Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Landscaping and Lawn Basics

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – To Stop a Leak: Learn how to investigate a metal roof properly

    Including damaging your home and threatening your family’s safety, roof leaks pose great dangers. Learn how to seek these hazards out with tips from outdoor pro Carson Arthur.

    Question: How can I identify a leak entry spot on a metal roof? My cabin has a 45 percent pitch.

    There is no easy answer here, especially with a metal roof. If I were to start hunting, I’d be looking at the joints and flashing around the edges. The trouble with roof leaks is water’s ability to travel: the hole may not be where the water is coming in. Best of luck to you!

    -Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Copy Thy Neighbor: Learn how to take inspiration from the Joneses for an ideal yard

    Neighbors can inspire exteriors and landscaping. They may also help decipher growing conditions that will make your yard thrive. Outdoor pro Carson Arthur shares how to seamlessly change outdoor plants with help from the Joneses.

    Question: We are about to change some of the plants in the front of our home. Fifteen were planted about 28 years ago, but are now dying. We have nine plants left that are grouped in threes.  We are planning an 8′ x 15′ stone patio in front of a bay window for morning coffee with neighbors. We currently have a mini-Japanese maple in the front corner and various bushes scattered around the yard.  We plan to take drawings to our local nursery for advice on filler pieces. Do you have any suggestions?

    Bringing drawings of your garden to a local garden center is an excellent plan. In addition, present pictures of plants you like that are growing in your neighbor’s yard. This will give workers an idea of growing conditions. Ideally, if the plants you like thrive in their yard, they should do the same in yours. Happy growing!

    -Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Plant a Stunning Yard: Explore options to halt soil erosion

    Soil erosion increases work for homeowners. Good ground cover helps your yard thrive.  Outdoor pro Carson Arthur shares how to preserve the integrity of your soil, in and out of shade.

    Question: What can I do with a hill that has a tree but zero grass? It’s too expensive to cut the tree, and the dirt is eroding.

    It sounds like you need to get a good ground cover in place that will survive living under a tree AND hold soil in place. I would check out a sweet woodruff or a periwinkle. Both thrive in dry shade and solve erosion with their roots.

    -Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Head Over Hills

    Navigating your outdoor space can bring many challenges, some not always easy to navigate. Dream Team member and Outdoor pro Carson Arthur explains how to solve for some of nature’s problems with ease.

     

    What can I do to a hill with a tree and no grass? It’s too expensive to cut the tree and the dirt is eroding away.

    -Janice K.

     

     

    Sounds like you will need to get a good ground cover in place that will survive living under a tree, as well as help hold the soil in place. I recommend looking into a Sweet Woodruff ground cover or maybe a periwinkle. Both do well in dry shade and will solve your erosion problem with their roots. Hope this helps, and good luck.

    -Carson Arthur

     

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Planning Your Outdoor Oasis

    Planning a space can be a challenge. By prioritizing needs and accepting challenges, you can create a fresh air space that compensates for smaller rooms or design a space around something you really want, such as a fireplace. Learn how to design an outdoor space that is perfect for you with outdoor pro Carson Arthur.

    I just purchased a new home. I have a 11’ by 27’ covered patio in my backyard. I would like to improve this space and do not know what to do. Please help!!!!

    -David N.

    When deciding how a space will be used during planning, look inside your house for what is missing. A fireplace or a dining area or a bigger kitchen might be identified as a need. You can create a complimentary space outdoors to enhance your quality of life in the home with a few considerations. Start researching flooring options like deck or patios. Plan how big of an area you need based on the size of furniture you want. Start thinking about the time of day that you will be in the yard based on how you are going to use it.  These considerations will point you in the right direction for creating a backyard perfect for your home.

    -Carson Arthur

     

  • Container Gardening: What Works Best

    The very best methods for growing container gardening vegetables

    There’s no better time to start planting than in spring. Gardening vegetables in a container is a great way to grow healthy food and an easy way to add some color to porches or around windows. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of some of some of the best methods for gardening vegetables in containers.

     

    Window boxes

    Are you short on yard space? Do you lack a front porch? Then a window box might be the perfect solution! Vegetables often need between six and eight hours a day of sunlight, so just make sure your window boxes get enough light.

     

     

     

     

    Clay pots versus plastic

    Clay pots are arguably more attractive than plastic pots. They are often more expensive and dry out faster in the sun. With that said, if you decide to invest in clay pots, consider having it glazed to hold water. If you prefer the unglazed look, a trick of the trade is to insert a plastic pot into a one made of clay.

  • Top Landscaping Designs of 2017

    As we come into the summer of 2017, it’s time to start thinking about top landscaping designs. Whether you intend on putting your home on the market or simply want to increase the curb appeal for your enjoyment and possible opportunities, this is the season to do it. Grab your gardening gloves; your landscape is about to take on a life of its own.

    Gardening with a purpose
    The biggest landscaping design trend of 2017 is all about gardening with a purpose. As such, many homeowners are trading in their ornamental flower beds for edible landscapes. While blooming flowers aren’t being forgotten altogether, fresh vegetable and herb gardens are taking precedence over other plants in 2017. Gardening with a purpose comes with many benefits. You can grow your fruits, vegetables and herbs organically without having to pay an increased price.

    Eco-friendly and native landscapes
    The world has taken a turn towards sustainable living. People no longer want to eat processed foods, drink out of plastic bottles or have any damaging substances within their garden. As such, many homeowners are implementing sustainable, eco-friendly materials for their landscape designs to extend their natural lifestyle to the exterior of their home.  Additionally, homeowners want native species that control the environmental conditions. ‘Naturescaping’ is the process of growing native plants to attract local birds, garden-friendly insects and bees to enhance the overall appeal of landscaping.

    Completely custom outdoor living spaces
    Backyards are taking on a life of their own as homeowners extend their living space into the great outdoors in 2017. Outdoor living spaces have been a growing landscape design trend over the last couple of years.  Instead of putting out some patio furniture, many are opting for fully customized areas that are equipped with all the amenities they need to relax, entertain and dine. From outdoor kitchens to Zen gardens, backyards are now an extension of the home.

    Illuminated landscape designs
    With the rise of outdoor living spaces, there has been a significant increase in illuminated landscapes. Now that homeowners can do everything they need to do, many are opting to install luxurious exterior lights to illuminate the functionality of their landscapes. Solar powered path lights and LED lighting fixtures are at the top of landscaping trends as they coincide with the eco-friendly efforts of 2017.

    Landscapes that conserve water
    Many regions in the United States have struggled with droughts in 2017. As such, the continuous changes in the environment have caused many states to impose water regulations, which directly impacts avid gardeners across the nation. Fortunately, many homeowners have found a solution. Instead of trading in their green thumb, they’re now incorporating water conservation within their landscape design. Simple changes such as using a drip irrigation system or a container of rainwater instead of a sprinkler can make a dramatic impact on your landscape when there is a drought.

    There’s no denying that 2017 landscape designs are more eco-friendly than we have ever seen before. From natural materials to locally-sourced plants, native species and water conservation, outdoor living areas provide many benefits that go beyond what meets the eye.

  • DIY Backyard Decorating Tips

    When you’ve been blessed with a backyard, you certainly want to get the most out of it. A carefully considered backyard can transform the entire appeal of your home and the enjoyment you receive from it – without breaking the bank.   With these decorating tips, you’ll quickly see how lighting, landscaping and furniture can be the key to turning your backyard into the ultimate outdoor living space.

    Think Outside of the Electrical Box

    Lighting is the key to achieving the ambiance you want from your outdoor living space. However, keeping strings of lighting plugged in throughout the evening or turning on the patio light can cause a spike in your electrical bill. Instead, think outside of the electrical box and set a soothing ambiance throughout your landscaping with these affordable ideas:

    • Use Asian-inspired lanterns on table tops to add subtle light and enchanting ambiance to the area
    • Achieve a shimmering glow with kerosene lanterns
    • Make an outdoor living space inhabitable both day and night with solar lighting
    • Use backlights behind and under chairs and tables for a unique effect

    Draw Attention to Focal Points

    The great thing about the backyard is that a little can go a long way. If you’ve decided to keep your landscaping low-maintenance with minimal gardens, plants that are self-sufficient and limited décor, it’s important to draw attention towards the few focal points that you have put into place. Whether it’s a seating area on the patio, a backyard fire pit, some statues, or a pond or pathway to your garden oasis, here are some landscape design ideas that can help you do just that:

    • Line backyard walkways with glowing tiki torches or solar lights
    • Lay mulch around trees to enhance the landscape design
    • Make focal points easy to access with pathways
    • Add a dramatic effect with lighting around your focal points

    Attention to Detail

    The most luxurious and stunning landscape designs are all about attention to detail. The big boulders match the fire pit stones, the grass matches the pathway, and the nearby flowers accent the furniture. The secret is that you don’t have to put that much time and effort into achieving the same flawless appeal in your own backyard. Pay attention to the small things to make everything look cohesive:

    • Match the natural stones found in your backyard, from the patio to the paths, from the outdoor kitchen to the landscaping rocks, etc.
    • Plant flowers that bloom in colors that match your outdoor furniture
    • If you have red cushions, plant a red rosebush nearby

    Everything Shouldn’t Match

    Although adding matching elements throughout your landscape design is important to achieving a cohesive backyard, it’s just as important to add in differences for dimension. While things should certainly match, they shouldn’t blend out the accents and focal points. Incorporate these decorating ideas to add dimension where it counts:

    • Choose plants with different heights and flowering types
    • Plant flowers with different blooming times for a spark of color throughout the season
    • Use different fabrics and textures within your furniture décor
    • Mix different lighting sources for dimension and a change in ambiance

    Even the smallest of backyards can hold so much potential. With these backyard ideas, you can create the landscape design of your dreams without breaking the bank.

     

  • Ask a Pro: How to Get Rid of Honeysuckle

    Can outdoor design expert and Dream Team member Carson Arthur help one reader whose garden has been taken over by teaching her how to get rid of honeysuckle? Find out in the latest edition of Ask a Pro!

    Ask a Pro: How to Get Rid of Honeysuckle - bhgrelife.com

    Q. Honeysuckle has taken over my yard and is killing my lilac bushes and azaleas. How can I get rid of it without hurting my plants?

    –Sophie R.

    A. I wish I had better news for you about honeysuckle. Unfortunately it’s very aggressive, as you already know.

    Without using chemicals, the only way to remove honeysuckle from your garden is to rip it out under the ground. I know some people that have had success using extra-strength vinegar, but that could actually hurt your existing plants. Best of luck!

    -Carson A.

  • 4 Backyard Ideas to Spruce Up Your Home

    A beautiful home with a stunning outdoor living space is a wonderful thing, and it’s amazing what a well-kept lawn can do for not only your home’s value, but also for your own enjoyment while living there. More and more homeowners are starting to invest in their backyard space for many different reasons. To start, having an outdoor living space also increases the value of a home, offering you an excellent return on investment if you choose to sell in the future.

    The good news is that you can easily and economically get these backyard renovations finished; you just need some lawn care basics and a few ideas about renovations for outdoor design.

    4 Backyard Ideas to Spruce Up Your Home - bhgrelife.com1. The Grass Can Be Greener on Your Side Too

    As the old saying goes, “the grass is always greener on the other side,” but when it comes to your backyard, the case should be different. With some quick lawn care basics, you can grow a luscious lawn that will instantly change the appeal of your entire property. These grass-growing tips will set you up with a smooth, lush green carpet in your own backyard:

     

     

    • Prepare the area by removing all weeds, rocks, etc.
    • Loosen the top layer of dirt with a rototill, and place high-quality setting soil on top of it
    • Roll out a carpet of sod or seed the area
    • Water once a week, but feed the area bi-annually with some fertilizer