Outdoors

Whether you like bugs or not, some of them are good for your garden. The average homeowner doesn’t like having to navigate a sea of insects and arachnids while doing yard work. However, it’s unavoidable, and many of them are more beneficial than you may think. So, what bugs are good for your garden?

To extend your shed’s lifetime, following an involved maintenance routine that includes preventive measures is the best route. One of the preventive maintenance tasks you should do is put some material around the bottom of the shed’s exterior. This is referred to as shed skirting, and there are many material options to choose from.

Painting your garage is a great way to improve the look of the space and make the walls easier to clean. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. Your garage is sort of inside but sort of outside, so what paint is best?

A key concern when making big investments with regard to your home is whether or not they’re worth it. You want to make sure the return on value or convenience makes up for the money you invested in the first place.

Your backyard is undoubtedly so much more than a fenced-in area behind your house. For you, it might serve as an extension of your living space, complete with cozy, plush lounge seating. Or perhaps you host dinner parties and BBQs with friends and family or enjoy frequent picnics. But when uninvited guests, like mosquitoes, show up, it can take a big bite out of your fun.

When it comes to pool safety, few things are as important as making sure that you don’t end up slipping and falling into the pool. The question of how to prevent slips often involves yelling at kids to keep walking and using the right materials. That’s why travertine is a bit of a contention. Does it get slippery when wet, or is that just rumors that should be water under the bridge?

If you are one of the many homeowners who have Bermuda grass in your yard, you already know how difficult it can be to get rid of. While some people actually like Bermuda grass, many of us consider it nothing more than a weed.

Having a weedeater, also known as a trimmer, makes lawn care all the easier. Lawnmowers can only reach so many areas around the yard and the trimmer allows for precision trimming in those tough-to-reach areas.

One of the best things about owning your own home is having a garage you can use all year-round. If you live in a state that experiences seasons, you may need to heat your garage to work on projects comfortably. Since everyone already has a plethora of other bills to pay for, I wanted to find out how to heat a garage cheaply. 

Depending on how exposed your deck is to the elements, you’ll most likely find yourself staining it at least every two to three years. From snowy winters to hot summers to the probable stormy days in between, your deck can take a pretty serious beating throughout the year. Eventually, that adds up.

Whenever the generator is removed from an electrical system, it needs to be polarized prior to reinstallation. Polarization is the process of matching the current flow to the electrical system before connecting the generator. Generators can produce either a positive or negative current, but most electrical systems are designed to accept a current flowing in one direction.

Creating a relaxing outdoor space can feature anything from backyard ponds to pergolas but usually includes some comfortable patio furniture. But when your outdoor cushions don’t stay in place, your backyard retreat becomes anything but relaxing. Luckily, there are easy ways to keep outdoor cushions from sliding so you can get back to enjoying your backyard retreat.

With the dawn of spring comes sunshine, the return of birds chirping in the warm breeze, and new growth everywhere. Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your lawn.

When it comes to taking care of your lawn, there is a lot of work to put in. Keeping everything well-manicured not only takes time but it takes having the right tools for the job. You may be able to get it done with an inferior tool but it will likely take a lot more time and work.

Imagine the following scenario:  you are known for conserving water, and for as long as you lived in town, your water bills were $30 or so. Recently, a new family moved in. They have a pool, sprinklers, and everything else watery under the sun. The next month, you notice that your water bill shot up to $900. You look at your neighbors, who don’t make eye contact with you anymore. Could it be them?

You have had your above-ground pool for several seasons and notice that the flexible pipe provided by the manufacturer is beginning to show its age. To keep your pool and filter operating properly, you consider replumbing your pool with PVC pipe. However, PVC pipe is not the same size as the flexible tubing, and you wonder what PVC pipe you should use for your above-ground pool.

A temporary pool can be an exciting addition to your yard during the hot summer months. It offers a fun way to cool down, enjoy the season, and spend time with family and friends. But before you purchase a temporary pool, you might be wondering: Do you need a permit?

Black walnut trees are sought after because they look great in any yard. Because of that, many builder-owners or large property owners looking to rejuvenate their landscape wonder just how much a black walnut tree is worth.

You’re all set to mow your lawn, but when you come out to your riding lawnmower, you notice that the key is missing. Or worse, you try the key, and it breaks off in the ignition switch. You need to cut the grass ASAP, so you can’t afford to wait for a replacement part. What do you do? Fortunately, you can start your lawnmower with a screwdriver.

If you live in a wet climate, you may be wondering how to take care of your patio furniture. This type of furniture is designed for outdoor use, so it would be logical to assume it can get wet, right? While this is partially true, it’s not as black and white of a decision as that.

Staining your deck is a great way to enhance its appearance and protect it from fading and natural wear and tear. The actual staining process is actually pretty straightforward, but it’s important to have the right conditions to do it.

With winter right around the corner, it’s almost time to start taking on the piles of snow that inevitably collect on your driveway.  A light flurry or dusting of snow is thin enough to be shoveled away by hand. However, when you start to get into ankle- or even waist-deep snow, you need a powerful snow blower in your tool collection.

A healthy green lawn brings life and vitality to a home. It makes your home and yard look clean and regal. A pristine lawn can even increase your property value. But maintaining a lawn to ensure it stays emerald green and glorious takes some work and regular maintenance. There is regular mowing and landscaping, fertilizing, and even aeration. Aeration is something not everyone does on a regular basis, but it’s very important. It is critical you notice the signs that it is time to aerate your lawn.

Your gutters are an integral portion of your roofing system. Over time, leaves and other types of debris can clog the gutters up. At best, this will be a minor inconvenience and an eyesore. At worst, it can lead to damage to the woodwork of your home. When gutters are high up, they can be difficult to clean.

One of life’s greatest enjoyments is sitting back and relaxing in your own backyard oasis, sipping your favorite beverage. Maintaining that tranquillity means occasionally breaking out the gardening shears and that noisy lawnmower, but machines break down over time.  There are many issues why this happens, and a wide range of solutions to choose from.

Few homeowners rejoice at the sight of snakes in and around their house. Snakes are scary and potentially dangerous, depending on where you live, the type of snakes, and whether you have pets. You are in luck if you are struggling with how to keep snakes away from your house.

Finding dry and withering leaves on your favorite plants can be discouraging to any homeowner who takes pride in their garden. Dried-out plants may appear dead and ugly, but that doesn’t always mean that they are. Can dried-out plants be revived?

Your pool served you well this summer. Now, it’s time to take several steps to prepare it for the offseason. Winterizing your pool isn’t hard. There are a few steps to follow to get the job done right. Next year, when the scorching hot weather returns, you’ll be glad you did. 

Cornhole is a popular activity for various gatherings, often topping the recreation list alongside beer pong and horseshoes. It’s also a competitive sport, with the formation of a national governing body, USA Cornhole, forming in 2019. It’s the plan to one day make cornhole an Olympic sport. Whether in a national competition or in your backyard, cornhole board dimensions are relatively similar.

Snow is fun to play in, but it’s horrible when it gets stuck around your home. It sticks to your roof, driveway, deck, and everywhere else. When this happens, it’s important that you remove it immediately to eliminate any potential dangers or risks of ruining your home. But how do you remove the snow?

There’s nothing quite like the experience provided by the great outdoors. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or partaking in some other outdoor activity, being up close with nature is just an incredible feeling. Before heading outdoors though, you need to have the right equipment and know-how.

Squirrels are cute critters that can be surprisingly determined. When that determination is focused on tearing up your flower pots, it can feel like a nightmare. Squirrels can seriously damage your potted flowers to the point where the life of the flower may hang in the balance.

Mulching is a great way to improve the health and appearance of your garden. Putting mulch over your rocks can be a quick fix for sprucing up your yard, but is it a good idea?

If you’re considering installing a saltwater pool in your backyard, you likely have a lot of questions. Saltwater pools serve as an alternative to traditional chlorine pools, and although you don’t have to manually add chlorine to a saltwater pool, they still contain chlorine. They have a much smaller amount, which is produced by a salt chlorine generator. This filtering system turns salt into chlorine, to effectively clean a saltwater pool.

Troy-Bilt makes a series of outdoor power tools and yard care equipment. They are one of the most recognizable and trusted names currently in the industry. Their line of trimmers and mowers are particularly revered.

Mowing the lawn is an important, but often dreaded activity. As the summer heat increases, this chore can become hot, sweaty, and altogether exhausting. So, there may come a time when you have procrastinated longer than you should have, and find yourself needing to mow the lawn in the immediate future. But if the immediate future calls for rain, you might find yourself wondering if you can cut the grass when it is still wet.

A drought is a nightmare for homeowners and communities, especially when they aren’t prepared. Droughts can disrupt the ecosystem, harm animals, and kill your garden and lawn that you worked hard to grow. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with how to prepare for a drought.

Contrary to the traditional asphalt and concrete driveways that many of us are familiar with, gravel driveways are proving to be a much more affordable option for homeowners. Not only are they cheaper to install and maintain, but they also generally require fewer repairs over their lifespan.

When you’re ready to sell your home, you might start looking for ways to increase its value. A new driveway adds $5,000 to $7,000 to the home value. Does widening a driveway also increase home value?

If you are redesigning your outdoor space you have all sorts of decisions to make. There are endless ways to spruce up your outdoor living space, like building a deck, installing a hot tub, or even by purchasing a stunning fire feature. If you decide to purchase a fire feature, you may find yourselves at a crossroads between buying a fire pit of a chiminea. When it comes to chimineas and fire pits, many people often wonder what exactly the difference is and which option is better.

When I first found out that pool filters contained sand, my mind was blown. I immediately made the (wrong) assumption that pool filter sand is the same as the sand found in playgrounds and sandboxes. While the two are fairly similar, the fact is that they are very different. It makes sense, too. Did you ever wonder what the biggest differences are between these two sand types, and why you can’t use play sand in a pool filter?

Everyone wants a lawn that looks beautiful. It instantly increases the curb appeal. A well-manicured lawn guarantees that you’re not the only yard on the block that looks bad. While no one wants their house to be an eyesore, there is a learning curve to maintaining your grass seed while you attempt to eliminate bald spots on your lawn.

Are you wondering, “Is Portland cement waterproof?” Well, you’ve come to the right place because we have the answer you’re looking for. Portland cement, the most common cement in general use worldwide, is not waterproof on its own.

Whether your garage is run-down, too pricey to repair, or you want to remove it and build a new one, demolition may be the best route to go. Tearing down a garage is considered a partial demolition, which may be necessary for homeowners who are carrying out a major home remodel. While garages are still highly sought after among homebuyers and can actually increase the value of your property, there are plenty of instances when your home may be better off without the eyesore of a dilapidated garage.

It is hard to resist the urge to get in the pool right after you add chlorine. There is nothing like the smell of chlorine that makes you want to spend a day in the sun and water. So, how long after putting chlorine in a pool can you swim?

Lawnmowers are an essential tool for any homeowner who desires a precisely maintained yard. While you may already be aware of the fact that there are numerous types of lawnmowers out there, there are also different types of lawnmower blades. Often underestimated, lawnmower blades are the part of a lawnmower that determines the quality of the cut.

Millennials are known for their love of avocado toast as well as their love of gardening. It comes as no surprise, then, that many of us are now looking at growing our own avocado trees in hopes of getting a steady influx of avocados for breakfast. Of course, this is only doable in the warmer regions of the United States, and even then, it can take a while for avocado trees to bear fruit.

If you have a pool, you’re no stranger to the work that goes behind maintaining it year after year. One of the most important parts that keeps your pool running in top shape is your pool filter. There are a handful of different filter types from which you can choose depending on your personal preferences. If you are planning to use a sand filter for your above ground pool, it’s important to choose the right size.

Countless homeowners take pride in their gardens up until the day they sell their houses and beyond. A nice landscape and garden are something to be proud of as a homeowner. So, does a garden increase home value?

Pool maintenance can be a burden between all of the chemicals and daily upkeep. It can be hard to keep everything straight between the waiting times, chemicals, and cleaning processes that it takes to maintain a pool. Many of us have wondered; can you shock your pool and add a stabilizer at the same time?

Garages have become so much more than just a place to park your car. Mine includes an elliptical, a workbench, power tools, holiday decorations, and lots of bicycles.

Nowadays, a home isn’t a home without modern technology infused throughout. There are smart thermostats, security systems, curtains, and even smart light bulbs. Smart light bulbs are becoming more popular these days. After all, they have several benefits, including increased security and lower energy costs. But if you are looking to install new lights outside your home, you might wonder if you can use smart bulbs outdoors.

Coleman is known for producing some of the greatest outdoor products, including their 16 oz propane tank. This fuel cylinder is ideal for use at the park, a tailgate party, in your backyard, while traveling or camping, and more. It is lightweight, compact, and is used in tabletop grills, lanterns, heaters, and propane stoves, torches, and other portable propane appliances.

Selecting the right outdoor cushions for your furniture can be quite challenging. You want to have furniture that fits the space, is comfortable, and is built to last. But you also want outdoor furniture and cushions that look great and complement your outdoor design aesthetic. With all these considerations to take into account, picking outdoor furniture is often easier said than done. If you live somewhere with a wet climate, you have even more factors to consider, like what type of outdoor cushions work best in humid climates?

Garage floors tend to take a beating. From car fluid spilling to heavy tools dropping on concrete, these floors are often some of the most beat up and unsightly on your entire property.

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.

Primer bulbs are key components of most new gasoline lawnmower engines. The small plastic bulb plays a vital role in getting the fuel to the carburetor. You may notice that your lawnmower primer bulb has a hole.

Lawn care is often more complicated than many people realize. There are many invasive plants that look similar to desirable plants that you’d actually want in your lawn. For instance, St. Augustine grass and crabgrass look almost the same, but they are two very different plants.

Your garden will never be able to thrive if bugs continually eat your plants. Pests can also make it difficult to enjoy time outside and perform yard work. So, what are the best plants to keep bugs away?

Undeniably, fences can make or break your home’s curb appeal. In this day and age, they are no longer just for establishing boundaries or securing space. Instead, fences are now commonly used to frame gardens, create a focal point in a front yard, and enhance landscape design. From wood, metal, bamboo, and vinyl to lattice, picket, dog ear, and shadow box fences, there are many options to choose from. Selecting the right fence amongst nearly endless fence designs, styles, materials, and ideas is crucial.