"art" yards, pictures, and ideas...
Achieve Patio Perfection On A Budget
Vonnie from Texas has the right idea when it comes to creating a private patio space that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Planning an affordable outdoor living space requires looking beyond the initial stages and having an idea of how things can look once you’ve added all the embellishments. ...
Feed the Earth! A Guide to Composting
If you’ve ever tried to grow a lush, productive vegetable or flower garden in your yard—which you hoped would be the envy of your neighbors—only to have pale, lifeless plants emerge from the earth and struggle to hang on, then you may need to practice composting. ...
What Is Integrated Pest Management?
Integrated pest management – sometimes called IPM or integrated gardening – is not nearly as complicated as it sounds. Simply put, it is an environmentally friendly approach to pest management that uses minimal amounts of chemical pesticides....
The Not-So-Subtle Tropical Plant
Tropical plants are prized for their lush foliage, brilliant flowers and bold, exotic appearance. Typically grown outdoors where winters are mild and humidity is high, their ideal climate and growing conditions can be duplicated almost anywhere by moving them inside near a......
Home on the Range? Country Western Yards
Grandpa, tell me ‘bout the good old days, sings Wynonna Judd, reminding us of days that never were. We’ve all got a tendency to romanticize lifestyles of the past – and cowboy culture is no exception. ...
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....
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....
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....
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....
