Landscaping
Review of the Omote Cordless Leaf Blower
I was searching for a cordless blower suitable for sweeping away the leaves that litter my front porch, driveway, and sidewalk. The Omote OM-1207, which features an airflow capacity of 177 cubic feet per minute, appeared to be an excellent choice.
How to Plant Winter Ryegrass for a Green Lawn All Year Long
Winter ryegrass is easy to plant and, in some climates, will stay green throughout the winter. Here's how to plant hardy winter ryegrass for an enviable green lawn year round.
The Three Best Budget Electric Weed Eaters for Your Yard
Here are descriptions and comparisons of the three best electric weed eaters recommended by four top sources. If you're in the market for a weed eater, check these out first.
Should You Upgrade to a Battery-Powered Lawn Mower?
Tired of the fumes, noise and fuel that accompanies a gas-powered lawn mower? A battery-powered mower might be for you. It is always best to make an informed decision.
How to Fix a Leaking Waterfall
This article is about how to fix a leaking waterfall. Learn how to find leaks in your waterfall and how to repair them.
How to Remove Small Tree Stumps by Yourself
Have some pesky little stumps between 2 and 10 inches trying to trip you, ruin your lawnmower, or just make your yard unsightly? It's pricey to have them removed, so put on your work clothes and take them out yourself. It's a chore, but one you can tackle and save a bundle.
How to Design Your Garden Like the Zodiac Sign Cancer
The Cancer garden is a haven for those who love summer, the beach, and the moon. They'll plant a variety of fruits and veggies: especially melons. Their flowers will pop with color and diversity. The Cancer garden has a moon gate, gorgeous water features, and seashell mulch to prevent weeds.
Why Are Mushrooms Growing in My Yard?
Mushrooms actually indicate a healthy lawn and are more beneficial than detrimental. Read on to find out how to keep them under control.
How to Design Your Garden Like a Gemini
A Gemini garden should be a place of wonder, beauty, and excitement. There should be a blast of green flora, unusual flowers bobbing in the wind, citrus fruits hanging from branches, and serpentine paths. The Gemini garden is ideal for the meditative thinker and the party host who wants to dazzle.
How to Design Your Garden Like a Taurus
Taurus gardens are beautiful landscapes that mix all the charms of spring—fruits, veggies, and flora—with an appreciation for beauty and romance.
How to Decorate Your Garden Like an Aries
The Aries garden should be a blast of red. It should have a variety of plants, dazzling features, and plenty of entertaining sights for guests. You want your garden to be rich with flowers and fruits. There is also space to play yard games and experiment with an outdoor pizza oven.
How to Grow Healthy Grass the Natural Way
Grass has been growing long before we were around to spray, plow and fertilize it. Let's take a step back to watch nature take its course, and see what happens.
How to Install a DIY PEX Pop-Up Lawn and Garden Sprinkler System
An underground sprinkler system is a great way to help lawns and gardens grow lush and green. Using buried PEX is a cheap and easy way to make watering easier.
How to Build a Multi-Purpose Garden Shed
This multi-purpose garden shed is part greenhouse, part dehydrator shed, and part outdoor kitchen, and this article will show you how to build it.
6 Reasons Why Your Brush Cutter Trimmer Line Breaks
Problems with your trimmer line need to be resolved quickly to keep the work going on the farm. Avoiding and preventing unnecessary trimmer line breakage can save you both time and money. Here are some reasons why your trimmer line breaks and how to avoid these problems in the future.
Different Types of Mulch and Mulching: Which One's Best?
How much mulch is enough? Which mulch is right for your yard? How do you apply it properly? Learn the answers to these questions along with the many benefits of mulch.
Garden Tours Spark Inspiration, Relaxation, and Conversation
The next time you find yourself in a rut, take a walk and see what nature has to offer. Be inspired by what gardeners are doing to enhance our environment. Strike up a conversation. Take the knowledge you gain home with you. Create your own backyard oasis.
Greenworks 40V Cordless String Trimmer: Pros and Cons From an Owner
I love my Greenworks cordless trimmer! I've been replacing all of my garden tools with lithium-battery-based units by Greenworks, and found their 40V works much better than their 60V.
How to Build a Low-Maintenance Garden Storage Shed From Steel Cladding
A diary detailing the various stages of construction of my new garden shed over a two-year period from 2015 to 2017. Covering construction of the frame, sheeting the walls and roof, making the door and adding facias.
Need Extra Space? Add a Finished Shed to Your Yard
This article will break down how we put together our shed and what you need to know to build your own.
Great Plant Ideas for Your Poolside Landscape Design
Learn what to consider when designing a plant bed near your swimming pool. This poolside landscaping can create a lush, luxurious environment for lounging and enjoying your pool retreat for seasons to come!
Top 5 Central Florida Lawn Pests and Tips
A guide to help central Florida homeowners with lawn pest infestations. Insect damage can quickly give a green lawn unsightly brown spots. Learn to detect pests and treat your lawn.
How to Multi-Zone a Robotic Lawnmower
Many cheaper robotic lawnmowers are limited to single zoning a lawn (boundary wire). I briefly explain single zoning and its limitations and give a step-by-step guide with photos to a simple and inexpensive method for multi-zoning your lawn by using a 2-way switch to create 2 circuits.
Protect Building Foundations by Rainscaping
In this article, I cover the work I did to rainscape; working the landscape to direct rainwater, at Grace Community Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Turn an Ordinary Outdoor Shed Into the Ultimate She Shed
A common outdoor shed can be turned into your very own sanctuary for gardening, relaxing, crafting, and entertaining.
How to Dethatch Your Lawn
Dethatching or removing thatch buildup from your lawn is a simple process. An improved appearance and healthier lawn is the result!
Top 7 Tips to Protect Your Koi During a Power Failure
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 to be prepared.
Instructions for Making a Scarecrow
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! All you need are a few simple supplies.
How to Build a Fire Pit
Few things are as cozy on an autumn night as gathering around a fire pit. Even when the weather isn't chilly, I can’t wait to get the kids outside to just relax around a fire.
Characteristics of a Healthy Lawn
Homeowners take pride in a good looking lawn for good reason. A healthy lawn doesn’t happen without effort, but it doesn’t need to be as labor-intensive as some people make it out to be. Here are tips for helping your yard look perfect.
Black & Decker LST540 Brushless String Trimmer Review
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. Let's see how it held up.
How to Make a Latex Mold for Garden Ornaments
In this article, I teach you how to make your own latex mold for concrete or plaster garden ornaments. It is fairly simple to do and does not require any fancy equipment.
How to Prevent Flooding in the Home and Yard
Minimize water damage or avert it altogether 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 to Care for a Bahiagrass Lawn
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.
Everything You Need to Know About Striped Maple Trees
The striped maple grows throughout Southeastern Canada, the Northeastern United States, and Appalachia. Here, you'll find tips for planting, caring for, and growing these lovely trees.
Caring for Ohio Lawn Grass
Mowing, weeding, and fertilizing ushers in lush, green grass to yards and landscapes. In Ohio, lawn grass needs constant care to keep turf healthy.
Ohio’s Blooming Magnolia Trees
In Ohio, our ever-changing spring weather determines when the most popular species of magnolia trees will start to bloom. Read on to learn about the magnolia trees in Ohio.
How to Care for the Burning Bush Plant
If you are looking to add spectacular color in your garden landscape, consider adding the flaming red “burning bush” that changes from dark green to bright red almost overnight.
How to Care for St. Augustine Grass
A guide for Southern homeowners who choose St. Augustine grass as a ground cover. Includes an easy-to-follow lawn care schedule.
Reviews of Exmark, Ferris, Dixie Chopper, and Kubota Commercial Zero-Turn Mowers
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.
How to Kill Crabgrass in Your Lawn Naturally
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.
How to Grow Green Grass Successfully
Wondering how to grow grass? Most lawn grasses in the U.S. come from Europe, but the weather in the U.S. is different. Learn tips on how to grow grass lawns to make them lush and attractive year round.
Lawn Care Maintenance: Seven Tasks for Fall
In maintaining a healthy lawn, there are certain tasks that are seasonal—like planting new grass in the spring, not the fall. Here are seven lawn maintenance tasks to carry out in the fall for a healthy lawn.
Microclimates Are in Your Yard
A microclimate is a good thing to know about if you plan to put a plant in the garden and want it to thrive.
DIY Fishing Gear Storage Shed With Solar Battery Charger
I built my own solar battery-charged shed to hold my fishing gear so I don't have to carry it all down to the pond with me. Here's what I did (with photos and instructions).
How to Decide What Type of Fence to Install on Your Property
Are you in the market for a new fence? It can be daunting to choose from the many different fence types available. Here's how to decide which materials are right for your home.
Best Hedge Trimmers: Corded, Cordless, and Gas
Keeping a yard neat and tidy means keeping the bushes and shrubs under control. In my experience, these selected hedge trimmers offer excellent value for money.
Troubleshooting a John Deere 445 Garden Tractor
This article is about my personal experience with troubleshooting a John Deere lawn mower.
Replacing Pavers With Concrete
What's involved with taking out a patio of pavers and replacing it with concrete? Here's how we did our project, with instructions, tips, and photos to show the steps.
Husqvarna Tiller Review
We needed help on our farm, and the Husqvarna tiller was the answer. It is more manageable than a tractor and works well in tight spaces, whilst still rotavating the soil to clear weeds.