"." yards, pictures, and ideas...
Old Roses: The Ultimate Antique
The old rose is a living testament to history and to man’s quest for beauty. The term, “old rose” means a rose with ancient ancestors, one that has not been hybridized but has been vegetatively propagated—passed down through history by obtaining “cuttings” from the plant....
Glamorous Gateways
If you could have any gate in the world in your yard, what would it be? The Brandenburg Gate? The Gates of Cairo? A Stargate? Bill Gates? Unfortunately, most of our gate choices are limited by budget constraints, available space, and the laws of physics....
Fire Pit Design Tips From The Masters
Building a backyard fire pit is a favorite DIY project. You dig a hole, put some bricks and sand in the bottom, and install a decorative pit border with some rocks or bricks. Sounds simple, right?...
Fountain, Fountain On The Wall
It’s rare to find a painting that’s sufficiently weather-proof to hang on an exterior wall. So, you’ve got to find other ways to deck these spaces with art. Metal work is nice, and so are tile murals. But there’s nothing like a fountain to add sound and motion to your outdoor décor....
Good Landscape Lighting Makes a Night and Day Difference
Have you ever noticed that as we get older, soft lighting makes us look better? Well, the same often holds true for landscaping. Even the most luscious, green, and perfectly manicured yard is even more magical at night when it’s been strategically lit....
The Art (or Science?) of Good Soil
To have a sturdy building, you’ve got to have a good foundation. The same could be said of plants – having good soil can make or break your garden. Before you can improve the quality of your soil, you first need to know what good soil is....
Five More Tips for Terrific Tomatoes
Okay, so now you know to heat your soil, pluck suckers, prune, bury deep, and fan your stems. What else could there be? Here are five more tips. ...
Five Foolproof Tomato Growing Tips
Growing tomatoes is easy, but growing the picture-perfect tomatoes we all want isn’t. I remember when I began growing vegetables; I had visions of big, shiny, juicy, red tomatoes. Unfortunately, the tomatoes I grew didn’t measure up to this ideal....
Pros and Cons of Trees Near Your Outdoor Kitchen
One of the most pleasant aspects of having an outdoor kitchen is being able to spend time in the fresh air. On cool days, it’s also nice to have the sun shining down on you. But most people want some shade over their cooking area to help beat the heat during the prime BBQ season of summer....
Invite These Critters To Infest Your Pool
Do you ever get that creepy feeling like someone is watching you? If you’re out swimming, there might be any number of critters peering at you. Don’t worry; they’re not judging your cellulite. They just enjoy hanging out at the pool. ...
