Landscaping for Active Families: Durable, Fun & Functional Yards

Kids, pets, and lively gatherings demand a landscape that withstands wear while looking great. Experts recommend a strategic approach to balance beauty and durability. Plan & Budget Adequately A well-designed, maintain

Create a Simple Container Water Garden in 3 Steps

Step 1: Choose Your Container Any watertight vessel works—a shallow bowl, copper pot, glass dish, or a dedicated water garden container. Broad, shallow containers are especially effective. Step 2: Select Floating Plan

Transform Your Patio into a Backyard Retreat

Todays patios go far beyond a plain concrete slab. With materials like brick, flagstone, pea gravel, and overhead structures such as pergolas and gazebos, a patio becomes a durable, low-maintenance outdoor room that won

Front Yard Garden Essentials: Paths, Views & Personality

Create a Direct Route A clear, straightforward path to the front door is essential. Avoid overly winding routes; theyre cumbersome. Ensure the walkway is at least 4 feet wide to comfortably accommodate two people and ev

Landscaping Around a Pool: Beauty, Privacy & Shade

Designing the landscape around a swimming pool involves three key goals: beautification, privacy, and shade. Addressing each ensures a stunning, comfortable, and secluded outdoor oasis. 1. Beautification A lush landsc

Build Two Classic Vine Poles for Your Garden

Fish Scale Vine Pole Materials 3 pieces of 8-foot 1x4 pressure-treated lumber 2 pieces of 6-foot 1x2 pressure-treated lumber 3d (1-1/4 inch) galvanized finishing nails Weatherproof wood glue (e.g., Franklins Titebond I

Arizona Landscaping Guide: Thriving Gardens in Desert, Mountain, and Plateau Climates

Arizona packs extreme gardening challenges: short growing seasons, high elevations, subzero to triple-digit temperatures, and scant rainfall. But practical, beautiful ideas can conquer these difficulties. Heres guidance

Choosing the Right Pond Fish: Goldfish, Koi, and Compatibility Guide

What to Consider When Purchasing Fish Start by knowing your ponds capacity. General rule: 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons of water. A 50-gallon pond supports one 6-in. fish, two 3-in., or six 1-in. fish. If unsure of vo

Garden Cost-Cutting Strategies: Seed vs. Sod, Bulk Buying, and More

Gardening doesnt have to break the bank. Smart choices—like starting from seed instead of buying mature plants, purchasing in bulk, and sharing resources with neighbors—can dramatically reduce expenses. Compare the cost

Lay a Classic Brick Garden Path: Flexible Design with Sand-Set Bricks

Bricks let you create almost any walkway shape—straight and formal or meandering. Patterns offer design versatility. Sand-set bricks are less stable than mortared, but the gentle undulations of a well-worn path are part

Essential Patio Amenities: Furniture, Plantings, Lighting, and More for Outdoor Comfort

Furniture. The most common amenity provides seating, dining, and space organization. Choose style that matches surroundings, plus comfort and durability. Furniture needing protection or staining easily becomes more troub

Build an Elevated Platform Walkway for Sloped or Wet Terrain

This affordable solution is built like a simple deck: 4x4 posts in postholes support a 2x6 frame with 2x6 decking. Platforms can step down a steep slope or incline 1 ft in 12 ft for comfortable descent. Pressure-treated

How to Draw a Scaled Base Map of Your Property for Landscape Design

Getting Started With a rough sketch and accurate measurements, youre ready to create a detailed, scaled map. Do it soon to avoid remeasuring. A drawing board and T-square help but arent essential—any flat surface (bre

Landscaping for Home Security: Natural Deterrents Against Burglars

You dont need a high-tech security system to deter thieves. Well-placed thorny bushes, landscape lighting, or even a streetlight can act as guardians. Start at planting time. Trees provide shade but can give burglars acc

Build a Backyard Koi Pond: Design, Construction, and Care Essentials

Japanese koi need at least 2 sq. ft. of pond surface each when fully grown. This 1,400-gallon pond with waterfall, footbridge, paths, boulders, statues, and lush plantings was designed and built by the homeowners. Follow

Install a Concrete Paver Walkway: A DIY Guide to Durable, Attractive Paths

All you need for a paver walkway is a firm, smooth sand base and some sweat equity. Held by sturdy edging, pavers offer many virtues of concrete with easier installation. Path width: at least 3 ft. Keep 2 ft away from tr

Smart Garden Savings: 12 Ways to Cut Costs Without Sacrificing Beauty

Look for Bargains Garden centers clear perennials at seasons end—they may look tired but bounce back in spring. Annuals go on sale early to midsummer and grow quickly. Exception: ornamental grasses—buy young early in

Planning the Perfect Patio: Location, Style, and Amenities for Outdoor Living

Siting a Patio Patios are the workhorses of outdoor entertaining. The most important factor is location—it affects usage and functionality. For outdoor dining, keep the patio close to the house and kitchen. A remote p

Build a Portable Patio Pond with Fountain: Complete Plans and Instructions

What You Need Finished pond: ~38 in. long, 36 in. wide, 20 in. high. Pressure-treated lumber: six 1x2s, two 2x2s, two 2x4s, seven 2x8s (all 8-ft)Deck screws (corrosion-resistant flathead): 2 in., 2½ in., 3 in., 3½ in.

Landscaping Narrow Lots: Design Strategies for Tight Spaces

One wall of the house may sit nearly on the lot line, leaving a narrow, hard-to-plant space on the other side. Privacy is harder but more essential. Access and traffic flow are concerns too. Every inch must be used wisel