Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: I recently discovered that elastic cords are great for hanging my outdoor hanging baskets. They come in various lengths and colors. They work great hanging from trees, balconies, plant hooks, etc. – Carolyn in Marble Falls, Texas

Dear Heloise: Here’s a hint that makes pouring and storing paint a breeze: Save all your liquid-laundry-detergent jugs. Wash them out and you won’t find a better way to store paint. No more rusty, nonoperable lids, paint splatters from tapping the lids closed, dried-out paint or runs down the side of the can when filling paint trays. The spout works great for dispensing paint. Use a funnel to fill the jugs, and you’re good to go. – Craig, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I use the broken shards from clay pots in the bottoms of pots for drainage. Because the pieces usually have some curvature, they work well over the hole in the bottom to prevent the potting soil from plugging the drain hole, and they allow for better drainage. – Dianne Clark, Houston