets, is a crowd-pleaser. "My nieces and nephews ask for…

BEFORE YOU WALK IN THE DOOR… Collect photos of plants and flowers you love. Since the screen on most phones is too small for the nursery's staff to ID plants, bring printouts or a tablet with you. Search the plant finder at hgtvgardens.com. Time your trip right. Visit on a weekday, when the nursery staff isn't stretched as thin. If you're free only on weekends, head over before lunch for a better-stocked plant selection. Do your homework. Come knowing your garden's size, how much sun it gets, and what your soil is like. Is it wet or dry? Rocky or sandy? Bring a sample to show to nursery staff. If you're planting in pots, note each one's diameter and height so you can get the right number of plants. 1.…