Read the latest articles from Bob Vila

The Best Grass Shears
Reviews

We Tested 11 Pairs of Grass Shears—These 8 are a Cut Above the Rest 

Even the best lawn mower can miss a spot or two where stubborn grass dodges the mower’s blades. Easily clip back these areas using the best grass shears for a beautifully manicured lawn.

A country style kitchen with an island with butcher block countertops and a breakfast bar with granite countertops.
Interior

The Best Countertop Material for Every Type of Kitchen

Visual appeal is understandably a big part of choosing a kitchen worktop, but how will the material perform? Here are the key facts to know before your next kitchen remodel.

A family gets ready to leave their home for vacation.
Lawn & Garden

How to Keep Your Garden Happy While You Are on Vacation

Come home to a healthy lawn and garden by planning ahead and preparing plants for your absence.

A cabin-style house with lawn furniture sitting under several shady, mature trees.
Lawn & Garden

The 20 Best Trees to Plant in Your Backyard for Privacy and Shade

The right tree can provide colorful foliage, a home for a treehouse, or a living barrier between you and the neighbors. Which of these best suits your backyard?

Early Memorial Day Deals
Reviews

Our Favorite Early Memorial Day Sales Include Free Power Tools and More

These early Memorial Day deals include some of the lowest prices this year on trusted brands.

The Best Fertilizers For Plumerias Options
Reviews

Boost Blooms and Grow Healthier Plants With 2025’s Best Fertilizers for Plumerias

Maintain vibrant blooms and optimal growth outside of a tropical habitat with sunlight, water, and the right fertilizers for plumeria.

A man squats to collect pine mulch and put it in a bucket.
Lawn & Garden

Guide to Using Pine Straw Mulch

Explore why you might want to choose pine straw as your preferred landscaping mulch, and learn how and when to apply it.

An empty above-ground poo in a backyard.
Exterior

Tips for Above-Ground Swimming Pool Maintenance

Keep your above-ground pool clean and in top shape to extend its lifespan, avoid costly repairs, and enjoy a summer full of fun.

A group of the best stand-up weeders in front of a garage door before testing.
Reviews

The Best Stand-Up Weeders Are Our Secret Weapon for Pulling Weeds Without Bending

Can you avoid back problems by using a stand-up weeder? We tested some of the top-rated models to find out.

A group of concrete cleaners on a concrete driveway
Reviews

We Tested the Best Concrete Cleaners and Our Results Were Extraordinary

Don’t put up with a cruddy driveway or a moldy foundation when one of these quality cleaners may be able to get it looking like new.

Bob Vila writer holding Stihl FSA 80 R Battery-Powered String Trimmer during battery trimmer testing.
Reviews

We Spent Over 20 Hours Testing the Best Battery Trimmers to Find the 9 Best Options

Cordless string trimmers are quieter and more eco-friendly than their gas-guzzling cousins. We tested today’s top models to find out how they fared.

The Best Solar Deck Lights Options
Reviews

We Tested the Best Solar Deck Lights. These Are Our 9 Top Choices to Light Up Any Deck

The best solar deck lights add attractive ambient and functional lighting to your outdoor space.

Best Garden Hoes close-up laid on grass
Reviews

We Found the Best Garden Hoe After Spending 2 Weeks Digging in the Dirt

The simple garden hoe is still a top tool for keeping flower and vegetable gardens weed-free.

Ninja Swirl close-up
Reviews

The Ninja Swirl Satisfies My Soft Serve Cravings at Home

Make creamy hard- and soft-serve cones all year long in the comfort of your own home.

Ground-level view looking up into an outdoor sconce in which a light bulb broke in the socket.
DIY

3 Ways to Remove a Broken Light Bulb

When a light bulb breaks in its socket, it can be tricky to extract it without cutting yourself on the broken glass. To get the bulb out, reach for a potato—or one of these other tools.

A man installs a rain gutter to the exterior of a home.
Exterior

How to Install Rain Gutters

Follow these simple steps to save money by installing your own rain gutters.

The Best Root Killers for Sewer Lines Options
Reviews

6 Root Killers for Sewer Lines That Won’t Damage Your Pipes

Before paying for an expensive plumber, try using one of these products to remove those troublesome roots and clear a blocked drain.

The Best Kitchen Sinks Options
Reviews

Our Favorite Kitchen Sinks Are As Functional As They Are Beautiful

From farmhouse rustic to modern stainless, our guide lists the best kitchen sinks to suit anyone’s special sense of kitchen style.

Trunks of many trees in an open field all painted white.
Lawn & Garden

Why Are Some Tree Trunks Painted White?

There's a good reason why you might spot whitewashed trees in your neighborhood.

The Best Above-Ground Pool on a white background.
Reviews

These 9 Above-Ground Pool Filters Will Keep Algae and Debris out of Your Pool All Summer

Keep your above-ground pool clean and sparkling clear with one of these top filters.