"bar" yards, pictures, and ideas...
Go Tropical with Hardy Hibiscus
Aloha! You don’t have to live in Hawaii, California or South Florida to enjoy the beauty and tropical appeal of hibiscus, with its eye-popping, saucer-like blooms. There are varieties that do well as far north as Wisconsin....
Landscaping Around Eyesores Got You Stumped?
Sometimes, your budget may hold you back from making major changes in your landscaping. You’ve got to look for ways to create an attractive outdoor environment while saving money. Unfortunately, extreme couponing won’t help you pay for stump removal. ...
Summer Fun for Teens in the Backyard
With summer fast approaching, your teenagers will soon be out of school. This time of year, teens need a place to gather that’s safe and fun. Why not make it your back yard? If you make your yard inviting enough, yours can be the “cool” house where all the neighborhood teens gather. ...
Yards Designed By The World’s Best Parents
Some parents (and grandparents) really go all out in turning their backyard into a super-fantastic playground for their progeny. These projects no doubt cost a pretty penny, but it’s worth it to pry kids loose from their X-Box long enough to actually get some physical activity. ...
Get Creative With Containers: Pot Luck Planters
When we think of potting up some plants for our home or garden, we often think of the traditional clay pots or the lighter-weight, clay-colored, plastic pots. But have some fun, use your imagination, and come up with some unique, untraditional containers for your plants. ...
How To Grow A Giant Cabbage
The first thing of course is the seed. I use "Daneli Seeds, Anchorage", which has a cabbage called OS Hybrid Cross. We grow much larger cabbages in Alaska because of the long, long hrs of daylight...20 hrs of direct sun in June!...
Tiki Time!
Whether you’re a Jimmy Buffett “Parrothead” or just daydreaming of the warm sands of Waikiki, nothing says “tropical” better than a tiki bar. So tune up the Macaws and Birds of Paradise, mix up some Mai Tais, and join us on our virtual tour of Polynesia as we visit some great tiki bars!...
Benched! Getting Outdoor Seating Right
If you ever feel like taking a time-out outside, you need a place to sit. A very large anthill can be an invigorating seating option, but it’s not one we recommend for long term use. For a more traditional solution, consider adding a bench or two to your landscape....
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....
