Landscaping

String trimmers are necessary for dealing with the areas around gardens, trees, fences, and other obstacles, as well as areas of thick brush that can't be dealt with any other way. Here are the best.

Most lawn grasses in the U.S. come from Europe, but weather in the U.S. is different. How do we grow grass lawns in our country to make them lush and attractive year round?

A guide for Southern homeowners who choose St. Augustine grass as a ground cover.

Irrigation controllers direct the timing of your sprinklers. When you program them correctly and attach weather sensors, you can improve your landscape health and lower the water bills too.

I wanted to replace my elderly Yardworks grass trimmer. Black & Decker’s LST540, which comes equipped with a 40V Max battery, appeared to be the best candidate.

Before you plant, first think about why you want to plant and get involved with yearly sago palm care and maintenance. A total guide to the "Cycas revoluta" and its problems.

Do you have an unsightly bare spot under your bird feeders? Most of us do, but there are options for making that area as pretty as the rest of your yard. Discover my 8 easy solutions for transforming the space under birdfeeders.

A slope, rocks and trees didn't stop us from building an unconventional garden pond. And the results were worth the effort!

The Japanese maple tree is famous worldwide for its beauty and elegance. In Japan itself, the maple tree - or kaede - is one of the nation's most famous trees, especially during fall. This tree has a significance attached to it that goes a little bit beyond aesthetic beauty, and this significance is something not a lot of Westerners are aware of. This hub explores the meaning of the Japanese maple tree to the Japanese people and its place in Japanese society and culture.

Step-by-step instructions on how I built an outdoor, wood-fired sauna by taking advantage of an existing small outbuilding and an old fireplace insert.

You don’t need to have a backyard the size of the one at Versailles Palace to create a French garden. The same balance and eye appeal are easy to achieve, even on a limited budget.

Leaks can cost thousands of dollars on a large landscape if allowed to continue, so they need to be discovered and fixed as soon as possible. This article shows how to find irrigation leaks.

Homeowners frequently take pride in a good-looking lawn and for good reason. A healthy lawn doesn’t occur without effort, but it doesn’t need to be as labor intensive as some people make it out to be.

This article focuses on the CM2040, CM2043 and CM2045 Lithium Cordless Mowers.

The worn wooden porch and deck on my 100-year old house were in need of refinishing and repainting. Here's how I accomplished this "do it yourself" project.

Learn to build and maintain a reflecting pond by following these 12 easy steps. Includes picture-by-picture examples, tips, and helpful links.

Here are some tips on where to locate the pond, how to keep it clean, pond liners, some plants, and aeration - all important factors to consider when planning a pond.

If you can make a mud pie, you can make an oven from clay, sand, and a bit of labor. Here's my account of building a low cost wood fired oven using easy-to-find material. Pizza, bread, and fun!

Prior to any leaves unfurling onto the branches of our redbud tree each Spring, suddenly it is ablaze with the color pink. Learn how to care for this beauty of a gardener's delight.

Find out how three of the best commercial zero turn mowers fair when compared against each other. These zero radius mowers offer some of the best that the commercial zero turn market has to offer.

Sooner or later, power failures hit every pond. For koi, a fish species dependent on electricity, the situation could turn deadly. The best solution is preparedness, before this kind of emergency destroys years of hard work.

Minimize water damage or avert it all together using this method! Read on for simple, step-by-step instructions complete with video and photographic tutorials. You'll be surprised how easily this technique could save you thousands of dollars in water damage. You got this!

How and when you prune your lilac bushes has a direct impact on the number and size of springtime blooms. This article tells you everything you need to know.

Are you looking for a commercial zero-turn mower? Compare reviews of the best ones. These reviews will help you decide which is best based on power, comfort, speed, and price.

Having used a Stihl brush cutter for 8 years, we can wholeheartedly recommend the FS85 model. It has been an integral part of the maintenance on our organic coconut farm in Brazil.

Plant a rain garden to catch runoff from rainfall and melting snow. Our rain garden captures runoff from our house and landscape, and channels the excess water into our rain garden.

A discussion of optimum lawn care and practical environmental stewardship.

Make your own engraved stone monument house sign with these easy to follow directions. An easy job that will require only a few hours and look great in front of your home.

In the past, it was necessary for people who lived out in the country to know how to split fence rails out of logs for the purpose of building fences to protect their crop fields, their property boundaries, or to contain their livestock. But what's the point in knowing how to do it today? Well, check out this article - maybe I can convince you to give it a try!

Learn how and where to locate used grain bins. You can use them for grain storage or even for housing. I'll let you know how to tell a good quality bin from one of poor quality.

Growing a living den or playhouse for your child is easier than you might think. This article will guide you through the process and even show you how you can make it an exciting project to get your children involved in.

Plants which grow in walls includes stonecrop, valerian, campanula and Maidenhair spleenwort. Find out how to get plants to grow in walls and what makes a suitable plant for growing in a wall.

A how-to with photos and discussion, showing how to take down your old grain bin for moving or complete removal. Be sure to check out the comments for further discussion and advice.

Changing the oil in your mower helps to reduce wear and prolongs the life of the engine. Anyone with a small amount of technical aptitude can learn to do this, and few tools are required.

Recycling plastic bottles are all the rage, and what better way to make use of them, than by building yourself a greenhouse? Learn how to build a greenhouse made from plastic bottles.

All about mesquite trees, sometimes called the Devil Tree. Lots of photos and a video of what those mesquite thorns can do.

Few things are as cozy on an autumn night than gathering around a fire pit. And although the weather hasn’t turned cool in my area of the country yet, I can’t wait to get the kids outside to just relax around a fire.

I accidentally locked my poultry in their house with a hawk for a night, yet my chickens survived. Photos of the Brown Goshawk in the chicken run.

A bit about scythes- why I like mowing with one, and why you might like it, too.

Whether you choose to install a scarecrow to protect your plants from pesky critters, or just want to decorate your yard (or porch) for autumn, building a scarecrow is easy with a few simple supplies.

Find the best tree saw for any job around your backyard or garden. Pruning, tree cutting, clearing fallen branches or just keeping...

Find out how the top string trimmers match up in power, weight, and amenities. If you use or are buying a string trimmer, this comparison will help you know which string trimmer to buy.

Splitting firewood by hand can be really fun, and is a great source of exercise. Read on to learn about five different types of hardwood trees & how they stack up to one another in terms of heating, cooking, and split-ability.

Does your trimmer line get tangled, snap off and wind you up? Read on for tips on how to wind the spool properly and use a trimmer like a pro...........

Let me show you how to make a beautiful goldfish pond that will give your property such added beauty and be such a wonder for you, your family and friends to enjoy for years to come!

It's frustrating when you go to do your cutting and the brush cutter won't start. Here are things you can do that will get your string trimmer working again without taking it in for repair.

Rhododendrons are plants with large and beautiful flowers that have a wide variety of colors. Both cultivated and wild species of the genus Rhododendron exist. The genus includes azaleas.

If you've been to a cemetery to visit a loved one, you probably noticed many stones, especially older ones, in desperate need of repair or at least a good cleaning. There are specific to dos and not to dos, when cleaning a headstone. The steps provided here will take you through cleaning a stone without harming it further.

Most people hate crabgrass. Advertisers teach us to when they promote their many products for killing it. Although it has benefits and farmers love it, homeowners would much rather be rid of it.

Are you looking to replace your fence, or install a new one? There are many types of fencing materials out there, and each has its pros and cons. Decide which type of fence is right for your home.

This article includes beautiful photos and factual information about Mimosa trees as well as the ground cover called mimosa strigillosa, also known as mimosa powderpuff, or mimosa sunshine.

In this hub, I teach you how to make your own latex mold for garden ornaments. It is fairly simple to do and does not require any fancy equipment.

The best formal hedge plants are twiggy and grow back quickly after pruning. Get an overview of the most popular and versatile hedging plants in the US.

The striped maple grows throughout Southeastern Canada, the Northeastern United States, and Appalachia.

Planting native is a great way to support a healthy earth, but it can look messy and ugly if you don't use basic design principles. Here we discuss color, texture, scale, and line.

Well-planned landscapes have an overall "look" to them that can be classified as a style. This article introduces native styles from around the world that are considered exotic in other locales.

A How-to guide for avoiding garden problems in the future by planning in advance. Suggestions on making wise choices for your landscape design.

Looking for a top notch cordless garden trimmer or weed whacker? This article gives some recommendations on power requirements, models and the best brands to check out.

Finding easy care grasses for small lawns so homeowners can enjoy life more is rating high on DIY lists. Use this handy-dandy guide to help determine which grass suits your needs.

If you love a beautiful garden, there's no reason not to extend its beauty all year long. Create interest in the winter landscape by planting these trees and shrubs that appeal in the coldest months.

Unused outbuildings can be the perfect place to put a sauna. Here is how my family converted a small outbuilding into a sauna, with step by step descriptions.

Think twice before cutting the lower limbs from evergreens. Limbing up the trees may seem like a good idea at the time, but it may introduce problems.

A pole hedge trimmer is the perfect tool for taller and bigger hedges. Which is best: cordless, electric, or gas? Should you buy or rent? Find the best models here.

Learn how to quickly and easily clear up green pond water.

When you apply the three pillars of sustainability in your landscape design––ecological, economic, and social––you prepare your landscape to survive hard times and thrive in your natural locale. How is your garden doing?

Learn about starting a mower properly, solving fuel, oil and ignition system problems, carburetor fault finding and lots more troubleshooting tips.

Residential landscaping doesn’t require a ton of money. You just have to be creative and put some thought into your choices. Find out how your yard can be the envy of the neighborhood without draining your bank account.

Many people think a backyard pond is just too much work, or they don't have enough space. Neither of these things are true. You can get a pond to fit any size and its just a matter of digging to put it in....and have your own backyard water feature!

The Amur maples are tolerant and mostly free from pests, but they are still sometimes prone to pests and other diseases which if not looked after can even kill the tree.

First of all a let me say this; fruit trees do not need to be pruned to produce fruit. The fruit production of a tree is a natural occurrence which ensures the survival of a tree. That means a gardener may choose not to prune and on that note why...

A general beginner's guide to the most cold hardy palms for planting in USDA zone 5, 6, and 7 gardens, and how one can expect the plant to perform after a complete winter.

Wheelbarrows get old, but that doesn't necessarily mean they must be replaced. Here's how one common model was rejuvenated instead.

This guide provides some tips on what to look out for when buying walk behind push lawn mowers. It covers topics such as lawnmower type, horsepower, width of cut and deck type

Trees are beautiful additions to any landscape and yard. However not all trees are created equal. Many beautiful trees are prone to shedding not only leaves, but branches, nuts, cones, or other debris throughout the year. Here are five trees that are require a lot of maintenance.

A basic sprinkler system troubleshooting and repair guide for the homeowner. Easy step-by-step diagnostic instructions help simplify most common irrigation system problems.

DIY step-by-step instructions with photos on how to sharpen your lawn mower blade. Save money by sharpening your mower blade yourself.

You see a fish swim past and it has a leech attached. What can you do to rid your pond of leeches without destroying other wildlife? Learn one trick that works to safely destroy leeches.

Create your own waterfall meditation pond. Relax to the soothing sound of water cascading over rocks. You can build your very own private zen garden, a place to escape.

Here is how I removed a tough layer of grass and weed lawn and converted our muddy clay soil to a nice, fluffy garden plot for planting. All without power tools, just my own labor and sturdy tools.

Help save endangered species by making a beautiful frog pond! This easy-to-follow guide will show you how.

In Ohio, our ever-changing spring weather determines when the most popular species of magnolia trees will start to bloom.

A complete guide for the homeowner with a bahiagrass lawn. When properly cared for, this low-maintenance grass creates a lush ground covering that will look good for many years.

Backyard projects like terracing can be intimidating but if you take it step by step, you can save money by doing it yourself.

To summarize my review of the DR Lawn and Leaf Vacuum, I would have to give it an A. I think it is built very well and will last a very long time. It is easy to use and is a huge time saver!

String trimmers, also known as line trimmers, weed eaters, weed whackers, and strimmers, can be troublesome garden tools. Difficulty in starting is often due to an issue with the carburetor.

Having a small yard does not mean that you can't plant trees. Many trees grow no larger than 30 feet, and many shrubs can stand in for trees. Here is a list of small trees and tall shrubs for your landscaping.

Cities across the nation are passing ordinances that make gas-powered leaf blowers illegal to use. This is a boon for those of us who work from home, but what are the alternatives for gardeners?

These low-maintenance groundcovers grow thickly and spread quickly to choke out weeds.

Do you think your maple tree's health may be suffering? I've provided an overview of thirteen common ailments that frequently affect maple trees.

If you are looking to save money and help save the environment, think about mowing your grass with a reel mower like the Husqvarna Evolution.

These two plants are often found together in nature, but one is poisonous and the other is edible. This article helps you identify and differentiate these two, in every stage of growth. Many photos!

Mowing, weeding, and fertilizing bring lush, green grass to yards and landscapes. In Ohio, lawn grass needs constant care to keep turf healthy.

An electric start feature makes mowing so much easier and more convenient. Here is my top 3 list regarding the best electric start lawn mowers currently available.

Manual pole pruners keep you safe on the ground, allow you to see clearly what you are doing and often have greater reach than gas or electric rivals...

How to plant and divide hardy water lilies for bigger blooms.

If you want to build or create a fishing lake this article will tell you virtually everything you need to know to ensure your project is successful.

A presentation of different solutions to hillside erosion and approaches to landscape in these areas with a focus on plants that sustain wildlife.

Here below are the steps on how to build a greenhouse with PVC. The choice of PVC piping material as used in electrical conduits and water pipes is specifically targeted to low income people in developing countries since the PVC materials are...

Shrubs offer privacy and can screen unattractive house foundations. Shrubs add color and texture to your view. Learn how to chose the right shrub for your area, with photos and helpful links.

Here's how I gave new life to an ancient apple tree destined to be chopped down. Apple tree care includes pruning, mulching and pest control.