Do It Yourself Summer 2022

Senior Editor BRIAN KRAMER Editor EMILY ELVERU Contributing Editor SAMANTHA S. THORPE Associate Art Director JESSICA ENO Assistant Art Director EMILY BUTTERWORTH Editorial Apprentice TRISH RICHARDS Contributing Copy Editor NANCY DIETZ Proofreader MARTHA COLOFF LONG Administrative Assistant RENAE MABIE HOME & GARDEN Executive Editor SAMANTHA HART Senior Editors BRIAN KRAMER, SALLY FINDER WEEPIE, KRISSA ROSSBUND, NICOLE DEAN TEUT Senior Associate Editor EMILY ELVERU Associate Editor SAMANTHA STEVENSON Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden® Manager SANDRA GERDES FOOD Executive Editor SHELLI MCCONNELL Senior Content Manager JESSICA SAARI CHRISTENSEN Senior Editor LAUREN LASTOWKA Editor CAITLYN DIIMIG, RD Culinary Specialists SARAH BREKKE, JULI HALE Food Styling Director GREG LUNA Food Stylists LAUREN MCANELLY, SAMMY MILA, KELSEY MOYLAN, ANNIE PROBST ART Design Directors KIMBERLY MORGAN METZ, MICK SCHNEPF Style & Design Director STEPHANIE HUNTER Associate Art Directors KRISTIN CLEVELAND, RAE DANNEMAN, JESSICA ENO Assistant Art Director EMILY BUTTERWORTH Senior Graphic Designer BRITTANY MUELLER Photography Coordinator ALYSSA RICHARDSON EDITORIAL ADMINISTRATION Editorial Director JILL WAAGE Executive Creative Director…

I’ve never been a car guy, but I grew up in Indiana and went to college near Indianapolis. This time of year is all about getting out there and getting it done—as fast as possible. From qualifiers to Carb Day to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the month of May was synonymous with speed. Though I no longer keep up with daily reports from the speedway, I experience the focus of an Indy driver when it comes to outdoor projects. (I might envision earning that checkered flag at the end of day, but I’m more likely to celebrate with a gin and tonic rather than a bottle of milk.) Team DIY wants you to feel a similar thrill this season as you dig into your garden, trim boards for your deck,…

DO IT BETTER Cut your replacement acrylic door panels roughly ⅛ inch smaller than the openings so they fit with a little wiggle room. Cut panels using a sharp acrylic cutter. Score the panel, align the groove with the edge of a sturdy flat surface, and snap the panel downward, breaking cleanly. Secure panels in the opening with pin nails and stop molding. Finish by filling cracks with wood putty, letting dry, sanding, and applying finish. LIFT IT UP Raise a simple 16×20-inch acrylic tray to the next level by adding pretty feet made from repurposed ball-shape drawer pulls. Place the tray on a flat, cushioned surface. Drill a hole through each of the tray’s four corners using an acrylic drill bit that’s slightly larger in diameter than the bolt of…

A LOVER OF THE OUTDOORS, CRAFTING, AND PUTTING PUZZLES TOGETHER, LICENSED LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR SARA BENDRICK IS A STIHL SPOKESPERSON AND HAS HOSTED LANDSCAPING HOW-TO SHOWS ON THE DIY NETWORK. (SHE HAS A NEW SHOW COMING ON HGTV!) SARA LIKES TO SHARE HER TIPS AND IDEAS FOR HOW TO CREATE OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES THAT ENTICE THE WHOLE FAMILY TO GET OUTSIDE, RELAX, PLAY, AND EXPERIENCE NATURE TOGETHER. THE MAKER: SARA BENDRICK This landscape contractor found her passion in creating outdoor spaces that feel like go-to rooms. Q: What do you love about designing outdoor spaces? A: When I was a kid growing up in San Diego, I had a worm farm. I also raised chickens, which my parents only let me do after I did my homework and had learned how to take care of…

STRING IT UP Set the stage for evenings to remember with this string light installation how-to. BHG.com/StringLights MAKE IT SPARKLE Take on 18 cleaning to-dos at the beginning of the season for a home you’ll love all summer. BHG.com/SummerCleaning PATIO IN A WEEKEND Create an outdoor room in a few days in just six steps. (Check out another paver-made patio option in "Try It: Backyard Upgrades.") BHG.com/EasyPatio CUSHION CARE Give your outdoor seating TLC with these tips for removing grime and stains. BHG.com/CleanCushions DRrototiller.com DRpowerwagon.com GoDRpower.com…