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Ask any group of gardeners to cite their least favorite task is and you’re bound to hear a chorus of “Weeding!” Rampa...
Ring toss, tetherball, lawn bowling—these outdoor games are not only fun to play, they're super easy to make.
Beautiful yards and lush landscapes don’t happen by chance. They require frequent hands-on attention to keep the gras...
The seemingly endless cycle of summer yard maintenance often motivates homeowners to think about buying a new lawn mo...
Low-growing greenery that reproduces by means of spores, moss can be a lovely velvety addition to your landscape if g...
A great-looking lawn doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work and lots of care to keep your grass healthy and green. Luckily, the secrets to fabulous, lush grass a...
When the time comes to buy a backyard shed, size is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Surprisingly, th...
When it comes to buying lawn sprinklers, homeowners are spoiled for choice. But which sprinklers are worth your money and which should you skip? The answer depend...
Landing on the food at your backyard barbecue. Buzzing around your face as you do yard work. Zipping through your fro...
Most homeowners are eager to improve their outdoor living space, but professional landscaping services and patio furniture cost a pretty penny these days. Don’t g...
You’re probably familiar with the amazing, healing properties of Epsom salts. But did you know these minerals are a p...
If mice, voles, or spiders have taken up residence on your lawn or in your garden, consider befriending their enemy: ...
Ever wondered how those striking stripes wound up on the turf of your favorite ballpark or golf course? They aren’t t...
If you’ve ever been out on a summer evening outdoors only to be startled by an inch-long, slow-flying beetle crashing...
Are you familiar with the phrase, “If you build it, they will come”? It applies not only to baseball fields in Kevin ...
The iconic white picket fence symbolic of the American dream? It was surely made of wood. Yet wood fences also come i...
While you may be concerned with watering or fertilizing during the growing season, are you giving your soil considera...
Q: I haven't changed my lawn mower's oil since last season, so I'm feeling rusty. Remind me: What type of oil can I u...
Do you ever dream of a beautiful backyard that takes care of itself, leaving you free to simply lounge in a hammock? Well, a completely self-sufficient garden may...
A backyard shed is <em>great</em> for all-purpose storage, but it can be so much more than just a place to stash landscaping tools. Today, folks of all stripes ar...
If you’re ready to upgrade to a new lawn mower but aren’t sure you want a traditional gas-powered model, consider goi...
Even without the perfect growing conditions or abundant acreage, you can create a wow-worthy landscape. In fact, the surprising secret to success isn't actually <...
Never underestimate the importance of curb appeal. Not only does your home exterior give a first impression to guests, it can also influence real estate transacti...
With warmer temperatures finally on their way, we all want to kick back and have fun. But between heavy-duty spring cleaning inside the house and all the accumula...
Manual reel lawn mowers may invoke nostalgia for the good old days before powerful riding versions arrived to wake th...
Laying sod isn't a trivial, low-effort project, but careful preparation makes the job a whole lot easier and signific...
When’s the best time to fertilize your lawn? Opinions do vary but generally speaking, most agree that it's best to fe...
A yard is more than grass that you have to mow, it's an extension of your living space. Homeowners who commit time and money toward landscaping their yard not onl...
Exterior upgrades enhance the look of your property and can offer recreational benefits. Not every renovation, however, produces a return on investment, and some ...
If you’re a homeowner in the process of winterizing your property, by late fall you’ve probably already replaced the ...
Few things in nature are as striking as brilliant red and gold foliage in autumn. But even the most beautiful leaves eventually fall, and when too many of them ac...
Whether you love fall, or dread it, there's no arguing that autumn is here and winter is right around the corner. Bef...
In general, cutting wet grass isn’t a good idea. Here’s why:CM_BVNOTES-1740-4Listen to BOB VILA ON CUTTING WET GRASS ...
While turning leaves are lovely, once they start to drop, the task of clearing walkways and readying your yard for wi...
You may think of spring as the season to really get going on the garden, but professional landscapers know that fall is actually the best time to work in the yard...
There's no shortage of wood fence options. Which is the right type for your property? In the end, it really comes dow...
Q: My lawn was so lush and green last year but this year it’s full of unsightly brown patches that won’t green up no ...
Artificial grass made its big debut at the Astro Dome in 1966—hence the term Astroturf—but it’s come a long way since...
Whether it's small or large, the yard plays host to a number of important activities: It's where you connect with loved ones, escape the busy-ness of the “real” w...
Your lawn and garden need a variety of nutrients to grow and stay healthy. Soil is an important source of key nutrien...
Drought conditions, combined with scorching summer temperatures, can make it hard to keep your lawn properly watered....
They've been around for years, but electric lawn mowers never quite caught on. That may be changing, though, as elect...
Characterized by its showy, star-shaped foliage, English ivy (Hedera helix) might seem a fine choice for landscaping ...
A rain garden is an excavated depression, surrounded on one or more sides by an earthen berm for water retention, and...
Unless you live in an area with drought conditions, rain usually supplies a good bit of moisture for our lawns. But t...
A yard with lumps and bumps is not only unattractive, it’s also a potential safety hazard with ample opportunity to c...
Q: Recently, my mower started billowing smoke when I powered it up, so I shut it off immediately. Why is my lawn mowe...
Has your lawn seen better days? From overgrown weeds to brown patches, an unkempt yard might be bringing down your curb appeal a few notches. But before you shell...
Q: I started seeing brown patches on my lawn at the end of spring. They seem to have grown in size and number since t...
When used effectively, mulch insulates soil, locks in moisture, keeps out weeds, protects sensitive plants, plus it g...
They may be perceived as sneaky, slimy, and scary, but most snakes are not dangerous to humans. And, to their credit,...
You may be surprised at the number of very common plants—both indoor and out—that are toxic to pets. Check out our list of landscaping stalwarts that can make you...
During the summer months, nothing beats kicking back in a hammock and swaying gently on a warm breeze with a paperbac...
Also known as sheet mulching, lasagna gardening provides for richer soil and fewer weeds. The best part? You don't ha...
Many homeowners like to enjoy the warmer months by entertaining in the backyard, dining on the patio, and playing law...
I’ve seen a neighbor mow the lawn in the morning shortly after sprinklers quit, but I was under the impression that t...
Deer are delightful romping through the forest but can wreak havoc in a garden, decimating vegetables, fruit trees, l...
Whoever said, “The grass is always greener on the other side” probably wasn’t using the right stuff. When it comes to...
There are many factors that contribute to a green and lush lawn. Healthy turf grass starts with choosing the right se...
If you’ve got grass, it may feel that the more you mow, the more it grows! But keeping your lawn neatly manicured is ...
Everyone wants a lush, green lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood, but no one wants to work too hard at it! The s...
Q: I’d like to lay some grass seed this year, but I don’t want to get the timing wrong and create more work than nece...
If your lawn features a lot of “interruptions”—trees, shrubbery, pavers, and pathways—odds are that you struggle with...
Q: I notice neighbors’ sprinklers running at all hours of the day. What’s the best time to water grass—and how much i...
Who knew? You might be the only thing standing in the way of your best-ever lawn. If the grass looks greener on the o...
Even as a kid, when my five-dollar allowance depended on it, I hated mowing the lawn. Decades later, things have chan...
The winter blues are real, but there’s hope, even for what feels like a cold, dead, and lifeless yard. Eject the doldrums from your winter landscape with one of t...
Mulch may not be a miracle cure for all that ails your garden, but according to professional gardeners and arborists,...
You rely on your sprinklers to keep your lawn looking great most of the year, but when autumn rolls along you need to...
Every gardener wants to grow the best-tasting tomatoes, the brightest zinnias, and the healthiest shrubs, but no one ...
Stubborn weeds are the bane of a beautiful lawn. Yet, although it's pretty stubborn, clover (aka Trifolium repens) is...
Beautifully mowing a lawn without edging the perimeter and beds is like getting an amazing haircut but leaving an ove...
From the zigzag post-and-rail of the Colonial era to the elaborate molded vinyl styles of today, fences have always b...
Your grass can tell you a lot about its health and well-being, if you only know how to listen. Learn the language of your lawn by clicking through this list of si...
Whether your yard is large or small, minimally landscaped or filled with flower beds, one of the easiest ways to keep...
Summer teases us with warm breezes and long days just perfect for relaxation and repose. But for many homeowners, too...
Nothing spoils an outdoor gathering like unwanted guests, namely the buzzy ones. Enjoy summer nights free from the mo...
Whether you plan to spend July relaxing in the backyard, or vacationing away from home, there are some household projects that can't wait. Before you soak up all ...
Q: After every rain shower, I find mushrooms popping up all over the lawn. What can I do to get rid of them and keep ...
While your yard may take its fair share of work to maintain and manicure, it can actually be pretty easy to keep it f...
They don’t care who you are or where you live. You won’t see them coming, and by the time they make their presence kn...
How you choose to eradicate weeds depends on your patience, physical abilities, and environmental ethics. You could g...
Lawn care can be a tedious chore, but once the grass starts growing in the spring, mowing becomes an inevitable fact ...
A beautiful lawn is a reflection of the care you put into it. But sometimes, a particular maintenance routine can do more harm than good. Here are 11 common care ...
With cold weather finally on the way out, April offers the opportunity to return to outdoor living. Prep your space for spring and summer by maintaining the home ...
Spring has officially sprung, which means it’s time to turn your attention to your flowers, bushes, trees, and—most i...
The chirping of crickets in the yard: It's a familiar hallmark of summer, and for plenty of homeowners it's a pleasan...
Grass can be great—when it’s like lush, lovely lot-to-lot carpeting beneath your feet. Flawless grass can be a pain t...
Q: Help! Last year our lawn looked a little too brown for my liking. When should I fertilize our grass to ensure a lu...
At the start of growing season, part of the necessary prep every homeowner with hopes of a greener yard tacks (or sho...
Winter is coming to a close, which means it’s time to brush off those patio chairs, barbecue pits, and, most importan...
No one enjoys sacrificing a weekend to raking, weeding, and winterizing, but fall yard cleanup is a necessary evil. It's important to clear debris away from your ...
In many parts of the country, 'tis the time for trees to start showing signs of crimson and gold. Yet while fall foli...
Nothing says family fun like a little bit of competition! When the weather's nice, there are many great backyard game...
What better way to celebrate the end of summer than with a good old-fashioned campfire, surrounded by friends and fam...
David Mellor was on his way to an athletic scholarship and a promising pitching career when tragedy struck: He got hi...
The great outdoors is great for everyone, particularly your four-pawed pals. “The home can get boring for pets," says...
Though young children love dandelions for their bright yellow flowers and their irresistibly entertaining, fluffy see...
Whether it’s the colorful buds that line your front walkway or the blooming beds out back, incorporating a lush garde...
With the summer season nearing its peak, chances are that your lawn mower would benefit from a bit of mid-season TLC....
Maybe you’re a first-time homeowner who is looking to put your personal stamp on your new abode. Or you may be thinking of putting your house on the market and wa...
Keeping your lawn green, lush, and healthy might as well be a full-time job for many homeowners. It's a time consuming seasonal task that leaves many folks desper...
The road to a beautiful lawn doesn’t have to be paved with a schedule of chemical treatments. There are several homegrown tips and techniques you can use to help ...
Is your lawn getting to be a real pain in the… grass? If your relaxing weekends have been supplanted by the never-ending work of mowing, fertilizing, watering, an...
Your lawn mower has more in common with a race car than you might think. To stay in top working order, both require t...
What's the difference between your lawn and the one next door? If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it could be that you're making one of th...
'Tis the season when all the creepy, crawly, and buzzy things are waking up and starting to stir. The same goes for m...
Birds eat bugs, propagate seeds, and bring your garden to life with color, movement, and song. Yet, “the greatest joy...
One man's weed is another man's best friend. That's certainly true for many of the weeds that are found in backyards around the country. While some gardeners labo...
May is a practically perfect month for home improvement. Across much of the country, the mild weather makes it just as feasible to work on the outside of your hom...
Easy access to essential tools makes gardening more of a pleasure than a chore. And when these pieces are simple to store, you’re likely to take better care of th...
Some people love the backbreaking business of tending to lawn and garden. Then there’s the rest of us—who’d rather relax and let that little piece of heaven large...
It’s a basic human desire to own a little plot of land. But what if your plot is really, really little? With some clever planning and a few spatial and visual tri...
Essential for everything from bathing to eating, and from cleaning your house to maintaining your garden, clean water is one resource that is hard to go a day wit...
Reviving your lawn after a cold winter can be a challenging task. From seeding and aerating, proper spring lawn care encompasses a range of responsibilities. In o...
After a cold and blustery winter, homeowners are geared up and ready to get back outside. First on many to-do lists i...
Spring will be here soon enough. It's the perfect time to tidy up—both indoors and out—and take stock of your home. Whether you're planning your garden, growing a...
Lower maintenance lawns are becoming more and more popular. Finding ways to decrease the amount of grass in the yard can reduce your reliance on watering, chemica...
This time of year, the intrusive sound of leaf blowers is a constant presence in nearly every neighborhood. But blowe...
Every year, fall reintroduces us to a raft of pleasures that we get to experience in no other season—hot apple cider,...
You may practically live in your yard all summer long, but once the cool weather sets in, it's time to pack it in and get busy winterizing your lawn to protect it...
Congratulations, you've managed to keep your lawn alive through the stifling summer heat. Now in fall—with winter on the horizon—you may be tempted to rest on you...
Autumn is generally seen as the season of winding down before winter dormancy. But when it comes to lawn care, fall i...
With all the turf you've been trimming this summer, now's a good time to give your mower some well-deserved TLC. That...
Summertime is great for beaches, boating, and barbecues. But it's not so great for turf grasses. They tend to take a ...
Remember that old saying, "The grass is greener on the other side"? Not true. You can get the lawn of your dreams. Th...
Whatever type of turf you have in your yard, if you want to keep it looking its best, make sure your mower is set to ...
Roll out the welcome mat for friendly insects that will get on your garden's good side. While some insects like aphids and grasshoppers can wreak havoc on gardens...
Nothing epitomizes leisure more than a swimming pool. For some it is a symbol of affluence, but for others a pool is ...
Regular mowing is not only beneficial to the look of your lawn, but also to its health. Whether you've recently purch...
Crabgrass is a pesky interloper that can really ruin the look of your lawn. Left unchecked, it can spread quickly acr...
Many of us have a love-hate relationship with our lawns. Although we enjoy the cool carpet of green grass to lie on and play on in summer, no one wants to spend h...
If you are one of the many homeowners who labor in pursuit of the perfect lawn, then you know what a menace crabgrass...
Soil matters. To the plants you wish to grow in your garden, nothing is as important as what's in or missing from the...
Everyone wants a green lawn. Not only does it look good, it reflects a pride of home ownership that is undeniable. Bu...
It's not easy maintaining a lush carpet of green grass. We only see the blades on the lawn surface, but the health of...
If you want to put your best gardening foot forward this spring, it is important to take your first steps in the right direction. Decisions you make in early spri...
If you think of moss just as a nuisance in your lawn, or as something that doesn’t gather on a rolling stone, it’s ti...
Do you want to establish a new lawn or rescue a worse-for-wear patch on your property? The solution is, of course, to...
Your front yard, regardless of its size, plays an important role in your home's overall curb appeal. Your landscaping...
You know how to care for your lawn, but how about your mower? Mowers need some TLC after sitting in a cold shed or garage all winter long. Before grass-growing se...
Spring is near, and for many that means coaxing the lawn back into shape. Growing grass can be frustrating and reward...
A green, good-looking lawn adds serious curb appeal and can even increase a home’s value. Thanks to major improvement...
At the tail end of the winter season, homeowners face the sometimes daunting but always exciting prospect of readying...
This time of year, those of us who are lucky enough to have trees that provide summer shade have to pay for that priv...
Fall brings football, hot apple cider, pumpkin carving, and other seasonal delights. But for homeowners with deciduou...
Many people are working hard to reduce their carbon footprint, driving more efficient cars and improving the energy e...
Americans are not bashful when it comes to expressing their love of lawns—it has been estimated that there are more t...
Lawn care can be especially demanding these days, with wacky weather throwing homeowners around the country for a loo...
<p>A green lawn is the coveted prize of every homeowner. Nothing feels better than walking through the cool grass in your bare feet during summer. Though we love ...
Tired of standing next to your planting beds, garden hose in hand? Concerned about getting too much water where you d...
If you want to spark a raging debate among gardeners, ask them how they feel about clover. Some homeowners will give ...
Loads of hoses claim to be kink-free, but is there really such a thing as a no-kink garden hose? As it turns out, there is.
Let's talk garden hoses. Every home needs at least one, whether to water the lawn, wash the car, or run the Slip 'n S...
A beautiful green lawn requires regular watering to keep it looking great. The trick is to use enough water to keep y...
It’s been about 18 months since we moved into our house, but only recently have we begun to landscape beyond the basi...
Overcome common lawn blights and return your grass to its former green glory.
These mighty mowers made the cut by earning high marks from consumer and testing sites around the web.
[bobsays_inset]Grass. It’s easy to plant, covers most types of terrain, and feels good under bare feet in the summer....
Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to think about lawn maintenance again. Go ahead and tune up your mower and sta...
There’s nothing like a beautiful green lawn to make your house look great. Now that spring is here, it’s time to get ...
As the growing season picks up, so does the drive to fertilize. Surely, your lawn could use a little help as it gets ...
If your current lawn mower was built to last, it's probably been a while since you've shopped for a new one! When you...
If you haven’t done it already, this is the time to winterize your yard! Make a list of the things you need to do to...
Fall lawn care is as important as what you do in the spring, because encouraging deep roots will help your lawn resis...
As you start putting your lawn to bed, you must take care of three fall lawn maintenance tasks now to secure healthy ...
Summer is a tough time for lawns, and this summer was especially tough on some. But every year we get a do-over in th...
Since moving from the city to the 'burbs, I’ve gotten reacquainted with one of my weekly teenage chores (for which I ...
When we moved from New York City to a beach town in Southern, DE, we suddenly went from having zero lawn to caring fo...
Irrigating your yard can really be wasteful and expensive; clean water is a precious commodity, and not just in deser...
I’m a novice gardener. We moved to Southern Delaware after living 20 years in New York City. I struggled there to kee...
Since moving from a small NYC apartment a little over a year ago, we have been slowly acquiring all of the suburban h...
It’s the great American obsession, and we spend about twenty-five billion dollars a year on it, but if lawn care is e...
When it comes to your landscape, one of the most time-consuming summer chores is mowing. At this time of year, under ...
Mowing accidents lead to 68,000 trips to the emergency room every year, according to the American Academy of Pediatri...
If you’ve got a half-acre or more of lawn to mow, a riding lawnmower or a garden tractor is a great tool to have. LIS...
There's more to today's artificial turf products than just good looks. Here are seven reasons to consider one of the new "grass" products.
To achieve a greener lawn, you don’t have to layer on the artificial fertilizers and toxic pesticides. Using natural ...
Pennington Seed has been cultivating and improving lawn seed for more than 60 years, so I was delighted to have the o...
Having a lawn doesn’t always mean you can grow grass. Some places are simply too shady or too wet for any variety of ...
To do a thorough job of spring home maintenance and cleaning, follow these easy and smart routines.
I had the pleasure of touring the Husqvarna Research & Development headquarters in Charlotte, NC a few weeks ago ...
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley build a redwood deck. Carpenter Danny Ruffini installs a custom-made redwood-and-cedar fence on the perimeter.
Bob checks in with carpenter Bob Ryley as he lays out and begins to frame the deck.
Bob talks with landscape architect Rick Lamb about revisions to the plan. Bob points out the redesigned parking area and the plan for magically melting the snow.
Bob visits the Burpee trial gardens in Ambler, PA, to review the current and future catalog of plants and flowers.
Bob meets with Mark Marini of Schumacher Landscaping to discuss the installation of the bluestone pavers on the lower terrace.
Bob visits Fairsted, home of Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect responsible for most of this country's great public parks, pointing out its color sche...
Bob reviews the Allen Block retaining wall that is being installed in the backyard. This secondary terrace will serve to transition from the wood deck to the big ...
Landscaping architects Rick and Nancy Lamb present their ideas to Bob for converting the landscape and creating urban spaces.
Bob meets with landscape architects Rick and Nancy Lamb to assess the back yard. Arborist Charley Cummings trims some Hemlock trees.
Bob takes a break from putting his own landscape in order to tour the elaborate gardens at the Naumkeag historic house in Stockbridge, MA.
Bob meets with a local real estate broker and with homeowner Sarah Monzon, whose basement will be finished to create additional family space.
Backyard landscaping has progressed with the completion of stone work, new plantings, weed control, and the installation of artificial grass.
Old gutters are replaced and external landscaping continues with the trimming of a tree, installing a front garden, and creating steps from recycled granite.
Stone workers install a granite retaining wall, replace a front walkway, and build a backyard patio.
Bob does a walkthrough of the finished Punta Gorda home. He discusses sustainable gardening, water conservation and low-maintenance plants. Then he joins Leslie...
Angela Polo and Ken Micklow shows Bob dwarf planting ideas and install a raised vegetable garden which requires soil enhancement, Craig Harmer shows Bob natural p...
Ken Micklow and Trent Culleny talk with Bob about native, storm-resistant gardening. Then Carm DiBella shows Bob an environmentally friendly termite protection s...
Bob and landscape designer Ruth Foster tour Mahoney's Garden Center to discuss landscape elements for the project house.
Landscape designer Ruth Foster offers a brief lesson about planting techniques
Bob, alongside architect Kristian Fenderson and Tom Strangfeld (from Weston Nurseries), walks the property, focusing on the planting selected for this home.
Bob and general contractor Sam Daniel discuss the landscaping of the Virginia governor's mansion.
Bob tours the exterior with general contractor Sam Daniel. Then, he joins architect John Paul Hanbury and interior designer Barbara Page, and, together, they roll...
Bob points out that the side porch is nearly complete and remarks on the landscaping, before he meets homeowner Jim Verity on the completed front porch.
Contractors put the finishing touches on the front porch by adding new Yellow Pine shutters and a coat of Sherwin Williams latex paint to the exterior.
Bob visits the completed house and talks to the homeowners about their new home's new façade, with its completed porch and newly landscaped yard.
Bob reviews the existing landscape with landscape architect Juan Capote, and the two discuss Juan's plans to improve it.
Bob meets with contractor Ed Weller for a project update. The patio is well underway and the landscaping is beginning. A stone grill has been started and, inside,...
Bob meets with landscape architect Juan Capote to discuss the installation of a sod lawn. Juan talks about the types and grading of sod used in this project.
Bob confers with contractor and carpenter Cortney Lofton, as he builds a pergola at the Studio City bungalow, which will serve as a gate to the backyard.
Landscape designer Ruth Foster explains her selection of plant material and flowering shrubs for the backyard and directs the planting of a Sephora Japonica shade...
Bob and landscape designer Ruth Foster tour the new formal courtyard and discuss how the plants will grow over time, granting privacy to guests and the homeowners.
Bob talks with landscape architect Clara Bachelor about the condition of the yard and the final landscape design.
Bob tours the exterior of the project home, focusing on the architectural detail and final landscape design. He then moves inside to review the custom stair raili...
Bob meets with a landscaper to discuss the existing plantings, some of which will be removed or cut back to maximize the amount of interior light. Trees, shrubs, ...
A trellis-- the frame and lattice of which have been built in the workshop-- is installed in the front yard.
With Bob having decided to alter the landscape design, shrubs are transplanted and perennials are planted. Plus, sodding goes down to create a grass lawn.
Bob meets with landscape contractor John Wall to talk over removing existing plant material.
Bob discusses the addition of a swimming pool with the project architect.
Bob visits Joanne, a landscape designer, at a local nursery to find plants for the project house's outdoor space.
Bob has a discussion the landscape architect, Joanne Smallwood, and new wooden fence is installed.
Remodeling of the cracker cottage is complete. Bob tours the home, starting with the exterior and the landscape.
Bob discusses landscaping with specialist Susan Hofer. Topics include sod, a gravel driveway, brickwork, fences, and perennials.
The finishing touches are put on the garden while the exterior painting is completed.
A sloping bank descends from deck level to the yard. Landscape designer Ruth Foster explains her choice of plantings for this garden: It will be green, with junip...
Bob meets with landscape designer Ruth Foster, who explains the correct method of planting bulbs. For turf, Foster suggests a relaxed approach, with perennial rye...
Landscape designer Ruth Foster joins Bob to review the landscaping plan. Foster has selected a hedge and evergreens to screen the yard from street traffic and ne...
