Landscaping & Outdoor Building

Most plants and trees are tolerant of chlorine at normal levels. The low levels of chlorine in municipal water supplies do not significantly affect plants. Furthermore, the levels of chlorine in...

Landscaping inexpensively can make a design statement for your yard and keep money in your wallet. Sometimes it’s a question of revamping en entire landscape or just a section of your yard. Either...

A sunny garden landscape offers opportunities to plant a huge number of sun-loving flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruit trees and vines. Sunny locations dry out quickly, so it's important to select...

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...

Thistle weed is a stubborn plant to eradicate as it has hundreds of seeds and runners that grow underground producing new plants. It is hardy, with sharp stems and can grow up 5 feet tall in very...

Burdock, also known by the scientific name Arctium minus, is an ecologically invasive plant found along roadsides and in disturbed ground throughout the northern United States. A biennial, the...

If your indoor plant collection has become too large for your living room, your patio plants require storage over the winter or your spring plants need to harden before planting in the garden,...

The idea of the garden as an outdoor room has caught on in recent years. Once you view your yard as an extension of your home, the question becomes how to embellish it. Like decorating any...

Dense, clay soils are composed of fine particles which have a tendency to stick to one another, preventing air and moisture from circulating throughout the soil. French drains are underground...

Hydrangeas are suitable for planting in outdoor pots, but if planted in this manner, they require more care and attention. Gardeners in colder climates also need to take care when over-wintering...

Concrete and cement planters are beautiful and enduring additions to a garden. You might set them out in clusters on patios, settle them into flower beds, or arrange them in formal pairs on either...

Mulch is a material placed over the soil surrounding your garden plants. Mulch can be made of various organic materials including bark, straw or manure. If you happen to have a pond nearby, you...

The lotus is a shallow water plant that grows happily in a bog. In a natural environment, lotus rhizomes and roots are always wet, while the upper parts of the plant stand above water. Purchase...

The really hard work is done. You have cemeted the final stone into the side wall bordering your garden or patio. Now it is time to embellish. Dressing up a stone wall can be as easy or as...

Most concrete steps aren't attractive. Dress yours up by using these tips. You'll create a welcoming, beautiful space. After all, it's the first spot your guests will grace.

An above ground pool does not usually make for an attractive addition to your backyard by itself. It may be the largest item on your property and it can be an eyesore if proper measures aren't...

Perennial flowers come in a variety of shades, sizes and shapes. Arrange a perennial flower bed in formal rows, or a more informal circular design or with an irregular border. Before you begin...

Squirrels eat plants and flowers from flowerbeds because they are vegetarians. They aren't picky eaters, and generally consume anything they see growing, as long as it tastes good. Squirrels...

A natural pond can be extremely beautiful, but it can also be a huge mess if not taken care of. Proper maintenance of a natural pond is essential for the beauty and health of the pond, the plants...

Small backyards can have the beauty of a water feature without the fuss of pumps, filters and electrical conduits. Making a bog garden takes two days, and maintaining the garden only requires...

Using landscaping to form a screen around your pool area is not only a way to obtain privacy, but it also helps create a beautiful atmosphere while you are enjoying your pool. There are many kinds...

Imagine a rooftop oasis that lives, grows and cleans your air. Green roofs have been popular in Europe and Canada for several years and are now gaining popularity in the United States. They...

Be it a lush paradise in the frigid North or a flower-strewn wilderness in the midst of a city, a beautifully landscaped yard is a true retreat for any homeowner. However seemingly daunting the...

A trellis can add texture and dimension to a garden. Situated in front of a house, a trellised selection of plants tells visitors something unique about the people who live there. A carefully...

Landscaping is an exciting prospect for many new homeowners. The thought of making one's property a true retreat is a tempting concept. Unfortunately it can be too daunting a prospect for those...

Creating a rock bed is an interesting way to landscape a difficult area of your yard. Sloping areas lend themselves well to rock gardens, but a flat place can work too. You may already have rocks...

Drip irrigation is perfect for potted plants, since only the area needed gets water. Drip systems have fixed to adjustable drippers for flowerbeds and potting plants and the water flow can be...

The way the outside of your home looks is important. It makes a difference. Home owners often landscape to improve the look and feel of their home. The outside of your home can become a living...

Hedges are more friendly to look at than a fence if you want to establish some privacy between your property and your neighbor's. But hedges require more maintenance, including regular pruning, as...

Creating good, long-lasting shrub borders is important, because proper landscaping adds to the value of a home or property. You need to consider at least four aspects of shrubs: 1. Where to place...

Roundup, developed by Monsanto, is an herbicide that can kill a wide variety of weeds. Its active chemical ingredient is glyphosate, which is absorbed by all parts of the plant, including flower,...

If your yard contains a steep slope, chances are you have problems with erosion. Every time it rains or snows, rich soil is washed away to reveal an unsightly barren, rocky surface. One of the...

Whether you live in the tropics or just want a mental escape each time you step into your backyard, a tropical landscape creates a distinct outdoor living space. The planning of the tropical...

Ground covers are easiest to grow by planting them in the spring, but they can be planted in the autumn, too, if done early enough to get established before the first frost of fall. It helps to...

Often when a tree gets old and dies, or gets too large and too close to your house, power lines or garage, it must be removed. But big trees leave big stumps, which can get in the way of your...

A waterfall pond is a delightful addition to any backyard, but it requires careful planning and physical effort. Flowing water is not only attractive to look at but restful to hear. The addition...

Turn your screened porch into a greenhouse for the winter. You can opt for a year-round permanent greenhouse or a temporary one to use in the winter, depending upon how you normally use your...

Outdoor patios are an amenity, but if you feel yours lacks privacy, protection from the elements or isn't safe for your children or pets, you may not be taking full advantage of it. There are...

Shrubs add definition to your landscape, accenting the lines of the house, providing a living fence to mark your property lines or highlighting some feature of your property. Nurseries and...

Stone mulch is a type of inorganic mulch. Stone mulch will not decompose into the soil; therefore, stone mulch is a long-lasting and durable mulch option for gardeners who desire a mulch that will...

Though many gardeners are accustomed to tending perennial plants in the garden, far fewer have actually taken care of those plants from seed to maturity. With many local gardening stores stocking...

Desert landscaping can be a very attractive and alluring look to your home or garden. If you live in a dry desert city like Phoenix or Las Vegas, desert landscaping is encouraged in order to save...

A well-planned landscape can enhance any outdoor area. You can use landscape plants to create a warm and inviting entrance, a relaxing retreat or to hide an unsightly view. Whether you are...

Cold-frame greenhouses are valuable tools to extend your growing season. Build permanent cold frames to protect plants during adverse weather or to keep lettuce growing year round. Use temporary...

While you may think of a garden as filled with only flowers, incorporating shrubs to the mix adds structure and interest to a space. Planting shrubs can provide additional benefits such as privacy...

Shrubs, either evergreen or flowering, can add interest to any garden. They also can provide other benefits. Before selecting your shrubs, it's important to know the hardiness zone in your area....

Mulching raised beds in winter keeps them insulated, like putting on a blanket. If you're growing leeks, turnips, carrots or parsnips and want to keep picking them during the snowy season, use 6...

Arbors and trellises have similar functions in a garden. Both structures are designed to support plants, but a trellis is much smaller than an arbor.

The terms "arbor" and "pergola" are often used interchangeably to describe a very similar garden structure. Both structures support climbing plants. However, a pergola is a more elaborate and...

Living privacy fences screen your pool, spa or patio from anyone walking past your home. Regular fences can block your view, but a well-planned privacy fence pleases all five senses. Living...