| Make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood
Curb appeal is something homeowners always have tucked into the back of their minds, even if they aren't planning on selling or moving any time soon. |
 | Landscaping with retaining walls adds curb appeal, usability to your home
The best investment you can make in your home - both for your pocketbook and your personal enjoyment - is in landscaping. Real estate experts agree that every dollar you put into your yard eventually will return one to two dollars when you sell. And at a time when home values are sagging, that's something to consider. |
| Prep your home now to keep bugs out this spring
As the weather warms up, life begins to pop up around the home. Spring is when flowers start blooming, grass turns green, birds return to the feeders - and insects and pests crawl out of the woodwork. Yikes! Yes, spring brings into your house the bugs and critters you'd prefer stay outside in the backyard. And not only do these creepy critters make your skin crawl, but they could potentially pass on to your family several different illnesses or cause damage to your house and possessions. |
 | Time to sell? Your outdoor spaces can be the bonus buyers want
If you're preparing to sell this spring but aren't in a position to invest in ambitious renovations, such as a kitchen remodel or new hardwood floors, the best advice is to look to the "bonus" spaces in and around your home and maximize their appeal. |
| Snow and ice removal a matter of safety and liability
As residents and business owners tire of clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, they are probably not thinking about lawsuits, fines and jail time. But maybe they should. The public's demand for winter safety and mobility isn't confined to roadways alone; it also includes pedestrian safety and mobility. |
 | Make your outdoor living spaces more beautiful and functional with proper lighting
As winter's cold winds fade into memory, we're all eager to get outside and enjoy warmer weather. But if poor lighting means your outdoor activities end when the sun goes down, it may be time to brighten up. |
 | Growing roses is easy with these simple tips
No other flower can evoke romance in the garden like a rose. As America's favorite flower, roses can be found adorning homes in quaint coastal villages to rural farmlands, modern cities to quiet mountain retreats. With a little know-how, you can grow healthy, beautiful roses that you can show off with pride. |
 | Don't trash that banana peel - composting is an easy, eco-friendly alternative
Recycling is certainly not a new concept. In fact, gardeners have been using one form of recycling - composting - for about as long as people have tilled the soil. Composting is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to give your garden a boost. |
 | Get a jump start on growing food and flowers this spring with raised garden beds
The popularity of urban gardening has exploded over the past couple of years, due in part to increased awareness about food safety, the financial stresses of the economy and a growing desire to be eco-friendly. |
 | Inspect home fencing to ensure safety and security
Weather extremes are brutal on exterior landscaping. Rain, snow, wind and temperature variances all take a toll, especially on residential fencing. Now's the time to inspect fencing, gates and gate hardware around your property to ensure all are in good working condition. |
 | Take the sweat out of your DIY projects this spring
You've been dreaming about digging in your garden, tweaking your landscaping or improving your house all winter long. Finally the weather is nice, your yard is clear and dry and it's time for you to get your hands dirty and start working. |
 | Gardening is making a popular comeback
Change has come to America. The pop culture phrase "show me the money," boiling throughout business and industry, has cooled down and is forcing people to take a hard look at what is really important in life. |
 | The 60-degree factor: What to do when the temperature tells you it's time to get out in the lawn and garden
Like an alarm clock for our senses and our gardens, the thermometer swelling to 60 degrees awakens us in the spring. We all get the irresistible urge to get outside, birds are chirping, animals come out from hibernation and plants start unfurling their leaves and flowers to color our world. |
 | Expert tips for creating a beautiful landscape
It may be cold outside, but homeowners are already dreaming of creating beautiful garden settings around their homes come spring. Landscaping success doesn't have to be hit or miss, and if it has been for you, it may be time to call in a professional landscape designer. |
 | Bring early spring to your home with indoor gardening
Do images of flowering trellises laden with yellow, pink, green and purple blooms dance through your dreams? You may be ready for some warm spring-like temperatures, but the weather outside is still a little frightful. Ignore the weather and bring spring inside with some indoor gardening. |
 | New garden superstars blend charm and practicality
From hardy hybrids to stylish, smart gardens, spring 2010 promises exciting new plants and products for garden lovers everywhere. |
 | Bring garden cheer into your home with color
Even in the throes of winter, when most gardens are hibernating under a cold-weather blanket, it's easy to bring the warm, vibrant feelings of spring into the home with colors, textures and patterns. |
 | Tips for growing easy care orchids
Think orchids are just for those with green thumbs and garden aprons filled with gadgets and secret instructions? Think again. Now there are no-fear orchids for everyone that will reward you with fabulous blooms for months on end. |
 | How to care for your feathered garden friends year round
Your garden says a lot about who you are. By carefully choosing and arranging plants, tilling soil, and caring for your flowers and vegetables, you bring a part of nature into your life. In addition to the visual appeal of the plants, gardens attract wildlife. Rabbits and squirrels, butterflies and birds all enjoy your garden, adding to the beauty. |
