You do consider building a home as an investment right? Well, adding elements to physically protect your lifetime investment is in itself, a form of investment too. I am referring of course to building your fences and yards to keep you safe and secure.

There is no one way to winterize a sprinkler system. Since these systems vary in as many way's as there are installers each way must be tailored to the individual system. This can sometimes cause problems in designing a winterization plan for the best results.

Strong winds can blow a lightweight metal or plastic storage shed over even if it is anchored to a foundation. Strong steel shed straps protect storage items and the buildings that hold them. Anchored straps hold most sheds to the ground in the face of severe wind speeds. Storage shed anchoring kits

Cedar can become dry and age more quickly when a stain is not used.wooden deck background image by d_j_ang0 from Fotolia.comCedar is a hardwood, also referred to as a coniferous tree, which includes pine and cypress and is used for decks, shingles and siding because of its dense and...

Rural Britain, where English cottage gardens began, is in the mild-Atlantic currents, giving it a gentle climate. Wisconsin’s climate, on the other hand, resembles Sweden’s climate, with warm summers and average mean minimum temperatures below zero on the Fahrenheit scale. Although havin

Whether you have a dog of your own or you are on a main dog-walking route, you may notice dead spots in your yard. These dead spots may be the result of dog urine. These spots are most often caused by female dogs that tend to squat on various areas on the lawn to urinate. The dead spots in your yard

The exposure to the weather and elements poses a challenge to any wood used for an exterior deck or trellis project. Using the proper wood extends the life of the structure, providing years of service to the homeowner. Builders have a number of options available. Homeowners commonly weigh the costs

Palm trees improve the quality and appearance of the place where they grow, and they provide shade and animal habitat. Typically, they can be viewed as a community resource, even if they are located on your private property. Consequently, it is common for municipalities to have ordinances that reg

Verbenas are available in about 250 varieties. You can buy seeds for perennial and annual varieties, for low-growing types that attain only 6 inches and for tall, stalky varieties that grow as tall as 6 feet. Flowers come in white, blue, pink and purple, and verbenas continue to bloom throughout the

Are you in the midst of designing or redesigning your home to be more environmentally friendly? If so and you're trying to add in, either an indoor or outdoor peaceful water fountain, then you'll want to go with a solar water fountain for you home/business. You can find solar water fountai

Gardeners can approach the idea of planting a more efficient garden space in several ways. Start by choosing cultivars and varieties that have been proven to perform under the conditions found in your area, sparing yourself unnecessary crop losses and the need to replant. Save the garden plot itself

Many grass varieties will grow in many locations — sunny, shady or rocky — whether you'd like them to or not. Grass will even attempt to grow up onto your pathways if not cut back. Unfortunately, these tight spots where the sidewalk meets the soil will not allow the blade of a mower to g

A well kept lawn is a thing of beauty. Turf is always a better option because it is easier to lay, maintain and lends an instant lush green look to a lawn.

It is known to everyone that landscaping will make the yard very attractive, at the same time attractiveness is not the sole benefit that we can enjoy from a properly planed and implemented landscaping. It is rightly said that we have to put our effort to gain some benefits. This is applicable in th

If you have ever driven through an unfinished subdivision, you may have seen new homes with bare earth patches instead of lawns. While many newly built homes are sold with a new lawn installed, this new lawn may not be the type of grass that you prefer. Alternately, if your lawn has been neglected f

The best approach to combatting broadleaf weeds is encouraging dense growth from your St. Augustine lawn. However, even thick lawns can have weed problems. Gardeners use broadleaf weed killers to remove the broadleaf weeds and prevent their St. Augustinegrass from declining in health. Left to their

Accumulated dirt and debris on a Trex deck can lead to the development of mildew and mold. Luckily, it is relatively easy to treat mold on Trex with a mild soap solution. Treat mildew as soon as you see it. The longer it hangs around, the more quickly it will spread. Keep the mold from coming back b

Having a playground in your back yard can provide a fun area for children to exercise and play, as well as give parents a chance to relax as they supervise nearby. To make sure that your home playground is both fun and relaxing, follow the proper safety guidelines to avoid the risk of injury. Playgr

You don't have to wait until your next camping trip to enjoy roasted marshmallows. You can enjoy the sights and sounds of the campfire in your own backyard, when you build a natural stone fire pit. Hiring professionals to install cut stone or brick firepits can cost you thousands of dollars. With a

Invite outdoor entertainment to the garden by including ornamental grasses in the design. Any corner will do. Perennial ornamental grasses around a pond offer wildlife the food and cover they need to establish residence. Throughout the landscape, the grasses offer nesting sites or overnight cover fo