
Adorning your home with a classy front porch or a comfortable back patio can be as important to your home as frosting on a cake. Not sure where to start? Try adopting a certain theme for your front porch. One option is the Vintage... Read More »
A courtyard is defined by open space surrounded by walls or buildings. If you are planning the design of such a space, the possibilities are endless. No matter how large of an area you have to work with, your courtyard can become your... Read More »
1. Adding a water feature to your landscape promotes meditation and relaxation. 2. Solar powered lighting is a great way to illuminate a walkway without wiring.Spring is in the air and many people get antsy about gardening and beautifying... Read More »
Many cities are beginning to require contractors to landscape at least the front of a property, but many older neighborhoods still suffer with that one neighbor who never seems to notice his overgrown, weed-infested yard. It... Read More »
Some easy exterior fixes in the front entry can spruce up your home’s curb appeal and make it a little more energy efficient. New shutters and planter boxes in the front window will add an instant attraction to the eye AND they’re... Read More »
There’s nothing more refreshing than a cool swimming pool to quench the scorching summer heat. What better way to spend your lazy summer afternoons than lounging beside the pool with a cold drink? With summer quickly approaching,... Read More »
One of the most soothing, relaxing sounds on earth is the sound of trickling water. Not many of us get the opportunity very often to hike up a mountain stream to find that illusive waterfall gushing over the rocks. Although it would... Read More »
Whether you just want to get a jump on the growing season, or you live in a cold climate, a greenhouse becomes the gardener’s dream come true. Imagine hot-house flowers and fresh vegetables year round, right in your own backyard.... Read More »
Nothing quite hits the spot like a relaxing soak in a hot tub for weary, aching muscles. But is an occasional soak worth the high investment and heavy maintenance? The Pros. The hot water, pulsating jets, and relaxing ambiance after... Read More »
Spring is in the air and many people get antsy about gardening and beautifying their property. Be creative and with a little careful planning, you can develop a garden that is both beautiful and sustainable for many years to come.... Read More »
Outdoor kitchens are becoming quite popular, especially for those who love to entertain. Many of us avoid cooking on hot summer days and the thought of escaping the stuffy confines of the house to the great outdoors is a welcome... Read More »
Landscaping in hilly or sloped areas can present some challenges, but there is no reason why your yard can’t be just as beautiful and awe inspiring as a level yard. When done correctly, landscaping can actually prevent soil erosion... Read More »
A small yard can present some landscaping limitations, but there is no reason why you can’t still enjoy your own backyard paradise. Assuming you are starting from scratch, it helps to sketch out your design ahead of time. Your... Read More »
Any sort of water feature can be an attractive focal point that brings value and beauty to your yard. A fish pond brings an added element of interest in that it brings a touch of nature right into your yard. The proper installation... Read More »
There’s nothing more refreshing than a cool swimming pool to quench the scorching summer heat. What better way to spend your lazy summer afternoons than lounging beside the pool with a cold drink? With summer quickly approaching,... Read More »
A sauna is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions. The oldest known saunas were pits dug in a slope in the ground and primarily used as dwellings in winter. The sauna featured a fireplace... Read More »
There are quite a few different purposes for having outdoor lighting. And almost every home has it. We need outdoor lighting to see where we're going, look out for strange activity, display our homes or accent pieces, display our gardens,... Read More »
By definition, a retaining wall is any structure that holds back soil or rock from a building, structure, or area. They have applications in the commercial, industrial, and residential arenas. You might find a retaining wall keeping... Read More »
What is an annual? It is a plant that lives its entire life cycle from seed to flower to seed again in one growing season. Everything dies after the season is complete, except the seed to revive the plant during the next growing season.... Read More »
Annuals, perennials, biennials…confusing for the beginner; but once you understand the terminology, it's easy. A perennial is probably the gardener's favorite type of plant. For now, let's look at perennials and how to plant them. Perennials... Read More »
Would you like to turn your ordinary backyard hot tub into a relaxing, therapeutic garden spa? We've put together a few ideas to help you create the perfect outdoor oasis, along with tips on blending your hot tub with the natural... Read More »
Have you ever sat outside, on someone else's patio, and thought to yourself, "Wow, what a junkyard." You know what I'm talking about, don't you? Too much clutter and no rhyme or reason; or, too much cement and no greenery.... Read More »
My Great Home features an article entitled "Creative Playgrounds for Small Spaces." This article is chock full of useful information and includes many links for home playground resources. Here is a pertinent excerpt from this article: "Creating... Read More »
According to Wikipedia, terra cotta is a ceramic. Meaning "baked earth" in Latin, terra cotta can be used for vessels, water and wastewater pipes, and surface embellishment in building construction. As a general term, "terra cotta"... Read More »
It could be an alcove built into the side of the house or naturally formed between two boulders at the back of the lot. It could be a hole in an old crumbling wall, a hollowed-out tree trunk, the narrow alley behind a row house, or... Read More »
The commonly accepted rule for stone is that tile stay indoors, pavers stay out. But many homeowners do not realize that tile can not only go outside, but can really spruce up the patio or landscape. In fact, the uses for tile outdoors... Read More »
It may not be at the top of your priority list in the dead of winter, but you might want to give a little more thought to building a gazebo. I know spring seems like a distant thought at the moment, but it will be here before you... Read More »
A dilemma many homeowners face when going on the open market is creating curb appeal. You either have it or you don’t. To solve this setback, many sellers are turning to hardscaping or softscaping, in hopes of attracting more... Read More »
Every spring, soil in yards across the country finds itself turned over, tilled, and trenched in preparation for the long, temperate growing seasons that make much of North America such a vibrant place to live. As rewarding as these... Read More »
Outside we find ourselves in the throes of spring anew. We enjoy the sun's slow return to domination as Mother Nature begins to show her smile once again. Color returns to the stark winter landscape; green grass and leaves return... Read More »
If you want to learn how to build an indoor seed starter and get a jump on growing your own vegetables, here’s your chance. Many avid gardeners don’t take advantage of lag time between the end of winter and early spring.... Read More »
Fertilizer added to the soil gives crucial growth material to plant life. Between organic and inorganic fertilizer, it’s important to understand that there is no fundamental nutritional difference between the two types of fertilizers.... Read More »
Soggy yards combined with hard rains can often lead to a cracked foundation or constant water in a crawl space. Installing a subsurface drainage system can dry out the yard and prevent further damage to the home’s foundation.... Read More »
If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re tired of moving a garden hose all over your yard every other day. Not only is it a big time waster, you also have to remember to move the sprinkler or turn it off. It’s time... Read More »
An island flower bed created in the backyard provides an instant focal point for visitors. This arrangement can serve as the marquee element for years to come. The process is fairly simple. Dig out the flower bed, and then proceed... Read More »
Nature has its own way of keeping things in check. Any deer hunter will tell you that predators (not man) are essential to the overall health of the herd. By thinning the herd, these predators help continue a balanced cycle of life.... Read More »
Weeds grow in different times of the year and under different conditions. Battling any weed problem can be a tough task. Perennial seeds can be dormant for years and then suddenly spread through the garden like a plague. This would... Read More »
Maximizing the space of your garden shed can make all the difference. The shed can be a multi-purpose storage area that holds everything from gardening supplies to gymnasium equipment. Spruce it up by adding a work bench, power... Read More »
Natural swimming pools have been used in Europe for years now. These ponds are just beginning to emerge here in the United States. Natural ponds are chemical free and can be used year-round. They rely on a natural bio filters to... Read More »
Building a planter box is an excellent and popular way to have some woodworking fun and add some style to your deck, patio, walkway, or even your home’s interior. Planters are like miniature gardens, usually containing shrubs... Read More »
One of the greenest things you can do at home is to grow fruit trees. Adding vegetation is great for the environment, air quality, aesthetics, and even for your budget, since picking and eating your own homegrown fruit can cut back... Read More »
Small outdoor spaces are a common issue for many urban- and suburbanites. You might have a patio or deck, balcony or veranda, but little space exists for growing those vegetables that create a fun summer activity as well as feed... Read More »
I’ve got the answer to that annoying neighbor … it’s a fence. Not the one that’s made of wood or iron. This one grows in the ground and can be just as useful. It may take some time for the hedge to fully display its prowess,... Read More »
This natural walkway is attention-grabbing. Sliced trees are set in place to form an enchantingly random pattern. It looks as if a fairytale village is just steps away. Photographed in Maine, the path may lead straight to your next... Read More »
Usually when I moan about the pits, it’s stuff that bums me out. But in this case, it’s the exact opposite. Fire pits are warm, fun and inspirational, and create a lot of entertainment opportunities. Some of my most memorable... Read More »
Beauty may be the only reason you need to justify building a vertical garden like the one shown here. But if you need another piece of validation, it’s space. Has your love of gardening grown faster than your available outdoor square... Read More »
What could be more natural than going au naturale in the great out-of-doors? Many people are finding this reconnection with nature rejuvenating – and amazingly, not a tad out of place in the modern home.Here’s how to create... Read More »
Now that everything is green and growing, it's time to give some attention to your yard space. Too often, the front yard is simply a plot of grass, but yards have the potential for so much more. Here’s to getting some dirt under... Read More »
At last! Home rainwater collection tanks that actually look amazing. Waterwall, a company started by two friends in Melbourne, Australia, created freestanding tanks that collect rainwater from roof runoff to be used in the garden... Read More »
Watering your lawn the proper amount can be nothing more than a guessing game, especially in areas where rain is scarce and water is a precious commodity. Luckily, it's nothing that a little technology can't fix.Irrigation gadgets... Read More »
We recently received the following question from one of our readers, Yolanda, expressing some family frustration over a summer full of cleaning rather than swimming in their swimming pool. Yolanda's inquiry brings up a serious and... Read More »
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