Around your house 5//7/03

IN THE GARDEN

Pinch azaleas and rhododendron blossoms as they fade. Double flowered azaleas need no pinching. Fertilize azaleas after bloom, using a formulation which has an acid reduction.

Don't remove spring bulb foliage prematurely or next year's flower production will decline.

Plant dill to use when making pickles.

Set out tomato plants as the soil warms. Place support stakes alongside at planting time. Thin plantings of carrots and beets to avoid overcrowding.

Begin fertilizing annuals and continue at regular intervals.

Birds eat many insects; attract them to your garden by providing good nesting habits.

IN THE KITCHEN

For the cook's bookshelf

If it's never occurred to you to smooth chocolate frosting with a hair dryer or cut up mushrooms in your egg slicer, browse through "The Best Kitchen Quick Tips."

This is a collection of "534 tricks, techniques, and shortcuts for the curious cook" compiled by the editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine.

For the happy cook, too -- these neat ideas will smooth the way through many a kitchen chore. A sampling: how to tie up a roast, store delicate herbs, clean your garlic press and liberate trapped muffins.

One airily confident overline promises the ultimate insider's know-how: "Keeping the mess under control."

Entries are arranged in alphabetical order, from almond paste to zucchini, by way of blender, bok choy and cocktails. The tips are also well indexed and each is illustrated with a line drawing. --AP

AROUND THE HOUSE

Fixing galvanized pipe

If your home is more that 30 years old, chances are it harbors some galvanized pipe.

The water system for most modern homes are plumbed in copper. Copper isn't as expensive to install as galvanized pipe, and has better lasting quality. Hard water and time cause galvanized pipe to corrode and leak. If the budget doesn't allow for full replacement of the galvanized material, troubled sections can be replaced using copper.

Remember that copper and galvanized pipe should never come into contact with one another because they are dissimilar metals. This contact can result in a condition known as electrolysis, and will speed the demise of the pipe.

A dielectric union placed between the copper and the galvanized pipe will make for a safe-and-easy connection. --AP