Holes, mounds and trails. When you see any of these critters in your yard or garden, you’ve got uninvited visitors. What — if anything — to do about them depends on where they are and the amount of damage they can do. Here’s a brief guide to what crawlies and critters could be lurking underfoot… Read more »
There may come a time when you decide a tree or shrub in your landscape would look better in another spot. You can successfully transplant these plants as long as you use TLC to protect the plant’s root ball. Here’s our guide to transplanting trees from right here to over there. Before you start America… Read more »
Your home’s landscape is a big investment. Taking good care of it starts with regularly scheduled watering of plants and grass. The best way to accomplish that is with a home irrigation system. Here’s how to operate and maintain your sprinkler system correctly. How an irrigation system works Let’s take a tour of your home… Read more »
Decorative lights bring magic to the winter holiday season, but putting them in place is hard work. Hiring a professional to handle your holiday light installation saves you time and labor. Read on to learn how much that convenience costs. Cost factors The cost for professional holiday light installation depends on how many strands of… Read more »
If you’ve dreamed of having an in-ground pool just a cannonball leap from your backdoor, you may have an idealized image of what constructing a pool takes. Before you take the plunge and build a swimming pool, take a look at this inventory of what you need to consider. A complex project Building a swimming… Read more »
We all love relaxing around a fire, whether it’s indoors by the fireplace hearth or outdoors. Firepits are an increasingly popular way to enjoy a fire in your backyard. If you’re a person with average building skills, you can build one yourself. Here’s how. Portable units Of course, if you don’t want to build your… Read more »
If you live in a small urban apartment or condo, you can relieve any claustrophobia and enjoy the outdoors with a smartly styled balcony. Here’s how to create a refreshing, park-like space just outside your door. How will you use your balcony? The size and shape of your balcony determines how you can use it… Read more »
Concrete is a strong building material, but over time as the ground settles, it can develop cracks. Fortunately, repairing cracked concrete is a task even the most inexperienced do-it-yourselfer can tackle. Let’s patch that crack. Evaluate the source Before starting, consider where the crack is, what caused it and its characteristics. Did the cracked concrete… Read more »
Our furry family members bring us comfort during these anxious times, but do we need to worry about their health? Can they catch COVID-19? Can they spread it to us? Is it safe to let neighbors pet our pooch? Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus and pet care. Dogs, cats and coronavirus… Read more »
Relaxing on your deck is a real pleasure. Unfortunately, wood decks need periodic refinishing to extend that pleasure for many years. Here’s how to restore your deck’s beauty. Choosing the right time It’s important that the weather be dry when you are cleaning and refinishing your wood deck. Wood will not absorb stain well if… Read more »
You might think that smart home technology is only for control of indoor devices, like thermostats, home theaters and security systems. But high tech has come to the backyard. Let’s talk about some of the outdoor smart home technology now available. High-tech grilling Outdoor smart home technology is revolutionizing the oldest form of cooking. You… Read more »
Buying plants online may not offer the lush smells and instant beauty achieved when meandering through a local plant nursery. But would-be gardeners will save time — and possibly money — when shopping for plants online. Here’s what to know before you buy plants online. Pros Ordering plants from a website provides access to unusual… Read more »
If you love the zesty taste of fresh herbs in food, wouldn’t it be great to have some growing right outside the backdoor or in a sunny kitchen window? Consider planting your own tasty herb garden either indoors or out. Here are some tips for herb gardening. Where to plant a herb garden Herbs require… Read more »
Before you get started cleaning a long-neglected grill, think about how best to keep from making a bigger mess. First, protect the surrounding area with cardboard or a tarp. Next, consider wearing old clothes or a long apron to protect against grease stains. It’s also a great idea to wear protective gloves while grill cleaning…. Read more »
More and more home gardeners are growing lush vegetables and plants with hydroponics systems. Hydroponic gardeners say this ancient historical method produces phenomenal plant growth and high yields. What is hydroponics? An ancient approach Cultures dating back 2,500 years gardened by setting plants in containers without soil, then continually bathing their root systems with a… Read more »
Guys have had “man caves” for decades. Now women are finally getting their own private space: the “she shed.” Here are some tips for setting up your personal space. A cozy retreat “She sheds” improve upon the basic shed by enhancing it with more eye appealing architectural design, colors and materials and by devoting the… Read more »
The images from the West Coast in late 2018 were terrifying: apocalyptic wildfires, with flames soaring hundreds of feet and racing through towns and neighborhoods destroying homes. Still, some houses survive because their owners took critical preventative steps beforehand. What can you do to spare your home? Create a safe zone free from fuel Fires… Read more »
As summer’s heat wanes and the evenings begin to cool, it’s time to begin preparing your landscape for the winter. Hard work now will mean a robust return come spring. Here are five important fall lawn maintenance tasks to help your landscape flourish when the weather warms up again. Prepare your lawn for new growth… Read more »
Ticks can take some of the fun out of spring and summer outdoor living. Bites from these pests can cause infections and the potential for long-term disease. Here’s how you can keep them away without the risks of commercial pesticides. The tick test If your home is near a wooded or heavily shaded area, a… Read more »
Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, isn’t as hard as you might think — even without a large yard. Where do you start? Here are the basics to a successful backyard kitchen garden. Start your gardening at the computer. Many online gardening sites provide planner templates, giving step-by-step instructions on everything from starting with… Read more »
