Outdoors Gardening

When cultivating and caring for your garden, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. Every flower, every plant you choose needs different things to thrive. Shade, sun, soil, and how frequently you water are all things to consider when creating a backyard oasis. Perennials are a great way to fill your garden with color and beauty.

Irises are big and beautiful plants that come in over three hundred varieties. Irises range in size and color and are an excellent perennial addition to any garden or landscape. Adding irises is a great way to  help control moisture in the garden and invite some beautiful coloration to your space.

Planting a garden adds beauty to your home’s exterior and is also a great stress reliever. But if your plants struggle to grow, it can become frustrating. Gardening takes knowledge for flowers, plants, and veggies to flourish, like choosing the proper soil and planting space. If you decide to use planters, you might wonder if you can use garden soil in pots?

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may feel like there’s nothing you can do to escape the miserable symptoms that plague you every spring through fall. While some pollen can travel hundreds of miles and is unavoidable, you may find that your allergy triggers are much closer. In fact, some plants and trees in your yard could be causing the worst of your allergy symptoms.

When it comes to gardening, we all want a landscape that not only looks beautiful but is also well taken care of. Mulch— no matter what kind— is necessary for a garden to flourish. Many gardeners are looking to lava rocks for their aesthetic and practical appeal.

Holly bushes and trees are a great way to bring life to your garden during the winter months. While, in the summer, hollies can create a dreamy backdrop for the rest of your plants and shrubs. These plants are very popular in Christmas décor, mostly due to the fact that they are often associated with symbols of renaissance and hope.

Hanging plants upside down in the open air is a method that has been used for centuries to dry all sorts of plants, and flowers are no exception. When air-drying flowers, as opposed to drying herbs, it’s important to take a few extra precautions.

Many plant lovers throughout the world dream of having a greenhouse in their yard. While it is a blessing, it can also turn into a nightmare if you find mold. You’re not alone if you want to know how to prevent mold in a greenhouse to avoid headaches.

One of the most deadly reptiles in America is the rattlesnake. This snake is known for its shaking tail that makes a loud, rattling sound. The snake often makes this sound when an animal (or human) gets too close for its comfort.

The best thing a senior gardener can do is simplify their garden. While vast gardens are rewarding, they can be hard to keep up with and maintain. The more plants you have spread out over a large area, the more drained you will become while gardening.

There are several different kinds of flowers in the Dianthus genus. Some of these include carnations, Sweet Williams, and maiden pinks. Dianthus flowers have pink, lavender, or pink blooms and these flowers are extremely popular with gardeners.

One important question you must ask yourself before choosing the perfect grass for your home is how much time you can dedicate to its upkeep. Some grass grows like weeds and can thrive in most weather conditions.

You try and try to keep your yard looking healthy, yet you still seem to have brown patches and a faded look. Don’t worry; the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. You can get the lush lawn you dream about by using fertilizer. But how long before fertilizer turns grass green?

If you live in an area with frequent strong winds, you know outdoor activities and projects are more challenging. Everything from lounging and eating outside to gardening and decorating can feel impossible when powerful gusts barrel through your yard. If you’re trying to design your outdoor space in a windy area, several tips can help.

Native to the rocky hills of China, Taiwan, and the Philippines, the Chinese pistache tree is known for its signature umbrella shape and its brilliant fiery leaves in the fall. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance tree with ornamental properties for your xeriscape back, front, or side yard, the Chinese pistache tree will check all the boxes. 

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.

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.

A big part of the joy of composting is that you get to see your progress week after week. Unfortunately, this becomes much less rewarding during the winter, when organic matter decomposes more slowly. However, you can avoid many common winter composting pitfalls if you keep a few simple tips in mind.

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.

Not only is composting great for the environment, it’s also a rewarding process. Nothing feels better than reducing your carbon footprint at home. However, it can be alarming and discouraging when your compost pile smells foul. So, why does my compost smell like sewage?

Frogs are interesting creatures, but they are best admired in marshes and other natural habitats, not on your front porch. These hopping amphibians can cbe a nuisance, from their loud evening croaking sounds that make it difficult to sleep to potential health hazards for you and your pets. If you have noticed a significant rise in the number of frogs in your yard, then you’ll want to find the source of this population increase and fix it.

Spring is the most important time to plant most flowers. Not all flowers will thrive and grow if you plant them in spring, however, so it’s important to choose the right ones. What are the best flowers to plant in spring?

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:

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.

Shaded porches serve as both an oasis and an entry to your home. Finding the right plants that can thrive in the shade is easier said than done, however. So, what are the best plants for a shaded porch?

Not everyone likes earthworms, but you can’t deny that they’re extremely beneficial. Worms can increase the nutrient availability in your soil, aerate the soil, and support healthy plant growth. You can make a huge difference in your plants’ success this summer if you attract worms to your garden.

No matter how you slice it, weeds are annoying, whether they’re annual or perennial. However, perennial weeds are arguably much more of a bother, considering that you may have to deal with them for years. It’s a good idea to know the difference between annual and perennial weeds if you want to protect your yard from organic invaders.

Nothing is more annoying than when weeds from your neighbor’s yard spill over into your yard. This is especially true if you take pride in your yard and don’t have a problem with weeds yourself. It’s also an eyesore to look at a yard full of weeds. Understandably, you may struggle with what to do when your neighbor’s yard is full of weeds.

Mowing the lawn is a chore anyone with a yard needs to do regularly. It isn’t always the easiest or most enjoyable task, but it’s crucial to keep your yard looking great year-round. While it’s relatively easy to operate most lawn mowers, these machines are potentially dangerous, which is why you must know how to stay safe when mowing the lawn.

You put a lot of energy into maintaining the lawn. So, you probably don’t want weeds where your garden should be. But can you put weed killer on wet grass, or will that cause a problem? And how do you keep weeds off of your lawn otherwise?

Pulling weeds is an annoying chore homeowners must keep up with during the spring and summer. It becomes even more of an annoyance if you’re consistent with lawn maintenance, but your neighbor isn’t. So, can weeds spread from lawn to lawn?

If you are worried about people seeing into your home through the windows, then consider installing an extra set of curtains. Most people have a heavy set of curtains to block the sun or provide complete privacy at night. 

If you own a sprinkler system, you’re already likely aware that it must be turned off during the winter. Leaving it on could potentially cause damage to the piping caused by freezing water. Shutting down the system will preserve and protect it for ideal performance next season.

There’s always some confusion when it comes to the cayenne pepper. What is it? Is cayenne a pepper or a spice? And when is the best time to pick cayenne pepper? We shirk away from the unknown, and especially from the spicy unknown. But in reality, we use cayenne pepper every day to flavor our favorite dishes. That pizza you’re enjoying? You can thank cayenne pepper for that fiery tang. 

You might not know it, but there is a good chance you have several items in your produce drawer or kitchen pantry that you can plant in a new vegetable garden. Several species easily sprout new life from existing plants. Potatoes that have grown eyes can be cut into several pieces that give birth to new potato plants, and in turn new potatoes.

Taking care of a lawn is about much more than simply watering and mowing the grass. Truth is, lawns are prone to some annoying problems, such as soil compaction, which can take a big toll. That’s why everyone should know how to tell if the soil in their lawn is compacted.

Being a cat owner is rewarding, but it also comes with many frustrating headaches, especially in you are an indoor plant enthusiast. You’re not alone if you’ve ever struggled with how to keep your cat away from your houseplants.

One visual red flag that your soil’s pH is off is abnormal colors in your plant’s leaves. Leaves can change colors dramatically when the soil pH is off, often becoming red or purple. You may also notice yellow veins in the leaves.

It never hurts to invest in your lawn’s future when you consider the curb appeal that lush grass adds. Grass seeds goes a long way, so many homeowners hold onto grass seed for months or even years at a time. When the time comes to plant the old grass seeds, many homeowners wonder; how long does grass seed last?

Most people in the United States don’t live in a tropical climate, which makes many give up on their dreams of growing certain plants. That’s because they know the tropical plants will die as soon as temperatures plummet during the fall. Luckily, there are several tropical plants you can grow anywhere, at least if you bring them inside at the right time.

Keeping your yard beautifully landscaped is the perfect way to not only make your home look beautiful but also to give you some much-needed privacy. Adding just the right bushes, trees, and plants can make a home unique and be an appealing target for animals like deer to grab a quick meal. If you live in an area with a high deer population, you will want to search for deer-resistant plants to keep your landscaping and yard looking fantastic, even with deer roaming the area.

Riding mowers make maintaining your lawn and outdoor areas much easier. They enable us to cut through large sections of tough grass without wearing ourselves out.

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.

Nowadays, modern automation systems have made it much more convenient to zero in on particular water usage and ideal watering times for sprinklers. While the initial sprinkler system cost – both for the system itself and the installation – is often a bit pricey, the rewards are guaranteed. These include, but are not limited to, an increased property value, long-term savings on your utility bills, and water conservation.

If your yard doesn’t naturally grow grass, you may have to turn to grass seed to revitalize your property. Having healthy grass around your property will increase your home’s value and make your space seem more inviting, too. However, like most things in this world, it comes with a cost.

One of the best tiny plants to incorporate into your home with limited space is an air plant. These exotic plants thrive in hanging terrariums, or simple glass bowls. Some species flower from time to time, offering tropical color to your space.

Starting a terrarium is an exciting project, but it can be a lot of work to set up and maintain. That’s because a lot can go wrong, but only if you don’t prepare properly. Luckily, we assembled a list of eight essential terrarium tips for beginners.

Outdoor curtains can be transformative pieces of fabric. They bring elegance, privacy, and protection to outdoor spaces. It’s no wonder they are so popular on patios and porches around the world. However, with numerous fabrics, designs, and colors to choose from, selecting the perfect outdoor curtains can be a daunting task.

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?

Snapdragons provide a vibrant splash of color to any garden, blooming beautifully in the spring and fall. These bright blooms come in almost every color imaginable, and when cared for properly, can last a long time.  

Troy Bilt are well known for their highly durable professional riding mowers. One of the most popular of these has been the Bronco. But even the most expertly designed components need replacing at times.

When you picked out a DeWalt trimmer, you never thought that the trimmer line would become so tatty and dull. Yet, here you are. You know that you’re going to need to replace the old trimmer line if you want to be able to use your trimmer for a longer period of time. The question is, how do you do it?

The sponge gourd is a very unique and fast-growing gourd species. It grows thin and long like their relatives, the squash. It loves warm and tropical climates and requires full sun. While these gourds at first are edible, they eventually become very fibrous, and turn into a natural loofah. 

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.

Growing vegetables in a small garden can be beneficial. In addition to adding color to any garden, it can mean fresh vegetables to be used in the kitchen. It should not be surprising that one of the most popular garden vegetables are tomatoes.

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. 

Landscape fabric has been used for years to cover the ground around gardens and other landscaping where you are trying to prevent weeds. But many of the landscape fabrics are costly and can actually be bad for your plants and soil.

The smell of fresh mulch is almost as satisfying as the many benefits it offers. Applying mulch to soil beds is the best gift you can give your garden, but timing is everything. So, when is the best time to mulch your yard?

If you live somewhere with mild winters, then a palm tree is a great plant to place near your front door. While there are many types of palm trees you can choose from, Areca palms are a great and safe option. They are one of the best and easiest palm tree species to grow.

Vegetable and herb gardens are a great way to have the freshest ingredients at your fingertips while also saving you a few dollars in the process. While these gardens tend to save you plenty of money in the long run, they do cost money to maintain. If, however, you plant herbs and vegetables that grow back every year, you’ll save time and money year after year.