Expert Tips for Building a Backyard Chicken Coop

When Rob Ludlow, co-author of Raising Chickens For Dummies and Building Chicken Coops For Dummies, launched the Backyard Chickens forum in 2007, it had 50 members. Today, it boasts 200,000—a testament to the surging popu

Budgeting for Landscape Projects: Deck, Fence, and Walkway Costs

A successful landscape project starts with a solid plan that includes both a thoughtful design and a realistic budget. Weve researched typical costs for decks, fences, and walkways to give you a baseline for estimating y

Planning a Comely Courtyard: Design Tips for Enclosed Outdoor Spaces

Enhancing an Existing Courtyard Because a courtyard extends the house, its typically furnished similarly. Consider these design aspects when refurbishing. Enclosure. A courtyard feels like it has four solid walls—vis

Backyard Landscaping Secrets: 6 Pro Tips for a Beautiful Outdoor Space

Whether your backyard is a blank slate or filled with furniture, there are likely spots needing a landscaping touch-up. These easy-to-implement secrets boost beauty and usability. Secret No. 1: Hide Your Problems Backy

Family-Style Backyard Garden Design: Zones for Play, Dining & Growing

This landscape plan transforms a modest backyard into a garden with something for every family member. Key Features Patio. Brick patio provides solid footing for furniture and a view of the entire yard. Formal bed and

Save Money with Salvaged Landscaping Materials: Creative Ideas from Sue Whitney

DIY projects like starting plants from seeds or laying brick patios save money, but hardscape materials can be pricey. Salvaged landscaping materials—aka junk—dress up a yard and lighten the budget. Sue Whitney, owner o

Planning a Delightful Deck: Design, Placement & Style Tips

With good design and craftsmanship, a deck becomes an elegant addition to home and landscape. You dont have to settle for the obvious location—decks work on sloping sites or level ground, anywhere youd build a patio. A

Free Trellis Plan: Build a Privacy Screen for Your Garden

This trellis, featured in the April 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, was designed by homeowners for screening and privacy beyond a typical fence. Mounted on posts set just inside the fence line, its both decorati

How to Lace a Wall Trellis for Climbing Vines

To create a vine-covered wall, provide permanent support for twining/tendriled vines (clematis, passion flower) and tie clambering/thorny vines (roses, pyracantha). Heres how to create an 8-inch grid of crisscrossing wi

Green Landscaping: Sustainable Practices for a Healthier Yard

Going green in your yard means more than lawn color—you may not even want a bright green lawn! Explore these ideas to green your landscape in healthy, sustainable, environmentally friendly ways. What Is Green Landscapi

Build a Raised Garden Bed: Benefits & Simple Construction

Step 1: Construct a raised bed of any size, using one of several methods. Keep depth ≤4 feet for easy access. Use lumber (1-foot-deep boards or landscape timbers), concrete block, or recycled plastic lumber with sna

Build an Exposed Aggregate Walkway: Step-by-Step Guide

Unlike patios or driveways, an exposed aggregate walkway doesnt require extensive excavation or footings. Work at your own pace—complete sections over multiple weekends. Masonry dealers offer regional aggregates: pea gra

Enhance Your Courtyard: Walls, Plants, Art & Lighting Ideas

Planting pockets transform this attractive courtyard into a private garden. Dont let fixed walls limit your creativity—treat them like indoor walls with even more flexibility. Paint walls, add weatherproof art, grow pla

DIY Spherical Water Fountain: Build a Terra-Cotta Water Feature

Nothing soothes a garden like the sound of flowing water. You dont need an expensive fountain—create your own natural-looking water feature with inexpensive materials. This terra-cotta fountain is so easy that even a yo

Mid-Priced Front-Yard Landscape Design: Grand Entry & Beautiful Plantings

This two-story home sits on a 95-foot-wide lot with a 51-foot-deep front yard. The landscape design features a grand entryway and attractive paving that complements large planting beds. Driveway The foreground bed

How to Shop for Landscaping Stone: A Complete Guide

The Bones of Nature: Why Stone? Bricks come in more shapes, colors, and sizes than any other hardscape material. Unless your landscape already has all the hardscape you need, youll likely want to add paths, planting b

Design a No-Mow Backyard: Year-Round Beauty Without the Lawn

This backyard garden eliminates the traditional lawn while delivering four-season appeal. The designer selected tough, reliable plants that remain attractive even in harsh weather. Below, explore each garden section in

Create an Edible Water Garden: Grow Delicious Aquatic Plants

Transform a simple water feature into a productive kitchen garden with an edible water garden. Many aquatic plants offer tasty leaves, roots, and seeds that enhance Asian cuisines and everyday cooking. Water fern, water

Hide the Pond Liner: Pro Techniques for Invisible Edges

The Secret to Natural-Looking Pond Edges Formal and informal ponds with concealed liners In the Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden®, we built two ponds: a typical kidney-shape with plastic liner and flagstone edging

Build a Window Frame Trellis: Upcycled Garden Art

Turn a Vintage Window into a Vine-Covered Trellis Morning glories on salvaged window frame trellis Replace curtains with draperies of annual vines. This vintage church window frame, saluting the day with sun-loving mo