Outdoor Living Ideas & Trends - Page 7

Bring butterflies and hummingbirds home with a single plant

June 9, 2017

Bring butterflies and hummingbirds home with a single plant

The humble scarlet beebalm (Monarda didyma) has a lot to recommend it, especially in eastern North America, where it originated. This easy-care perennial not only attracts bees to your garden, but butterflies and hummingbirds also find it irresistible.

5 improvement projects for your wood deck

May 30, 2017

5 improvement projects for your wood deck

A deck is one of the most useful outdoor spaces because it can support so many different functions: lounging, cooking, throwing parties, container gardening or just sitting outside to enjoy the view. As a multifunctional surface, a deck needs to always look its best.

6 reasons why your garden has weeds

May 30, 2017

6 reasons why your garden has weeds

Our gardens will always have unwanted plants that alter the aesthetic as single specimens or that choke out desired plants. A weed could be an annual that won’t spread far or it could be an aggressive colonizer, which is why it’s important to identify weeds quickly.

How to add a living wall

May 26, 2017

How to add a living wall

A vertical garden is truly a living wall. It generates oxygen while offering a visual focal point that’s arguably as stunning as, and more affordable than, a piece of fine art. While a vertical garden requires more maintenance than most other wall coverings, it brings texture, energy and life to a room the way all houseplants do.

What's in a name? 6 wildflowers that aren't 'weeds' at all

May 26, 2017

What's in a name? 6 wildflowers that aren't 'weeds' at all

What really is a weed, anyway? In our home gardens, weeds are plants we didn’t put there, things blown in on the wind or carried by wildlife. But sometimes a weed is a doorway into knowing what plants are local, what will thrive and what the insects seem to prefer.

Use this checklist for the perfect backyard party

May 19, 2017

Use this checklist for the perfect backyard party

Here’s an outdoor party prep countdown that will help you check things off in advance, so you can feel more relaxed on party day.

9 plants allergy sufferers should avoid and what to grow instead

May 17, 2017

9 plants allergy sufferers should avoid and what to grow instead

Do you love your garden but find yourself inside looking out at it, rather than spending time in it, thanks to allergies or asthma? The secret to enjoying being in your garden is to find plants that give you the look you want and that are also far less likely to cause problems for you.

How to transform your small garden into a wonderful wildlife haven

May 17, 2017

How to transform your small garden into a wonderful wildlife haven

There are a number of quick and cheap ways to invite birds, butterflies and small animals into your garden, whatever its size. Try a few of these ideas for creating a wildlife haven in a little garden and then just wait for your guests to arrive!

How to make beautiful bouquets from your backyard

May 11, 2017

How to make beautiful bouquets from your backyard

Imagine stepping out into your backyard — vase and clippers in hand — and snipping fragrant stems of sweet peas, delicate peonies and sprays of lilac. If you’ve dreamed of trying your hand as a backyard flower farmer, let this be the year you make it a reality.

What to Know About Adding a Deck

May 1, 2017

What to Know About Adding a Deck

Want to increase your living space and enjoy the open air more? Learn the requirements, costs and other considerations for building a deck