Outdoors Gardening

Owning a riding mower comes with many perks, but it can also require routine care and maintenance. One of the most common steps to take care of on your riding mower is to regularly change the blades. However, since the machine can be quite heavy, this process is not always simple.

Whether you simply love gardening or want to reap the benefits of indoor plants, adding greenery to your space is a popular design choice. But if you’re starting from scratch, you might want some ideas on how to make indoor plants grow faster. After all, nobody likes waiting, so if you can speed up the process, you’re all for it.

One of the best ways to maximize your garden when you have limited space is to use vertical planters. If you have a small area where gardening is possible, try building your garden upwards. 

Using pesticides indoors is considered dangerous for many reasons. Not only can it affect the air quality, but pesticides can also negatively affect your health. That’s because pesticides can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation after prolonged exposure. 

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.

Proper irrigation is an important aspect of lawn maintenance, and irrigation sprinklers can water lawns, crops, or other landscapes. Sprinkler heads are divided into different zones of the property to ensure that all areas are irrigated. A common problem that occurs is one zone that won’t work or a sprinkler system not working in all zones. 

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.

You can stop your dog from destroying your plants with both household and store-bought remedies. The key is to make your dog want to avoid eating your plants altogether. Luckily, many of the best ways to stop dogs from eating your plants are easy, such as:

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.

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.

Like most homeowners, you would do anything to have your lawn look as luscious and green as possible. You have likely tried everything from aeration and fertilizer to high-end sprinkler systems, perhaps with disappointing results. Lime is a popular way to encourage healthy lawn growth. Many homeowners have asked themselves the question: does my yard need lime?

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…

The conventional sprinkler system found on residential properties does the majority of the work under the ground, and out of view. Despite their enigmatic nature, irrigation systems aren’t particularly complicated. In fact, they consist of only a few main basic components, each of which has the primary goal of distributing water to the correct place at the proper time.

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.

Because of their vibrantly colored blooms and the fact that they can thrive in shaded areas, impatiens are among the most popular annual flowers for gardens. While they are technically considered tropical perennials, these plants are typically grown as annuals in nearly all regions in the United States (except zones 10 to 12).

Incorporating wood chips into your garden can be beneficial by increasing nutrients in the soil over time. Wood chip garden mulch is organic, so it slowly breaks down, typically between three to six months. However, if you want to compost your wood chips quickly, you will need to add nitrogen to the mix.

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.

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.

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.

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?” 

Mosquitoes are attracted to light, and they also love water. A glistening water feature in full sun, like a bird bath, is a mosquito's paradise. It has many of the ideal conditions for these pests to lay their eggs, so a bird bath will quickly attract them.

All new Toro mowers are auto choke which means typically, to start it, all you need to do is pull and hold the handlebar bail lever, then yank on the pull cord. Despite the fact that Toro builds great machines, but in the event, you pull your Toro Recycler 22 out of the garage and it won’t start, you are going to need to know how to fix it.

The sight of ants in your yard or home can understandably be discomforting. Not only are ant hills ugly, but they can indicate that you have an upcoming ant problem on your hands. Many homeowners have asked themselves the question: why are there so many ant hills in my yard?

Hydrangeas are one of the most iconic symbols of spring. They have beautiful and delicate large pom-pom blooms that come in various colors including blue, white and even purple. If you live in an area with mild summers and plenty of moisture, hydrangeas can make a perfect gift.

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?

The cactus plant is known for being a staple of desert environments, but it also deserves a spot inside your home. The cactus plant can provide some fresh air of its own and its unique appearance is also a welcome sight.

It is sometimes nothing more than an eyesore, and sometimes it is much more. Regardless of how it is perceived though, that hole in the yard or glaringly uneven area in the lawn is a problem. The simple answer, of course, is to fill the hole or build up the low spot. That is where the real question also arises. Namely, those questions typically sound like what can or should be used to fill that hole in the yard? Can sand, topsoil, fill dirt, or potting soil be used?

Many things are placed on our property that we need but aren’t exactly the best things to see every day. Electrical boxes are one of those things that can be unsightly when we want to enjoy our front yards. However, many creative ideas to hide an electrical box in the front yard can divert people’s attention from those unsightly bulky boxes.

Foxes don’t go into your yard because they want to play around: they’re there for food. However, they won’t stick around your yard for too long if they can’t find any food. They are drawn to fruit, vegetables, and even compost bins. 

Upgrading to a new garden hose can make yard work so much easier. Less easy, however, is figuring out what to do with your old garden hose. It takes up so much space and isn’t very useful once you get a new one. So, can your garden hoses be recycled?

The key to success when planting vegetables in the early spring is knowing what species to plant. Some species do quite well in the cool shoulder seasons of early spring and late fall, while others will shrivel up and die. Only plant species that are proven to thrive in the early spring where you live. Consult with your local garden store for advice, and follow care instructions closely.

Walk behind string trimmers are exceptional at reaching places that standard lawnmowers can’t go. If you want to up the ante, can you put a blade on a walk behind string trimmer?

Your lawn mower needs oil to provide ample lubrication, prevent overheating, and generally work efficiently. However, what happens if you put too much oil into your lawnmower?

A plant is nothing without healthy roots, and it tells you more about a plant’s health than anything else. Plants are susceptible to root rot, and this can happen due to everything from overwatering to fungi. Rotten roots look brown instead of green and they feel soft.

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.

The first step to a successful vegetable garden is not wasting any time. As soon as it’s warm enough to get outside and garden, you should put on your boots, grab your gardening gloves, and get to work.

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.

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.

Your property needs a facelift, starting with the landscape. Meanwhile, you’re struggling to decide which type of grass to install. Then you see that grasses come in different-sized pallets. So, now what? First, measure your property. Next, find out how many square feet are in a pallet of grass.

Some lizards have a diverse diet, but you can always count on them eating insects. Insects attract hungry lizards to many people’s yards as they provide a steady food source. You’re more likely to see a lot of lizards in your yard if you have an insect problem. 

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.

The first major safety question you need to ask yourself when you notice a tick on your body is how long the tick has been there. This is an important for two reasons. First, the longer a tick has been in your skin, the more embedded and stubborn it is likely to be. 

When it comes to filler flowers, the one that everyone knows is baby’s breath. This pillow-like white clustering flower plant is found in all sorts of bouquets. You can even fill a vase with just baby’s breath for a cloud-like and elegant look. Baby’s breath is cheap to buy, but even cheaper to grow.

Automatic irrigation and sprinkler systems are extremely convenient, but like most things, they can develop issues over time. A common problem is that the sprinkler head won’t rotate. If this happens, you should repair it immediately to prevent future complications.

The average homeowner rushes to plant as many flowers as possible during spring and early summer. However, that’s not the only time of the year that plants can take root, bloom, and thrive. So, what are the best flowers to plant in late summer?

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.

One of the main advantages to owning a lawnmower is the fact that you don’t have to rely on your own energy to propel the mower. Most modern lawn mowers are wireless, meaning they are outfitted with a lithium battery that must be charged in order to operate the mower. Meanwhile, other lawnmowers, such as riding mowers, have either a gas- or diesel-powered engine and a battery.

One of the best vegetables to plant in October is garlic. Garlic loves to begin its growth cycle in cool soil, which is why so many people choose to start it in October. It also thrives when temperatures are below 40 degrees for prolonged periods. These conditions all help it grow garlic you can harvest in late spring.

After several hot summers and significant changes in water levels in many areas, water usage has become a critical consideration for many homeowners. This is especially true for those who have gardens and lawns in drought-prone areas. There is not a whole lot one individual can do to increase the water levels in an entire region. There are, however, a lot of different ways you can create a stunning and thriving garden with very little water.

Gardening is fun and tranquil, albeit physically exhausting in some cases. No matter how much time you spend in the garden, you will likely get sweaty and dirty. Because of that, many homeowners struggle with what to wear when gardening.

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.

Growing vegetables in a garden is a simple way to get fresh veggies. Growing certain things is a relatively easy endeavor, too. Even still, there are certain things that can impact things like tomatoes and even cucumber plants.

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.

Raised garden beds have grown in popularity, and it’s with good reason. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also easy to take care of if you don’t have a lot of gardening experience. The improved soil drainage, accessibility, mobility, and weed control make raised garden beds quite enjoyable. 

Garden arches can be a beautiful addition to any garden. They add visual appeal and texture to your garden and give you more  vertical space for growing plants. Unfortunately, pre-made garden arches can be expensive.

Raccoons don’t build elaborate nests. Instead, they look for well-equipped shelters and then call them home. Hollowed-out trees and crawl spaces under decks and sheds are all ideal homes for these animals.

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?

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.

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.