Overall Landscape Planning

Homeowners may fight a constant battle against many kinds of lawn weeds, which grow among the blades of grass and look out of place. Among these weeds are dandelions, wild violets, purslane, wild...

A window well is a square or semicircular embankment dug on the side of a house to make room for a window close to the ground. Window wells are used when windows are built level with the...

Taking the time to design a perennial bed ensures a visually attractive garden. A good design also saves time, water and energy on maintaining the garden. Suburban yards today have less space;...

A hydraulic pump is a device used to convert mechanical power into hydraulic energy.

When you're installing a landscape it's important to design the garden areas where plants will grow best, have visual impact and flow with the landscape. Whether you're translating a design done...

Homeowners use landscaping to create the first impression of a home and a lovely atmosphere. Many people extend their living space into the outdoors by creating attractive landscaped sitting...

Dealing with drainage for your lawn can be an ongoing task. Some yard drainage problems are easy to solve, while others might require some extensive work to get the water to go where you want it...

Driveways that are filled with gravel need to be flat, well graded, and paid attention to over time. The more frequently the gravel driveway gets used though, whether it's from animals, people, or...

A drain field is the area of land in a septic system that accepts the overflow liquids from the septic tank and acts as a filter to remove harmful bacteria and solids before they enter the water...

A home sprinkler system requires some planning. The most important aspect is a scale diagram of the house and the yards. The diagram should include major features of the yard like lawns and the...

As a homeowner you're responsible for maintaining your septic system. Properly maintaining your septic system protects your investment in your home. When properly designed, constructed and...

Low voltage lighting is typically used outside the home, often for lights along gardens and walkways. This current is only about a 10th of that used inside the home (roughly 12 volts outside...

Keeping your house cool, especially in the southern climates, can be an expensive proposition. Drapes, shades or window film can help cut down on the sunlight that streams into your rooms, and...

Spreading mulch may not seem like an intellectually challenging task to most gardeners however, mulches differ in their properties and uses. Cedar mulch and hardwood bark mulch are two commonly...

Firewood must be dry to split and burn properly, and you must be prepared for a strenuous workout. If you are splitting a lot of wood in one stretch, take breaks as you tire, and drink plenty of...

Land surveys are utilized to define boundaries for public or private land use. Determining land boundaries are essential to assigning appropriate parameters for purchasing or ownership of land...

One of the most important steps in re-seeding or re-sodding a lawn is laying the appropriate amount of topsoil. The purpose of topsoil is to spread a layer of nutrient rich soil that provides the...

New Holland (NH) company's Pennsylvania roots date back to date back to 1895 when its "machine division" was created. It began making its earth-moving equipment in 1921, specializing in lawn and...

Clearing grass from an area to prepare it for resowing can be a difficult task. While it is important to eradicate all aggressive grasses and weeds that may damage desirable growth, it is also...

Due to their thick root-mats and tolerance for a wide range of growing conditions, many types of field grass can be hard to eradicate. Most importantly, you want to make sure the soil is still...

Water fountains are always a nice touch to any yard and can quickly add elegance to the location. However, because the water is so shallow and there isn't much for the water to reflect, it is...

With so many types of gutters available, making the right decision can be difficult. Although the styles of gutters have changed over time, their value to a home remains extremely high.

House gutter drainage spouts carry water away from the house so it cannot seep into the foundation. Improperly placed drainage spouts allow water to saturate the soil around the house, thus...

When it comes to keeping a home from being exposed to excessive rainfall, gutters play a vital role. While gutters are standard on every home, the material used varies.

Soil erosion is a natural process that occurs as a result of the effects of wind and water. When the soil is in an area around a building or a landscaped area, slowing or stopping the erosion can...

Nothing enhances your yard or garden quite like a lovely trellis. You can use them to train flowers, vines, fruits and vegetables. If you make your own trellis, you can fashion it to the exact...

Curb appeal is key, whether you're trying to sell your house or you're simply looking to spruce up the exterior look of your home to make it more inviting. Fortunately, adding curb appeal doesn't...

Pressure treated lumber is treated with chemicals to make the lumber durable. These chemicals are toxic and well-known carcinogens. They are harmful to health. It is therefore not OK to use...

Regardless of the size of your outdoor building project, if you are building with wood you will want to consider whether treated or untreated lumber will be the best option for you. Which of these...

Gnats are small insects that can be very annoying, especially when they are fluttering around your face. Gnats sometimes bite, but more often, they are simply bothersome, because they fly into...

The end of summer does not mean the end of your outdoor chores. There are a few things you can do now to make sure your lawn stays healthy throughout the winter. 1. Continue cutting your grass...

Creating curb appeal for a rectangle home is limited only by your imagination and creativity. You can create rectangular yard designs to match your home for example, or make it even more unique by...

Linear measurements, typically expressed in feet, can be converted to area measurements such as square feet. A linear measurement is obtained from a ruler, and an example would be the length of...

As the nights get colder, many people choose to prolong their time outdoors by installing outdoor firepits. While this is an excellent way to extend the season of outdoor recreation, it's...

Fiberglass pools are not for everybody, and if you are considering a new pool, take the positives and negatives into account first. While fiberglass pools used to be simple and boring, they are a...

Flag poles can add a sense of heritage and beauty to any yard. To make your flag pole really stand out, add a garden to the base of it. By adding a garden, you're also adding color to your yard....

Malibu Lights are lighting kits for your yard. They can be automatically controlled using the integrated timer, which is located inside the transformer box. It is not quite as technologically...

Rabbits are animals that many enjoy as pets, but others my find them destructive. Wild rabbits can often chew on your flowers, vegetables, fruits and can even cause damage to other items like...

A great way to save money, as well as help the environment, is by installing rain barrels around your house. Despite what some people think about using captured rainwater around your yard, the...

Commonly used in everything from billiard tables to chalk boards, the generally dark gray rock known as slate has been a used for a variety of applications for centuries.

Fertilizers are used in gardens to help promote the growth of fruits and plants. The three primary nutrients that are needed for plant growth are potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, and fertilizer...

Top soil is needed for many types of lawn care, gardening and landscaping projects. The amount of top soil needed varies depending on the amount of land that is to be covered. You do not want to...

Bird houses provide a place of shelter for cavity-resting birds. Cavity-resting birds are those that make their nests, lay eggs and raise young in the holes of trees.

An ecosystem is formed by the interaction of all the natural organisms in a local environment. This environment may be arctic, tropical, temperate, aquatic or oceanic. Anywhere there are living...

Have you dreamed of adding an elegant rock wall, stone patio or gravel walkway to your home? Complement your next garden design project with landscape rocks and stone. It's easier than you think...

People often use the terms "black dirt" and "topsoil" interchangeably. Only topsoil, however, has a fixed, scientific meaning.

Thatch is a dense buildup of organic material that can accumulate between grass and soil. When thatch exceeds 1/2 inch thick, it provides a haven for pests and disease, and inhibits grass growth.

Landscape lighting can provide you security at night, visibility to light up pathways and serve to display your landscaping artwork in the night. Low voltage landscape lighting has many advantages...

If you are working on a large-scale landscaping project and find that you need to add soil to an area, you may wonder how you determine the amount you will need to buy. There are online...