Outdoors

Growing a bonsai tree is an ancient art that requires some skill and patience. While this process takes time, many find the art of bonsai a relaxing and even mediation task. Its reward is in the work and in the beautiful miniature giant that this work slowly shapes. If you are interested in creating your own bonsai tree, one of the first questions you are likely to ask yourself is “how long does it take to grow a bonsai tree?” 

To ensure that your lawnmower is functioning properly, you need to take good care of each of its parts. Doing so will lengthen the life of your mower and help you get more out of the time you spend using it.

Having an irrigation system in place is important, especially if you’re looking to keep your grass green during the dry seasons. However, it’s important that you choose the right one for your yard or whatever it is that you need an irrigation system for. Price is an important aspect of this. So, how much does an irrigation system cost?

So, you went to your friend’s house the other night for some backyard conversation and wine and fell in love with their yard. It was relaxing and comfortable, and those string lights in their trees were the perfect finishing touch. Now you want to hang string lights in your backyard, but you don’t have any trees.

Lavender is an enduring herb that’s easy to grow if you provide enough sunlight. Plant lavender in an unobstructed area where it can get up to 8 hours of sunlight each day. That said, lavender can handle partial shade in hot climates, as that stops the soil from drying out.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, and with that comes the need for convenient and accessible charging options. Installing a home electric car charger is a great solution for many EV owners.

Whether it be a collection of houseplants or an outdoor garden, plants can trigger allergies and asthma. Most plants produce pollen and many of them even release spores that can irritate some people. Understandably, many homeowners with allergies and/or asthma, want to know the best plants to have.

When it comes to purchasing a new snow blower, you’ll find that there are plenty of options available to choose from. For this reason, it can be a challenge to narrow down the choices and pick just one. For starters, you have to make the choice between a snow blower that has tracks and one that has wheels.

Everyone wants a lawn that looks beautiful. It instantly increases the curb appeal. A well-manicured lawn guarantees that you’re not the only yard on the block that looks bad. While no one wants their house to be an eyesore, there is a learning curve to maintaining your grass seed while you attempt to eliminate bald spots on your lawn.

Owning a Honda self-propelled lawnmower makes it easy to cut your grass quickly. However, over time, your mower will need routine maintenance and care. One of the most crucial elements to pay attention to is the drive belt. In some cases, this belt can come loose, which means that you’ll have to adjust the tension by tightening it.

Many homeowners mistakenly give up on planting new flowers when summer comes to an end. You can plant flowers as late as September and even October. Follow along if you struggle with what to plant in September.

With winter well on its way, those icy driveways and sidewalks are soon to come. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to drive on an icy driveway. You may be tempted to try any type of salt, but not all salts are the same.

Working the land is something that must be done, to maintain properties. When it comes to larger 1 acre + properties, you can’t always take care of it, with just a push mower, by yourself. Landscaping companies charge different prices. So, we have found the average price, and cost, to cut 1 acre of grass.

The sight of weeds is enough to ruin the perfect picture of your beautiful yard and garden. By summer, weeds are in full force, so it’s important to treat the root (literally) of the problem throughout the spring. Many homeowners understandably struggle with how to prevent weeds in the spring.

There’s no denying that energy costs are out of control, getting higher and higher year after year. Utility costs tend to rise right along with the rising outdoor temperatures. Therefore, it’s not surprising that people want to reduce the heat entering their homes so that they can lower their bills. A popular method is planting trees to save on air conditioning. But this only works if you know where to plant them.

If you use a push lawnmower, one of the components that can help you work  faster and more efficiently is the throttle cable. Although many modern mowers use an automatic throttle, older machines mostly used the cable. Unfortunately, this piece can break over time, which means that you have to buy a replacement.

Pool liners are what separate your pool’s water from the rest of the world. They are a mainstay when it comes to your pool’s ability to contain water well. In fact, you kind of need to have a pool liner that’s fully functional in order to properly swim in your pool. When you have a hole in your liner, it’s normal to have a need to patch things up. It’s clear that you are going to need to fix holes, but how big is too big to fix?

A swimming pool is high maintenance, but it is worth the work for the luxury it affords in hot weather. It is critical that you consistently add chlorine and shock the water to kill germs. So, why is it that the chlorine in your pool simply disappears?

Although there are multiple crucial components inside a riding lawnmower, one of the most vital is the blade drive belt. This piece is responsible for turning the blades, so your machine would be little more than a tractor without it. If you own a Craftsman lawnmower, you will have to learn how to maintain your belts so that they last longer.

The sun is shining bright, and the days are becoming longer. That can only mean that summer is close upon us. Summer is filled with outdoor barbeques and parties by the pool. Maybe you have a little sitting area outside, like on a deck or a gazebo, that you prefer to sit and read quietly. However, when that sun is shining so bright that you cannot enjoy the summer months, you may want to invest in some shades.

Smoking food is a popular activity, particularly in the summertime. Throughout the years, most smoking would be done in an outdoor smoker using wood of some flavor profile. But in recent years, electric smokers have become more and more popular.

Today, sheds have become a lot more than just a place to toss some tools. While many people use sheds for storage, they can also become backyard retreats, playrooms, and even tiny homes. When it comes to Tuff Shed sheds, you’re likely to find them as any one of these and much more. 

Trees swings are an excellent addition to homes for kids, as well as one of the most “ San Francisco” things you can add to a backyard. As long as you have a stable tree, you should be able to hang a tree swing with ease. Of course, most people have trees that have branches that sit parallel to the ground. What do you do, then, if you want to hang a swing on an angled branch?

A neighbor who has experience with chainsaws borrowed yours a couple of weeks ago for some yard work. When he returned the chainsaw, he put it back up on the shelf for you. Now, you plan to do some trimming in the yard, so you haul down the chainsaw. But wait a minute.

It’s no secret that butterflies are highly beneficial to any garden. They can help contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem, and they are great to look at. Luckily, there are many easy ways to attract butterflies to your garden.

Metal sheds or sheds with metal roofs can be a giant magnet for condensation. When the metal is cold, and the temperature outside isn’t, the warm air rises and creates moisture on the roof and walls of a shed. This can cause damage to the structure itself, along with anything that’s inside. 

Lawn care is often more complicated than many people realize. There are many invasive plants that look similar to desirable plants that you’d actually want in your lawn. For instance, St. Augustine grass and crabgrass look almost the same, but they are two very different plants.

Lawn mowers can be quite expensive, and this leaves many homeowners apprehensive to buy a new one. You have likely noticed that the cost of a lawn mower is quite high during spring and summer. So, when is the best time of year to buy a lawn mower?

Cornhole is a summertime favorite. Friends and family come together to grill, enjoy the sun, and play this summer classic. Buying cornhole boards is an easy thing to do and you can even find some that are customizable with a favorite sports team or design. Others want to create their own cornhole boards.

If you were recently gifted or purchased a cedar plank for cooking, you are probably wondering exactly how to use it. The first question you probably have is how to put the cedar wood in the oven without catching it on fire. This likely leads you to wonder if you need to soak your cedar plank before cooking with it, and if so, for how long?

Troy-Bilt makes a series of outdoor power tools and yard care equipment. They are one of the most recognizable and trusted names currently in the industry. Their line of trimmers and mowers are particularly revered.

If you’ve ever experienced a failure of your air conditioning system, then you know how uncomfortable a hot house can be. Plus, when you finally do get your unit up and running again, you still have to wait for things to cool down.

Early fall is the best time to bring plants inside in most climates. Some homeowners even bring their plants indoors as early as August. It’s a great idea to bring many of your plants inside once the low temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

When I first found out that pool filters contained sand, my mind was blown. I immediately made the (wrong) assumption that pool filter sand is the same as the sand found in playgrounds and sandboxes. While the two are fairly similar, the fact is that they are very different. It makes sense, too. Did you ever wonder what the biggest differences are between these two sand types, and why you can’t use play sand in a pool filter?

Spring looms like a faint light on the horizon that grows stronger every day, and this brightening light serves as a friendly reminder that gardening season will soon be upon us. When planting a vegetable garden, planning in the late winter and early spring can make all the difference in yielding a bountiful crop of vegetables in the summer. To ensure you are taking care of all your needs in advance, it is important to know all the common vegetable garden mistakes you should avoid this spring.

Because lawnmowers are intricate pieces of machinery, they require upkeep and regular maintenance. One element that has to withstand a lot of wear and tear is the clutch. This component is what drives the mower blades. So, if you have a faulty PTO clutch, it will likely need to be replaced.

If there’s one thing that mold loves more than anything, it’s humidity. While humidity is great for houseplants, it can do just as much harm as good. Your grow room is at high risk of mold problems if the humidity level exceeds 55% to 60%.

Whether you’re growing palm trees in your yard or a small palm plant inside your home, you likely selected them to enjoy their magnificent, lush green fronds. When palm trees flourish they are reminiscent of paradise and island getaways but have you noticed the leaves of your palm tree turning yellow?

As a mom of two, I’ve taken my boys to many a playground. Sometimes they come home with wood stuck to their socks. Other times, they have bits of rubber in their shoes.

Finding dry and withering leaves on your favorite plants can be discouraging to any homeowner who takes pride in their garden. Dried-out plants may appear dead and ugly, but that doesn’t always mean that they are. Can dried-out plants be revived?

When you are ready to go for a swim in your pool, there is nothing better than seeing the sun reflected in its crystal clear surface. However, over time you may begin to notice stains beginning to build up in your pool to dull its shine. A quick acid wash could restore the beauty of your pool, but will it damage your fiberglass pool?

A swimming pool can be a terrific investment due to the value it adds and just how useful it is. If you have a swimming pool at home, you can use it for exercising or cooling down during the summer. Unfortunately, there’s also a chance that your swimming pool may largely go unused.

Power outages are always frustrating for the homeowner. However, they can also cause more than just inconvenience. When the power surges, it can leave your garage stuck open and your belongings vulnerable.

Craftsman is one of the most trusted names in the world for power tools and outdoor tools. They have developed a reputation for creating some of the best, most reliable tools out there regardless of your need.

A drought is a nightmare for homeowners and communities, especially when they aren’t prepared. Droughts can disrupt the ecosystem, harm animals, and kill your garden and lawn that you worked hard to grow. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with how to prepare for a drought.

It’s summertime and that means dragging your trusty lawnmower out of the shed and of course, it won’t start. When it does start, it only does once and never again. Typical!

Choosing the right setup for outdoor lighting can set the tone for someone’s first impression of your home. It can also set the tone for any time that you entertain friends and family, as long as you get it right. Many homeowners have asked themselves: how many lumens do I need for outdoor lighting?

As you grow and expand your property, an outdoor shed can become a wonderful backyard addition. In today’s world, with the rise of minimalistic culture and tiny living, sheds are much more than a place for storing various items. They can be a place to relax, work, cultivate plants, and may even serve as a second home. Fortunately, you aren’t limited to traditional a-frame or barn designs, as there are many different types of sheds to choose from.

Before composite decking entered the market in the late 1990s, there were few alternatives to wood decking. Up until that point, pressure-treated wood was the only genuine alternative for decking.

While many variables affect when you should stop mowing your lawn for the year, there are some rules of thumb you can follow. Generally, you should stop mowing your lawn once the weather consistently dips below 45 degrees. A week of temperatures below 40 degrees almost guarantees you are done mowing for the year.

Gardeners love to plant as many perennials as possible to make their springtime list of chores even easier. Perennials come back year after year and bloom for months at a time, but this only happens if you take good care of them. Many homeowners understandably struggle with how to make sure perennials come back.

If one thing is for sure, it’s that the weather is never certain. Just because it’s springtime doesn’t mean that you should start watering your yard. Use this as a guide to determine the best time to turn on your sprinkler system. 

It can be quite difficult to remove skunk odor from outdoor furniture, especially if it’s upholstered. It can be an unpleasant process, but you can clean outdoor furniture that’s been sprayed by a skunk with some household items. All it takes is some dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar.

A pergola is a wonderful and show-stopping outdoor structure that provide sshade and opulence. It also gives you additional usable space in your backyard. Most pergolas look lovely on their own, but a lot of these structures can benefit from a bit of plant life. While some people opt to garden along the borders of a pergola, to truly bring some charm and whimsy to your pergola, you should introduce a vine or creeping plant.

Primer bulbs are key components of most new gasoline lawnmower engines. The small plastic bulb plays a vital role in getting the fuel to the carburetor. You may notice that your lawnmower primer bulb has a hole.

A functional garage is essential for many homeowners. Whether it is used to store essentials, or it is meant to keep a car protected from various forms of climate weather, the garage is irreplaceable. So it is understandable you want to keep your garage in top shape, which might include some necessary improvements from time to time.

Spring is the most exciting time of year for anybody with a green thumb. The excitement and possibilities of picking out plants and planting seeds are incredible. However, it can be disconcerting when you discover moldy soil in your garden or potted plants. So, is moldy soil bad?

Whenever the generator is removed from an electrical system, it needs to be polarized prior to reinstallation. Polarization is the process of matching the current flow to the electrical system before connecting the generator. Generators can produce either a positive or negative current, but most electrical systems are designed to accept a current flowing in one direction.

One personal and easy gift you can make using herbs from your garden is to create spice rubs and signature herb blends using plants from your garden. The reason this gift is so personal is that you can take your spice blend in any direction you want.

There are many reasons why you may need to drain your pool. You may want to add fresh water or prevent overflow from an impending storm. While it is possible to drain water out of your pool without a pump, adding a pump to the process can make things faster and easier.