Genovese basil is the most commonly grown variety of basil, especially in North America. It is a staple in Italian cooking, and it has a slightly sweet, and very fragrant classic basil flavor. It is known for its signature shiny leaves and typically grows up to 24 inches in height.

Riding lawnmowers may cost a bit more but will ultimately result in greater convenience particularly for larger plots of land. Like your standard push mowers, riding mowers come with a variety of components that can ultimately break down and stop working properly.

When I first started writing about home improvement, I talked about the “she-sheer she shed” commercial. Sheds have, since then, become a favorite part of my home improvement repertoire. I started to wonder what the deal with sheds are. Do they actually add value to a home, or is it more of a “meh” type of deal?

A pool that doesn’t have a filter isn’t a safe one to swim in. However, if you are swimming in a pool that has a malfunctioning filter, then you are still not entirely safe. Even something as innocuous as having a pool filter that’s leaking from the top can be a sign that it’s not good to swim in your pool. Before you dip your toes in, make sure you fix that leak!

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.

If you search the internet for the best types of privacy fences, you’ll see two options pop up frequently. These are the shadow box fence and the board on board fence. So what is the difference between them, and which is better?

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.

Have you ever dreamed of having a  pool in your backyard but don’t want to pay for the expensive costs associated with installing one? Putting an above-ground pool in the ground may be the best solution.

When you first become a pool owner, the first thing that becomes apparent is that you are going to need a lesson in chemistry. There are so many chemicals that you are going to have to get acquainted with. You might already know that you’re going to need some form of chlorine, but did you ever wonder why people are talking about bleach? Is that even meant for pools?

Spring looms like a faint light on the horizon that grows stronger every day, and this brightening light serves as a friendly reminder that gardening season will soon be upon us. When planting a vegetable garden, planning in the late winter and early spring can make all the difference in yielding a bountiful crop of vegetables in the summer. To ensure you are taking care of all your needs in advance, it is important to know all the common vegetable garden mistakes you should avoid this spring.

Building a pool can be challenging. And some properties aren’t fit for pool installation. So, can you put a pool liner on wet sand, or is it too risky? Here is everything you need to know.

A pressure washer is a highly versatile tool that no homeowner should be without. The things that it can help you do are far-reaching and it will quickly become a favorite tool around the house. Unfortunately, things can and will go wrong from time to time.

I’ll be honest. There are so many different terms that you can learn when it comes to pool talk, it kind of shocks me. (See what I did there?) When I first heard about swim spas, I assumed that they were the same things as pools. Believe it or not, they aren’t. Swim spas and pools are different, and if you’re looking into getting one, it’s good to know what you should expect.

Changing the garage door is often a big part of the puzzle if you’re converting your garage to a finished space. One switch you might consider is to replace a garage door with French doors. But is that a viable option?

Stains and sealers are very similar when it comes to protecting wooden surfaces, but there are some unique differences in terms of application, appearance, and overall protection. Many people will choose between one or the other, but some decide to use both. In this article, we’re going to figure out if you can apply specifically a Thompson water seal over wood that has already been stained.

One of the worst things you can experience while living in an apartment is a rude and noisy neighbor. Although most of the time, your neighbor is likely heavy-footed, other times you might wonder if your upstairs neighbors stomping on purpose. But, no matter what the reason for the stomping and aggravation is, what can you do?

Saltwater pools are more popular than ever before, and rightfully so. They offer a more eco-friendly alternative to bleach for your pool’s sanitation, and also make you feel like you are in the middle of the ocean. Though saltwater pools are hip and trendy AF, there are a lot of questions to ask about how to filter them. I mean, can a regular sand filter work?

Whether it be a simple conversation or involving an HOA, there are several ways to approach your neighbor who has a dangerous tree. The end goal should be for your neighbor to remove the tree without straining your relationship. Each of these methods is non-combative and can be quite successful:

It can take up to 100 days for tomato plants to bear fruit. The timeline depends on factors such as sunlight exposure and your watering habits. Germination, the first stage, takes up to 8 days before tomato plants stay in the early growth phase for 4-5 weeks.

Outdoor cooking is a favorite pastime for many of us. This is especially true if you like to spend outdoor time with your RV or tent. There are many options for outdoor cooking. Two of the most popular are Weber grills and Blackstone griddles. How do these two stack up against each other?

Redbud trees are vibrantly colored trees that can really change the aesthetic of a property. And like any other tree that would get planted in a backyard, there are things to take into consideration. Remember, you want the tree to be protected and healthy, but you also want to keep your home protected as well.

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.

When it comes to finishing and waterproofing the inside of your new or remodeled swimming pool, you have a number of different options to choose from. While standard plaster – which consists of cement, sand, and additives – is the most popular, Pebble Technology International (PTI) offers several distinct textures of pool finishes.

Tree stumps are a natural part of lawncare and gardening. I mean, trees don’t last forever. Eventually, you may have to cut down the tree standing in your backyard. When this happens, you’re going to be left with a massive (or not so massive) tree stump where the tree used to be. What do you do with this?

When properly placed, trees in the backyard can make for a beautiful visual aesthetic. It can also provide quality privacy in areas where homes are closely bunched together. Maintaining privacy in those close quarters can be of the utmost importance.

Picture this. You’re at a BBQ. You are grilling with propane, but you don’t remember the last time you paid Hank Hill a call. You know you want to get those burgers sizzling, but you aren’t too sure how much gas is left in your tank. What can you do? How can you tell how much propane is left in your tank, anyway?

Cascading stairs are an elegant way to take your outdoor deck to the next level. They can be built with either flat slabs of rock or shallow wooden boxes. Either way, they’re an ideal fit for patios and decks with shallow rises.

Copper grill mats are becoming more popular by the day, especially when it is the season to fire up the pit. When items are hot on the market and make people’s lives easier, they jump to the markets. Copper grill mats are made for all grill grates and can withstand up to 500 degrees.

The best way to make money gardening is to propagate your plants and sell cuttings. Gardening has become more popular in the last 4-5 years, and people love to obtain rare plants. Monsteras and philodendrons are especially popular right now, and they are big sellers.

When you imagine a back yard, the first image that comes to mind is likely a sprawling outdoor space with lush green grass. While many back yards look like this, sometimes grass simply isn’t a possibility. Arid climates, for example, make it difficult and expensive to grow grass. Some soil does not allow for it as well. You might even live in an urban area where your “yard” doesn’t even have soil at all. While at first this might seem less than ideal, there are lots of amazing ways you can make a back yard beautiful without using grass.

When leaves overtake the yard, you want your Echo leaf blower to work correctly. Most people use it to blow the leaves instead of raking them. Others use it for blowing off the driveways and carports after cutting the grass.

A pergola is a great way to add some style or a bit of shade to your yard. A pergola is a series of beams supporting a roof, but there are many different types and styles.

Pool pumps are clearly a major part of every in-ground and above-ground pool. They are the thing that pushes water through your filter and also help power your jets. So, it’s not like you can have a healthy pool without a pump for too long. However, there has to be a point where you can leave a pool unpumped without too many problems, right? How long can you use a pool that has no working pump?

Springs occur when water pressure causes the flow of groundwater to rise to the surface. The water finds gaps in depressions, fractures, or rock faults, and pushes its way up.

Dairy products should never be added to your compost pile. For one, they tend to spoil and smell horrible after a while. This is particularly true when left outside in the sun. This scent can also attract animals.

May is synonymous with rebirth. The ground has thawed and spring blooms explode in a celebration of color, welcoming the longer days and warm weather. May is also home to a significant holiday – Mother’s Day. And while most mothers tend to love any gift they receive from their children, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when shopping for a gift for Mom. But the good news is, Mother’s Day could not come at a better time because May is the perfect time to buy your mom an amazing gardening gift that she can use right away.

Many homes feature garages, holding everything from cars and trucks to workshops and boxes of unidentified objects. A garage door becomes necessary to keep your garage secure and make it easy for vehicle access. Different types of garage door springs make it possible for your door to open and close smoothly.

You replaced that worn and dull blade on your lawnmower with a fresh factory blade. The engine starts, and you immediately notice something is quite right. There are vibrations and maybe even rude noises that you hadn’t noticed before. The culprit may be that new blade. A lawnmower blade balance may be the answer to your newfound problems.

Whether you’re trying to hide an ugly fence line or want to add beauty to your landscape, there are a ton of good things to plant along your fence. Planting the right things along your fence line requires planning and forethought. Simply throwing some trees or plants into the ground isn’t going to be enough.

It’s currently the best time for a pool day in my neighborhood. We all love to splash and play in the sun, but it’s important to realize how much water can evaporate during these hot days of the year. Conserving water is a smart (and earth-friendly) way to avoid higher bills. Having a cover that helps keep water in your pool, therefore, is a must.

Many homeowners love the elegant aesthetic of wrought iron fences. Besides, a wrought iron fence is also safer and more durable compared to traditional wood fences. However, how much does it cost to install a wrought iron fence?

Pot mums are one of many Chrysanthemum varieties that can help with allergies. Not only do pot mums help clean the air, but they are also quite low-maintenance. You can even grow pot mums from cuttings; the results come quickly.

Dahlias are a beautiful perennial flower that can last for a long time if you properly care for them. They come in a variety of colors and are a lovely addition to any garden.

Popping up an outdoor canopy is a great way to make outdoor gatherings more comfortable. Canopies offer shade, protect you from unexpected rain, and keep you from otherwise canceling certain events because of the weather. Although you can find canopies in various sizes and styles, the primary consideration is straight leg vs. slant leg canopies.

If you’re buying a new fridge, you may be tempted to leave your old fridge outside in the winter unplugged. However, leaving your appliance outside in the winter while unplugged can incur some damages.

Birds are an attractive part of nature’s wildlife. They can provide a little bit of color and vibrance to any setting. But they can also bring with them quite a bit of nuisance and damage. The droppings, the pecking, and the chirping can all be major detriments.

Poulan Pro is a popular name brand leaf blower, but it is not exempt from having mechanical problems. When it does not start, you notice you have a problem to deal with immediately. Sometimes you may get it started, but the engine will sputter, cough, and die, then that is all for attempts.

Strange odors in your home can be alarming, especially if it smells like a flammable substance such as gasoline. Gasoline is a part of everyday life for the average homeowner or commuter, but you never expect your house to smell like it. So, why does your house smell like gasoline?

One major benefit to mulch is it is great at preventing weeds from sprouting in your garden. Mulch keeps the soil protected from the sun, which also keeps weeds from having the light they need to survive and peek through the layers of mulch.

When it comes to your lawn and the essential upkeep required to keep it looking nice, a lawn mower is an essential tool. It can help keep your grass looking just as you imagined and can save you a whole lot of time in the process, too.

Knowing how to locate your septic tank is essential for maintaining and taking care of your septic system. It’s also crucial that you know where your field lines just in case you need to dig for any of your projects. But how exactly do you locate your field lines?

When looking for ways to protect your home, there are a lot of different things to think about. Your driveway is something that gets used every day but isn’t often taken into consideration with regards to protection. By covering your asphalt driveway with a seal coating, you can help keep it in good condition.

It can take years and even decades to build a sizable tool collection that you are proud of. There are just so many essential tools, it can take years to save up for them all. Power tools, in particular, are quite expensive, but necessary for anyone who wants to do lots of DIY projects. But once you finally do have a full tool collection and lots of power tools, you might find that organizing and storing your power tools is a whole new challenge you need to overcome.

Cold weather is on the way. That means it is time to winterize your sprinkler system and backflow preventer. Forgetting to prepare your sprinkler for the off-season can result in cracked pipes. If you aren’t sure how to do it, follow the guide below. We will give you some general guidelines to follow. Winterizing your sprinkler system ensures it will function properly for many years to come. 

Many dogs have a love-hate relationship with the garden hose. They seem to love drinking from it but don’t love being chased by cold water (although some dogs love it). Either way, if you have a garden hose, there are fewer ways to quickly cool down your dog than by hosing it down with cold water from your garden hose.

People don’t always realize this when they’re bathing, but pools require a lot of electricity to make things work. Pools have to have that current running so that their vacuums work, so that things are heated, and so their pumps work. They tend to put a lot of stress on breakers. Sometimes, it may be too much for older breakers. That’s why you should know what size breaker you need for a typical pool pump.

Choosing the right paver or natural stone for your hardscaping project depends on a number of factors. Whether you’re a homeowner or a contractor, you must consider personal taste and available options to create a space that is both visually pleasing and functional. Flagstone and pavers have long been among the most popular choices when it comes to walkways, driveways, patios, and the like.

The other night, the area around my town had a major storm. It was a thunderbanger, with more lightning and thunder than I knew what to do with. Right across my street is a large power line. I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if lightning decided to strike it. After a while, I decided to research what happens when lightning hits our power sources.

Modular homes, also known as prefabricated homes, or homes that are built off-site, are quite popular because of how cost-effective and simple they are. Their simplicity and affordability is a huge selling point of modular homes, but many wonder if they will depreciate in value.

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?