Outdoors Gardening

If you do any sort of gardening or landscaping, mulch will be your best friend. In addition to adding aesthetic appeal to your land, mulch is crucial for keeping your soil healthy from season to season. Applying mulch is not a one-time job. You will have to replace and dispose of organic mulch as it decomposes, and you’ll eventually want to replace inorganic mulch, too.

Lavender is an easy-to-grow herb with seemingly endless uses. It has a relaxing and intoxicating smell, beautiful purple blooms that you can eat, and so much more. Lavender has been used for centuries as a natural medicine for several ailments.

Are birds active around your house at night? If so, you can easily scare them away with motion-activated lights. Birds get scared easily when they see flashing lights at night, especially if you put the lights in the right spots.

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.

How great is it to step outside and pluck a lemon from your tree to garnish a drink or make fresh-squeezed lemonade? Fresh fruit trees are a great addition to your yard space and garden. But if your lemon tree leaves are turning yellow, you might be worried that your homemade lemonade days are numbered.

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.

Ticks are easily the scariest arachnids besides spiders, and they can be quite harmful to humans and animals alike. The sight of a tick on your body is enough to make you think twice about going outside during spring and summer. Most homeowners would do anything to keep ticks off their property. So, does mowing the lawn kill ticks?

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.

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.

While mushrooms are not necessarily bad, they can be a bit of an eyesore in your garden. If you have pets or young children, it’s good to get rid of mushrooms. Curious animals and kids might eat them, and that could lead to problems. 

Whether you like bugs or not, some of them are good for your garden. The average homeowner doesn’t like having to navigate a sea of insects and arachnids while doing yard work. However, it’s unavoidable, and many of them are more beneficial than you may think. So, what bugs are good for your garden?

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.

When using a gas lawnmower, you become accustomed to the loud revving the engine makes. However, what happens if you notice a sound that isn’t supposed to be there? In some cases, you might hear a loud, clanking sound while mowing. If you do, it could indicate one of a few different problems.

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?

Skinks may appear gross and scary, but they are far from it. While these small garden lizards aren’t dangerous, they are still a nuisance and can be quite annoying to deal with. Many homeowners understandably struggle with how to get rid of skinks.

If you're a plant-lover, then you can relate to the pain of watching your favorite plants wither away when temperatures plummet. That doesn’t need to be the case, however, as many plants can survive and even thrive throughout cold weather. So, what are some of the best plants that survive winter?

When improving your outdoor space, trees are an especially important feature. In addition to being a prominent focal point, trees can provide shade and beauty when chosen for an appropriate space. With a large canopy and unique foliage, could the tipu tree be a great fit for your landscape? We will explore the pros and cons of tipu trees to help you decide.

For those with outdoor space, the dawn of spring ushers in an exciting opportunity to plant a vegetable garden. Outdoor vegetable gardens are tons of fun to plan and execute. From selecting vegetables to mapping out the garden, and even purchasing the plants, there is never a dull moment. But when the garden is planted, the work begins. The key to a successful vegetable garden is watering it regularly. But what time of day is best to water a vegetable garden?

When I first got into botany, I was shocked at how many flowers are purple. It seems like purple is just the go-to color for most wildflowers, not to mention many herbs that we take for granted. Are you a fan of the color purple? Well, we have a bunch of types of purple flowers you can look at in this article.

Winterizing your lawncare equipment seems like a fool’s errand at times, but believe me, it’s something you should do. It’s what makes sure that you will be able to use your sprinklers once summer comes around. Like with all chores, there’s a right time and a wrong time to start winterizing your system. But, when’s ideal?

Electric companies charge higher rates during peak times. In most places, peak usage times run between 5 P.M. and 8 P.M. You can lower your electric bill if you turn off the grow lights for your indoor garden during this time.

Not only is it possible to plant garlic before the first frost, but it’s the growing environment that garlic prefers. Colder soil helps promote clove growth in the plant and gives the plant a more developed and nuanced flavor. 

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

Nothing beats fresh herbs when you are looking for a way to boost the flavor and freshness of a dish. Herbs from your garden are arguably the freshest ingredients of all, but for those living in a seasonal climate, an herb garden has a shelf life. While you can’t always grow fresh herbs throughout the year, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to dry and preserve your delicious home-grown ingredients for later use.

If you love gardening but live somewhere with cold temperatures for most of the year, you have learned over time that your options are limited. Many flowers, shrubs, and fruit trees that thrive in many climates simply don’t survive in some places with short growing seasons. The same is true for vegetables. But if you live somewhere with a short growing season, you will be happy to learn there are several vegetables that you can still harvest successfully.

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?

Leveling a yard is a process that is crucial to the aesthetics of your landscaping. Leveling your yard can save you from damage and foundation repairs. How much will you pay to level a yard you may ask? Let’s take a close look at the costs of the operation.

Before you learn how to help keep your flower bouquet alive longer, it’s good to know how long a bouquet lasts on average. Generally, a bouquet of fresh flowers will last five to seven days in any type of vase at home. Hearty tropical flowers tend to last a bit longer, around seven to 10 days.

If you have ever gone out to mow the lawn and suddenly realized that your lawnmower wouldn’t start, then you know the pain of this situation all too well. Whether it is due to a dirty carburetor, you have a malfunctioning spark plug, not enough gas to the engine, or simply a clogged air filter, there are many reasons why this could be happening.

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?

One major benefit to mulch is it is great at preventing weeds from sprouting in your garden. Mulch keeps the soil protected from the sun, which also keeps weeds from having the light they need to survive and peek through the layers of mulch.

Monstera plants don’t drink a ton of water, and this is because they like to be surrounded by moisture. Unfortunately, most homes are significantly drier than a Monstera plant would like. While you don’t need to find ways to increase the humidity in your home, you should ensure your Monstera stays moist.

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?

Choosing between sod and grasses is not only aesthetic but also often about function and climate. One grass may be better looking while another may be better suited for the environment that you live in. Two common tropical types of grass are Bermuda and Zoysia, but what’s the difference between them, and which is better?

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?

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?” 

Rock gardens have become staples of many yards, and it’s with good reason. You can populate a rock garden with a wide variety of plants that complement each other. So, what are the best plants for rock gardens?

One great way to deter skunks from entering and spraying in your yard is to install outdoor motion sensor lights. Skunks are nocturnal animals, which means they do most of their moving around at night. Motion-sensor outdoor lighting tends to startle nocturnal animals and usually makes them want to head elsewhere.

A riding mower is supposed to make your life easier. After all, no one likes pushing around a mower, right? Well, it only will be a breeze if your riding mower will move in one direction or another. When a riding mower won’t move forward or reverse, things can get very dicey. Sadly, this can be caused by a wide variety of different things…

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:

Two names top the list for lawn tractors and mowers – Simplicity and John Deere. Both companies offer high-quality landscaping equipment, but which one outshines the other?

Lawn mowers have come a long way since the old push mowers of yesteryear. Now they push themselves, mulch your grass and sometimes even take you for a ride. If you recently purchased a new mower, you are probably eager to take it out for its first mow. But in making room for your new mower you are left wondering what you should do with your old mower.

Soaker hoses are one of the most common tools in landscaping. Primarily used for watering large swaths of grass, flowerbeds, and bushes, these hoses definitely live up to their name. (Oh, they’re great for water fights, too!) However, we live in a world where water conservation is king. This means that we all have a duty to try to find efficient ways to water. So, how much water do these hoses use?

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.

When properly placed, trees in the backyard can make for a beautiful visual aesthetic. It can also provide quality privacy in areas where homes are closely bunched together. Maintaining privacy in those close quarters can be of the utmost importance.

If you’ve spent a lot of time cultivating a beautiful garden, you don’t want pesky invaders taking over your space. Invasive species like the Virginia creeper steal resources from other plants in the area. This can easily lead to a dead garden.

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.

Winter, for those who live in colder climates, is usually a time to give your garden and outdoor spaces a rest. Most plants either disappear under the earth or lay fairly dormant for the winter. But just because your plants aren’t doing much in the winter, doesn’t mean they don’t need attention now and then.

Sprinklers are a highly useful tool for keeping a yard or garden properly and consistently watered. They can even be scheduled and automated so that they require little intervention from the user. At the end of the day, they are quite effective for proper yard and garden care.

Both soft touch holly and boxwoods are common choices for homeowners looking to liven up their landscape. For many homeowners, however, it can be quite difficult determining the difference between the two.

Mulch is an essential component as far as creating a healthy and beautiful landscape is concerned. But, with numerous types of mulch at your disposal, there’s a lot to consider when choosing one that suits you best. Pine bark and cypress are two of the most popular mulch types, and each has its benefits and drawbacks.

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.

We all cut our grass in different ways. Some of us can get by with a traditional push mower while others use a riding lawn tractor. Whatever the case, there is a common problem that most of us have experienced before: a stuck rear wheel.

Snake plants are a type of succulent, which makes them rather easygoing and low maintenance, especially when compared to other plants. This makes them a great choice for people who like plants but don’t necessarily have a green thumb.

Palm trees are great to plant in a yard for all sorts of reasons. They provide great shade in your yard and around your pool or patio areas. They also tend to shed far less than other types of trees, which makes the ground around them easier to keep clean.

One classic way to use up fruit from your garden, especially berries, is to make a sorbet. Making sorbet from scratch might sound intimidating if you aren’t a chef, but the truth is, it’s one of the easiest desserts to make.