Outdoors

The deck is supposed to be a hugely positive addition to your home. It becomes harder to say that when the deck boards you used are looking worn down or are just plain broken.

Almost every kitchen has eggs in it. After you crack eggs, you may set them aside for your compost, or simply toss them in the trash. Moving forward, consider crushing them up and adding them to your soil.

Your new Trex composite deck is finished and has been a joy all summer long. With winter approaching, you begin to wonder about maintaining your deck. With ice and snow on the way, your Trx decking can become a hazardous place. A legitimate question is whether ice melt products are safe for your Trex decking.

With a name like burning bush, it’s no surprise this stunning plant has beautiful colors in autumn. These plants have plentiful blueish-green leaves in the spring and summer months. In the fall, however, they turn bright orange to deep red.

One of the most underrated fast-growing flowers on the planet is the nasturtium. These reddish orange blooming flowers can be planted indoors from seed in late winter, and bloom in the spring. If you live in a warmer climate, they will grow back every year. 

Water damage, humidity, and darkness are the main causes of mold in a garage. Garages are typically dark, as they’re often closed the majority of the time. This, paired with humidity and spills, creates the perfect conditions for mold to grow.

Perennials go dormant by early-to-mid fall in most climates. It depends on the temperature and how quickly it gets cold where you live. The process is often slow, and perennials begin their dormant stage between late August and mid-September in most places.

Creating pathways outside your home can inspire both practical and whimsical journeys, depending on how they are designed. No matter what your vision, the odds are there will be a point you realize one of your outdoor walkways could use some additional lighting. As you prepare to purchase pathway lights for your home, you are bound to ask yourself how many pathway lights you need, and how much space you should leave between each of them.

You move into a new house, you are sleeping peacefully in your bed, and then ‘CRACK!”. A loud sound like a gunshot pierces through your dreams, shooting you out of bed. No, there aren’t any prowlers on your property or fireworks going off. It’s just your deck, adjusting to the freezing cold temperature.

Are you tired of spending your time chopping your wood with an ax? Then you might want to look at getting a log splitter. A log splitter is a tool that is used to cut the wood into a sharpened wedge.

A lot of homeowners these days prefer composite decking over traditional wood decking, and there are definitely some advantages associated with using composite decking. But if you’ve just installed a composite deck—and now you want to make some adjustments DIY—you’ll have to know which kind of saw blade is best for cutting decking.

When I was younger, I quickly realized that I don’t want to have a front lawn simply because I didn’t want to mow the lawn. When I heard about artificial grass, I was pretty thrilled.

After cleaning up at home and getting rid of several items, you may be left with a big stack of wood. To be more specific, you may find several planks of pressure-treated wood. You obviously don’t want those old pieces of wood cluttering up your home so you must dispose of them.

Building a fence can be a huge project to undertake and takes a lot of planning, but many Florida homeowners choose to have fences. Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a fencing company, there is some considerable preparation involved. One of the biggest obstacles to deal with is whether or not you need a permit to build a fence in Florida.

For the most part, the door to our garage does its job, and we think nothing more of it. But when it suddenly stops after only opening a few inches, it can create more than a few questions. Namely, “Why is this happening, and how do I fix it?”

It’s easy to stop thinking about your lawn in the winter. The grass has probably stopped growing, and it may even be covered in snow for months. While it’s true you don’t need to spend as much time maintaining your lawn in the coldest months of the year, there are still plenty of ways you can show your lawn some love in the winter.

If you are a dedicated gardener or landscaper, you know the misery of a leaking garden hose. The couplings may be damaged to the point that they may need replacement. In some cases, a puncture or tear requires the removal of a section of the garden hose. What are the best garden hose repair kits for these jobs?

Your compost pile should be wet, but it shouldn’t exceed 60% water. Ideally, you should maintain between 40% to 60% water content for your compost pile. The microbial organisms within your compost pile need at least some water to thrive.

Exposed tree roots can pose a tripping hazard in extreme cases, which turns some homeowners off. Others simply cannot stand the visual, as it can throw off the aesthetic and curb appeal in their yard. That’s why you’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered how to cover tree roots that are protruding above ground.

A home isn’t a home without a foundation that can support it safely and without incident. However, factors such as cracks, heat, moisture, and roots can weaken your foundation to where it isn’t safe. The only option is to install a root barrier to make it safe, but what should you expect to pay for installation?

Squirrels are cute critters that can be surprisingly determined. When that determination is focused on tearing up your flower pots, it can feel like a nightmare. Squirrels can seriously damage your potted flowers to the point where the life of the flower may hang in the balance.

If you don’t have a garage, nobody can blame you for worrying about your car this winter. After all, it will be left exposed to the elements, the worst of which includes snow and ice. You’re not alone if you want to know how to protect your car from ice and snow without a garage.

One of the best ways to soothe the unbearable allergic reaction associated with poison ivy is to apply calamine lotion. This lotion is derived from the calamine mineral. It is pink in color and is one of the most popular lotions to treat itching associated with ailments like chicken pox, mosquito bites, and even sunburn.

Ferns are considered some of the oldest living plants on the earth and they can be grown outdoors in your garden or indoors as houseplants. They are a leafy type of plant with leaves (fronds) that drape, adding beauty and a touch of drama to any setting. Most indoor varieties are relatively simple to grow and care for. When planted outdoors, ferns are an excellent choice for ground cover in the proper conditions.

Popping up an outdoor canopy is a great way to make outdoor gatherings more comfortable. Canopies offer shade, protect you from unexpected rain, and keep you from otherwise canceling certain events because of the weather. Although you can find canopies in various sizes and styles, the primary consideration is straight leg vs. slant leg canopies.

Nothing quite says summer like biting into an ear of fresh, sweet corn on the cob. This vegetable is perfect for a cookout or popped to make popcorn. Corn is one of the most popular vegetables, and for a good reason. But all too often, casual gardeners do not believe that they have the time, resources, or space to dedicate to this plant.

If you have banana plants in your yard, then you know how quickly these tropical trees spread. Each banana plant can produce several bunches of tasty bananas each year. When they aren’t making fruit, these plants grow giant green leaves. In addition to being great to look at, you can use banana leaves in ways you may never have thought of.

Nothing is more frustrating than starting a piece of lawn equipment and finding it won’t work. Frustration can be a minor factor if the problem is expensive equipment like garden tractors. One issue that constantly comes up is a Craftsman lawn tractor that won’t go forward or reverse.

Strange odors in your home can be alarming, especially if it smells like a flammable substance such as gasoline. Gasoline is a part of everyday life for the average homeowner or commuter, but you never expect your house to smell like it. So, why does your house smell like gasoline?

Stihl is one of the leading names in power tools and lawn equipment due to its ease of use and quality. Whether it be a weed eater, chainsaw, or leaf blower, the average homeowner can easily use one of Stihl’s tools. However, sometimes getting a leaf blower started can be a hurdle at first, so what should you do?

Creating a beautiful space in your garage is a wonderful option to update not only your home but also enhance the longevity and durability of your garage floor. Both garage floor stain and epoxy are excellent choices for your home, and both have a litany of desirable benefits that make each a superb choice.

A solar cover is a great addition to your heated or non-heated pool. If your pool has a heater, you will have to retain all the heat you can. If it is heated, saving heat with a solar cover is a great way to save money.

A lush lawn is a huge part of how you and others will perceive your home. Planting and nourishing grass takes a lot of work before you can enjoy a beautiful, green lawn. So, will grass seed germinate on top of soil?

There’s nothing like a healthy, green lawn, and I always want it to look that way. But, I never knew what time was right to stop watering it.

It can take up to 100 days for tomato plants to bear fruit. The timeline depends on factors such as sunlight exposure and your watering habits. Germination, the first stage, takes up to 8 days before tomato plants stay in the early growth phase for 4-5 weeks.

One of the easiest ways that anyone can try to remove dirt from underneath fingernails involves warm water and time. After gardening, prepare a large bowl, or plug your sink, and add warm or hot water, whatever is more comfortable for you. 

Planning a garden and decorating your landscape come along with many responsibilities and nuances. Even simply choosing the best type of mulch for your yard can be tricky, especially if you don’t know how they differ. So, what is the difference between organic mulch and regular mulch?

It’s a bad idea to put indoor plants in soil from your outdoor garden. There’s always a good chance that the soil is infested with pests. Ideally, you should buy a fresh bag of soil that you only use when it’s time to set up your houseplants. 

Many homeowners understandably wait as long as possible to quit grilling for the year. After all, they most likely want to get the most out of their grill. However, a grill can be damaged if you wait too long to winterize it.

Whether it be seed trays and squirrel baffles or basic maintenance, it’s easy to keep pests away from bird feeders. Through trial and error, we found the best ways to protect bird feeders from pests, such as:

Every home needs a beautiful deck.  A place to cookout with friends or just sit outside and relax. If you want to build your own deck, you need to do it right. The best way to make a perfect deck is to stagger the deck boards.

Privacy fences and decorative fencing are all the rage these days. People value their landscaping and privacy more than ever, which means that fences are becoming very popular. One of the most popular types of fencing is fences made of vinyl.

A fence is an extension of the home, and many builder-owners carefully choose the best fit for their own house. One of the most timeless and attractive options is the split rail fence, and it is the choice of many homeowners. Some builder-owners want split rail fences for the visual, and others want them for practical reasons, but what do they cost?

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.

Azaleas are arguably among the south’s most favorite flowering plants. Despite their reputation as being rather finicky, these stunning shrubs are simple to grow when you understand their basic requirements.

If you want to update your outdoor space, building an outdoor kitchen is the way to go. If you’re going to have a luxurious outdoor experience, you’ll need to have the right design. Use this as a guide to create the perfect dimensions for your outdoor kitchen.

When winter gives way to spring, it’s time to clean up the outside for garden and barbecue get-togethers.  As you begin mowing unruly patches of grass, dead leaves, and the occasional twig, your lawnmower simply stops.  

A greenhouse lets homeowners expand their gardening capabilities and extend their growing season. However, a greenhouse can also attract many pests looking for shelter and food sources, including snakes. You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered how to keep snakes out of your greenhouse.

One key factor to remember is that English gardens are inspired by gardens from more than a hundred years ago. In those times, everything in the garden was natural and often handmade. 

For many homeowners, choosing the grade of oil they use in their lawn mower can be tricky. A common oil grade that people use in their lawn mower is SAE30. However, many people wonder whether or not they can swap out the SAE30 in favor of 10W30.

Nothing is as annoying as going to water your plants and finding out that deer have been nibbling on them. This can hinder plant growth and will continue to happen until you address the problem. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with how to keep deer away from plants.

There are many reasons to separate your yard from the yard next door. Neighbors invading your space or needing more privacy are common reasons. Sometimes people feel the need to clearly define their property line, which is never a bad idea.

As you’re getting ready to build your own deck, you may come across mentions of wet wood. Whether it’s from a rainstorm the night before or the natural water content in the material, wet wood is a common problem. Can you build a deck with wet wood?

One of the most common reasons why seeds in your vegetable garden don’t sprout is a lack of watering. Just like established plants, seeds need consistent watering. Vegetables like moist soil. Not soaking wet, but moist.

Flowering plants and trees can have a considerable impact on your landscaping and overall curb appeal. Crape Myrtle trees are very popular, but with many different varieties, it can be difficult to know which to choose. Between the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle and Dynamite Crape Myrtle, which is the best for your lawn?

Gone are the days of standing outside with a hose to water your grass. Automatic sprinkler systems keep your lawn green without ever having to leave your house!

Pellet guns are an affordable and effective option for target practice. They are also good for teaching youth about gun safety and people learning how to use a gun. What they may or may not be, however, is legal in every state, situation, or backyard.

A bug or animal’s appearance doesn’t necessarily tell you whether or not it’s good for your garden. After all, some scary-looking snakes and lizards are harmless, whereas some cute bugs are poisonous. So, are skinks good for your garden?

Maintaining a garden is a big responsibility, as you must keep up with maintenance. Of course, watering is the biggest chore, and you may worry about how much water you waste each day. You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered how to conserve water in the garden.

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.