Outdoors Gardening

Carpenter bees make nests in wood, and they like wood that’s easy to drill into. Untreated wood happens to be one of their favorite types of wood for building their nests. If you have a deck or unstained fence made of wood, then that’s a lot of surface area that carpenter bees can turn into a home.

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 no secret that dogs are sensitive to sounds, and that’s why dog whistles are a big part of canine training. You can use sound to deter dogs with an ultrasonic device. Ultrasonic devices produce sounds that deter dogs, cats, snakes, deer, rabbits, and many pests. 

Building a fence along your property line has many potential benefits. It adds privacy to your yard, reduces noise, and keeps your pets safe. While there are many reasons to build a fence, the act of installing one along your property line can cause friction with your neighbors. To avoid conflicts when you install a fence, consider ways to keep your neighbors calm and happy.

One great reason to plant lemongrass is that it is a fairly low-maintenance herb to grow in your garden. As long as you have a sunny area with well-draining soil, then your lemongrass should thrive.

As a fan of retrowave music, I am a palm tree fan by default. I love palm trees. As in, I actually want to move to California as a result of them having palm trees. I wish I was joking, but I’m not. With that said, it only became recently clear to me how many different types of palm trees there are out there. The palm family is way larger than album art suggests!

When you live in a region with freezing winters, then you're aware the end of fall marks a time of imminent death for many of your outdoor plants. While this is the circle of life for many annuals, it’s possible to save some of your treasured perennials from a cold and bitter end. The key is knowing which plants to bring indoors and which to let perish.

Usually, when mowing your lawn, the biggest problem you have to worry about is the heat and how long it will take to cut the grass. However, sometimes, you might run into more problems. Since lawnmowers are relatively complex machines, they can wear down over time. If you notice that your mower is shutting off or losing power while cutting, it could be a sign of some potentially serious issues.

Although a lawnmower is not likely the most expensive machine you have, it can be relatively costly to repair it. One of the priciest repairs is a broken or bent crankshaft. Unfortunately, it may be better to replace the whole mower instead of fixing it if that does happen.

One of the best places to find cheap or free materials is by searching online marketplaces. Places like Facebook and Craigslist are wonderful resources for those looking for dirt-cheap or even free garden containers.

Summers are getting warmer, and heat waves are more common in many regions around the world. While many plants can handle normal summer heat, the extreme temperatures that accompany a heat wave can stress, burn, and kill even your most resilient plants. If there’s a stretch of hot weather heading your way, you’ll want to know all the ways you can protect your plants from the heat.

Since your home’s lawn will require different amounts of water for different times of the year, it is vital that your sprinkler system is programmed accordingly. It should also be adjusted as needed about once a month.

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?

Whether you’re a farmer or just a homeowner who takes pride in their garden, you likely have a reasonable fear of floods. Flooding creates dangerous road conditions, kills plants, and can quickly erode the soil in your garden. So, can plants survive flooding?

The transmission has a significant role to play, as it adjusts the engine gears for a better drive, movement, and speed in a vehicle. A lawn tractor also needs a decent transmission system for working on various types of terrain. So, should you choose a hydrostatic transmission or a manual?

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.

No homeowner is prepared for the day a tree falls on their roof. Not only is it a terrifying experience, but it’s also the first step in a long and expensive process that involves many phone calls and repairs. Understandably, you’ll want to know what to do if a tree falls on your roof.

Part of the reason why having a riding lawnmower is so beneficial is that you can cut your grass in half the time it would take with a push model. However, because these machines are relatively complex, they can experience a wider array of issues. One problem you may encounter is that the mower will not move while in neutral. If that happens, it can be tough to maneuver the machine, whether you’re trying to store it or roll it to a new spot.

It is illegal to burn leaves in your backyard in some municipalities. States typically don’t enforce bans on burning leaves, and they leave it up to towns and cities. Some municipalities ban leaf burning outright, whereas others require a permit to burn leaves.

If you’ve ever watched your plants slowly die under puddles of rainwater, then you’ve witnessed firsthand the importance of soil drainage. Well-drained soil allows water to pass through and reach the roots of plants. It also prevents root rot and allows oxygen to reach the plants. If the plants in your yard are constantly struggling due to poor soil drainage, you need to find ways to remedy the situation.

I’m blue, da ba dee da ba die… Well, not quite. I’m a fan of blue. My hair is blue, ya know. I like blue decorative items, too. When it comes to finding garden decor that is blue, things get dicey. Not many flowers are blue, at least…not naturally. Want to find out what the most popular blue flowers are?

Slugs may seem kind of cute, but there’s nothing cute about the way they can damage your flowers and leafy greens. They’re quite small, but you wouldn’t be able to tell based on their appetite in the garden. So, why are there so many slugs around my yard?

Few flowers symbolize the dawn of spring more than daffodils. These yellow and orange blossoms are everywhere as soon as winter passes. One reason these spring blooms are so synonymous with the change in seasons is that they are some of the first flowers to sprout from the earth after the ground thaws.

The best way to make money gardening is to propagate your plants and sell cuttings. Gardening has become more popular in the last 4-5 years, and people love to obtain rare plants. Monsteras and philodendrons are especially popular right now, and they are big sellers.

Nothing is worse for bulbs than soggy soil. Soil can become soggy due to overwatering and excessive rain, but it’s often a drainage issue. Some soil simply retains too much water and drains it too slowly.

There are many types of grass, some of which grow better in certain areas. If you find yourself in the middle of choosing between, centipede grass, and St Augustine grass.

You have finally decided to bite the bullet and install that long-awaited irrigation system in your lawn. You are ready to order your materials and the supply house salesman throws you a curve. Do you want SDR21 or Schedule 40 pipe?  What is the difference, and how do you tell?

Millennials are known for their love of avocado toast as well as their love of gardening. It comes as no surprise, then, that many of us are now looking at growing our own avocado trees in hopes of getting a steady influx of avocados for breakfast. Of course, this is only doable in the warmer regions of the United States, and even then, it can take a while for avocado trees to bear fruit.

Weeds find a way of popping out of the tiniest cracks around your home, even if you have a small yard. If you are getting your home ready for guests, you might try pulling weeds in order to have the area looking its best. You will, however, quickly find weed pulling can be back-breaking work. This is where products like Roundup weed killer can come in handy. But how long does it take for Roundup to work?

It is an alarming sound and situation. You have been running your lawnmower over your yard. Suddenly, as you are shutting the Briggs and Stratton engine down, it backfires through the carburetor.

Having live plants around your home can not only be beautiful to look at, but they can help improve your air quality as well. Choosing the right pot for your plant is essential. Something too small can inadvertently cram your plant into a tight living space, which can stunt its growth. But, is there any danger in choosing a pot that is too big for the plant?

Whether you have a residential or commercial sprinkler system, the adjustment procedure will depend on the specific sprinkler heads you have. There are many different types of sprinkler heads, each with slightly different instructions for adjusting their spray pattern.

When your lawn needs leveling and you are short of cash, you can take charge of matters and build your own leveling drag. There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a harrow or thousands of dollars on a garden tractor. In fact, you easily build a leveling drag that you’ll be able to pull yourself.

A weed can be any plant that’s growing where you don’t want it to, like your yard or landscape. One person’s beautiful, natural yard is another person’s eyesore. If your yard is overrun by unwelcome weeds, there are several options to eradicate them.

Garden maintenance takes a lot of time and patience. That’s why many homeowners would do anything to save time in the garden. This is why you’re not alone if you’re wondering how to save time watering your plants.

Keeping a tree stump in the yard can be a physical hazard and just get in the way. Decaying stumps also attract termites and ants, and then they migrate to gardens and the house.

Roses are the oldest flower ever recorded with archaeologists finding a rose fossil from 35 million years ago. In fact, the oldest living rose is more than a thousand years old! There are over two thousand types of roses from short ground cover to large rose bushes and heirloom to wild. That makes answering the question of when roses bloom a difficult one.

If you are working on a home garden, then you know there are endless species of plants to choose from and just as many aesthetics you can hope to achieve. You might already have some plants growing in your garden, or perhaps you have a few plants in mind that you want to introduce to your yard. But make sure that before you bring in a new plant to your garden, you are certain it is not invasive, as there are tons of invasive species out there. Some of them you might not even know are invasive until it’s too late.

Running a greenhouse is expensive, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you’re careful. The trick is to look at each aspect of your greenhouse to find an opportunity to cut costs and boost efficiency. Luckily, we assembled a list of the best budget-friendly greenhouse tips to help you save money.

If you are wondering if ladybugs are really important to your garden, the answer is — absolutely! Ladybugs are an amazing natural pest control. In particular, they love to eat aphids, which are tiny bugs that can kill plants quickly if left unchecked. Each ladybug can eat upwards of 50 of these pests per day.

If you want to find a plant that practically grows without any help, then opt for green onions. Often called scallions, these alliums are popular in sauces, salads, and just about every type of cuisine.

Night-blooming plants are fascinating natural phenomena. While most flowers open up with the sun, there are a few special species that only reveal their true essence in the moonlight. Featuring a few night-blooming plants has several benefits. They attract nocturnal pollinators, offer evening beauty, and often fill your yard with intoxicating aromas. The key is knowing which night-blooming plants are best for your yard.

If you have a garden or potted plants, then you know they need a little extra attention from time to time. In addition to watering your plants on a regular and scheduled basis, potted plants and gardens alike need nutrients for them to grow and thrive. These nutrients are often supplied through compost and store-bought fertilizer, but these costs can add up. You will be happy to know that you can add some household waste to potting soil to provide necessary nutrients.

Peppermint is the king of mint. It is the most widely used, and also the most famous mint variety. It’s found in tea, candy, and even cosmetics. Peppermint has a very high menthol content. Menthol has great natural cooling properties.

Orchids are some of the most beautiful and magical blooming plants in the world. They thrive in seemingly unbelievable conditions, often enjoying the struggle to stay alive. There are thousands of varieties of orchids. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and every imaginable color combination. 

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?

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.

It’s no secret that rain is great for plants, but only in small doses. Heavy rain is nice at first, but it can quickly take a toll on your lawn and garden that can be hard to recover from. Many homeowners understandably struggle with how to save plants from heavy rain.

Holly may be the most iconic colorful winter plant on the planet. Its signature pointed leaves and red berries are a fixture of winter holidays, centerpieces, and even Christmas songs. A holy bush provides shiny green leaves and pops of red all winter long, breathing life into your winter garden.

The most common weeding position is a kneeling position. This is because weeds come out of the ground, so the closer to the ground you are, the easier it is to pull them. What you might not know is that there are several types of kneeling positions, and some are better for your body when weeding than others.

There are riding, push, and self-propelled mowers. There are mowers that self-bag, that have no bags, and that have built-in mulchers. There are high-powered and pricey riding mowers, and more affordable and basic pushing mowers, and seemingly a million different options for mowers in between. While having choices in mowers is a good thing, it also creates more potential for finding lawn tractor brands to avoid.

Your trusted and reliable Briggs and Stratton engine is showing signs of trouble.  You have noticed gas leaking around the air filter.  You begin to wonder if it is time to replace that old engine with a new one.

The thought of a garden having to go a week without water is enough to give any gardener anxiety. However, you can’t let your worries about your garden keep you from taking the vacation that you have needed for a while. So, can you go a week without watering your garden?

If you have acidic soil, one of the best plants to add to your garden is a blueberry bush. Blueberries are tasty and healthy berries that have all sorts of benefits. They can double as privacy hedges and provide beautiful foliage in the fall.

Home gardening is an amazing way to have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Gardens often yield a plethora of crops, and some fruits and vegetables even yield all their bounty all at once. While it is amazing to have tons of fresh vegetables, you often find yourself wondering what to do with the surplus of vegetables you can’t eat right away. This is why it is a good idea to grow foods that you can pickle for later use.

Tropical plants aren’t naturally meant to grow indoors, and that creates some hurdles. Luckily, it’s easier than ever to grow tropical houseplants with modern grow lights and potting mixes. A few simple tricks can ensure optimal growth for your indoor tropical plants, such as:

Lawnmowers, for many homeowners, are like a best friend. They’re tools we rely on! That’s why a sputtering mower can be a nightmare for people who get attached to their lawncare equipment.

Taking care of your property can be rewarding but also frustrating. Every homeowner wants their property to be spectacular and be the talk of the town. However, overgrown grass, littered gutters, accumulated dirt on the roof, and other things paint a terrible picture of your property. The Husqvarna riding mower can help you take care of the lawn, but there are times when the blades won’t turn on.

Thornless honeylocust is a frequently-used tree that’s commonly found in urban areas. It has beautiful yellow leaves in autumn. Plus, thornless honeylocusts provide plenty of dappled shade that still allows grass to grow underneath.

If you want a lush, green, gorgeous lawn, you need plenty of water to fuel it. For those who love their yard, there isn’t much worse than turning on your sprinkler system in the middle of the summer only to discover that there is no water coming out.