Deck Cleaners, Fruit Trees & Pickled Ginger
Joan Clark
August 17, 2026
Sponsored by
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Hi there,
Summer brings the perfect opportunity to refresh outdoor spaces and grow food in small gardens. We've gathered practical ideas to help make the most of the season.
In today's issue:
A Natural Solution for Cleaning Your Deck
Growing Fruit Trees in Tight Spaces
Preserving Fresh Ginger at Home
And more…
CLEANING
We discovered that most deck grime comes from a combination of mildew, pollen, and tannins from nearby trees, not dirt tracked from shoes. These 4 homemade cleaners tackle each messy deck culprit without the harsh chemicals or the $40+ price tag of store-bought formulas.
Thank You to our Partners
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PLANTS & GARDEN
A single dwarf apple tree can produce up to 50 pounds of fruit each season while taking up less space than a patio umbrella . We rounded up 14 compact varieties that turn even the smallest balcony into a productive orchard, from sweet cherries to juicy peaches.
TIP OF THE DAY
Convince Rats to Pack Their Bags Without Bloodshed
Make your home smell terrible to rats by soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them near suspected nesting areas. Use 10-15 drops of pure peppermint oil per cotton ball, and refresh them every three days for two weeks.
Tuck the cotton balls into corners of your attic, basement, crawl spaces, and behind appliances where droppings appear. Rats have sensitive noses and find the strong menthol scent overwhelming, so they'll search for more comfortable accommodations while you avoid handling poison or disposing of bodies.
FOOD STORAGE
Pickled ginger has been a staple in Japanese cuisine for over a thousand years, prized for cleansing the palate between bites of sushi and aiding digestion after rich meals. We found that making pickled ginger at home takes less than 15 minutes and costs a fraction of store-bought jars, plus the flavor is brighter and the pink hue more natural.
FUN FACT
It Took 400 Years to Add Arms to Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses sat balanced on the nose or were held by hand for four centuries before anyone thought to attach side pieces. The Spanish added ribbons that looped behind the ears in the 1600s, but rigid temple arms didn't arrive until 1727. Before that, people pinched nose clips, perched pince-nez, or tied silk cords around their heads to keep lenses in place while reading or working. |  |
THANK YOU!
Your deck is sparkling, your patio orchard is taking shape, and that pickled ginger is ready to add zing to dinner . Three projects, zero excuses, and a whole lot of satisfaction waiting outside your back door.
May your harvest be sweet,
Tipsbulletin Newsletter Team
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