Patio & Garden

If you thought you wouldn't have to think about your trees until spring — much less care for them — you wouldn't be alone. However, trees should be nurtured and protected year-round to make sure that they stay healthy.

Step 1: Keep Trees Cle

Perennials are a fairly hassle-free way to enjoy colorful vegetation each year. Once they are planted, with the right care and attention, they come back every spring. As long as you put in a little work in the fall to prepare them for winter, they will

Now that winter has come and gone, it’s time to stop hibernating and start enjoying the outdoors again. Kick off the warm season by tackling some spring cleanup outside your house. Be sure to click on the Project Shopping List to stock up on everything

It's the perennial winter tug-of-war: How do you make snow- and ice-covered walkways safe while protecting your landscape from harmful deicers and road salt? Salt and other ice-removal compounds can be very hard on the grass and shrubbery adjacent to

Fleas and ticks have long been the nemeses of domesticated dogs the world over. Not only are they an annoyance for your dog, their propensity for spreading disease can also be dangerous to the health of your pet. If your dog spends a lot of time indoors

Well it's been the weirdest summer, weather-wise, that I can remember in a long time. It started out absolutely GORGEOUS, with lower temps and humidity – it was fantastic. And then Mother Nature went into fits and mid-summer was full of intense drought a

Insects can put a damper on outdoor fun when they appear in large numbers. They can be more than a nuisance, though. Some, such as mosquitoes, also can carry disease and potentially cause infection and sickness when they bite. Insect repellents are a

This time of year I start dreaming of the beauty of spring. The anticipation of being outdoors back in the garden really helps get me through the last bit of grey, dreary weather.

After a long summer of hot weather your lawn can look tired and worn out. Heat, foot traffic, drought and pet damage take their toll. However, you can revive your lawn and prepare it for the coming cold months by fertilizing and reseeding. Come spring,

Ants are everywhere. And, for the most part, they're beneficial to the natural order of things. But when you experience an ant invasion and their numbers become too large in your yard, garden or home, they can become quite a nuisance. Keep the ant population

Not only are rodents a source of aggravation for many homeowners, but they also spread disease. If they find a way into your home and find food or a place to nest and you don't take care of the problem, you can bet they'll visit more often and quite possibly

Weeds are a common nuisance that can make your yard or flower beds look unkempt and uncared for. Unwanted plants also look bad growing out of cracks in sidewalks and driveways, and can bring down the entire appearance of your home.

But, you don't

Bed bugs have made a resurgence in recent years and can be a serious nuisance in your home. Don’t panic. They are small and hard to see, but often leave telltale signs they’re around. Learn how to find bed bugs, get rid of them and prevent

Mowing your yard correctly is the first step to a great-looking lawn. Even if you feel you’re handy with a mower, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on your skills. Here are some basic lawn care tips on how to mow and manicure a lush lawn that looks spectacular.

If you’re a gardener, you’ve probably found that each season you have an excess of produce that your family can’t possibly eat before it goes bad. Have you tried home canning your harvest? Canning fruits and vegetables can cut down on waste and provi

Homeowners use a lot of water every year watering the lawn or garden, which means that a lot of water and money goes, as they say, down the drain. Installing a rainwater collection system at the end of your gutter downspouts controls excess surface water

It’s summertime! One of my favorite things about this time of year is the abundance of fresh fruits in our local grocery stores and farmers' markets. Here in Georgia, the “peach state” sweet, plump peaches are readily available this time of year. It’s

A healthy and vibrant yard or garden is a plus for any homeowner and the best way to have one is to do it the natural, eco-friendly way. The EPA calls it greenscaping, a practice that improves the health and appearance of your landscape while preserving

If you’re looking to get your hands dirty with organic gardening and landscaping, look no further than using compost. Compost is good for your plants, the environment and your pocketbook because it reduces waste and prevents plant disease while

Making compost is good for your garden, wallet and the environment! It's a simple way to practice organic gardening since you will reduce, reuse and recycle waste to maintain a healthy, beautiful garden. Adding compost to your garden can prevent plant

Planting a tree is a simple step anyone can do to beautify their yard and do their part for the environment. Invite friends, family and neighbors to help out or to do the same in their yard and make it a fun outdoor event. Follow this step-by-step tree-planting

Outdoor planters are perfect for accenting your landscape, whether it’s your yard, porch or patio. Container planting has more than aesthetic appeal; it also provides flexibility and added control over your landscaping through the seasons. Many

Planter boxes for flowers and other plants are great ways to accent your patio, porch, deck, yard and other outdoor spaces. They complement existing landscape features to help make everything in your yard work together as an attractive and relaxing place.