Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Outdoor Design

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – When It Rains, It Pours: Exploring title coverage for runoff

    When a challenge arises, insurance should be there to help. Learn the ins and outs of title insurance to deal with water runoff from outdoor pro Carson Arthur.

    Question: A house was built on the property behind me. The land had been raised so that the ground around the house is now higher than mine. Whenever it rains, the water from the property behind me washes into my yard and causes a river each time. Does title insurance cover this?

    Unfortunately, it does not. Title insurance only covers liens on a property from debtors to the former owners. The easiest solution is to create a raised planter along the shared property line. By raising the soil, the water should stop running into your yard!

    -Carson Arthur

  • 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

  • Add Designer Flair to Your Front Porch for Fall

    Add Fun Fall Decor to Your Porch

    Just because summer’s over does not mean you can’t still enjoy sitting in the fresh air. With autumn weather quickly blowing in, now’s the time to give your porch a makeover. From festive seasonal decorations to thoughtful touches, we’ve pulled together a handful of our favorite ways to add fall decor to your porch.

    Stay warm

    First, make sure your porch can be used during autumn. If you live in an area where fall brings cooler temperatures, gorgeous crisp evenings can turn into cold nights. Invest in either a propane or electric patio heater. There are many models on the market. Some of them are set on the ground to warm your feet, while others are hung overhead. A few models look a lot like indoor lamps, adding a warm, room-like feel to your porch.

    In addition to heaters, set out a couple of wool blankets for guests to put over their legs. Not only do blankets keep loved ones warm, they also give a cozy vibe that inspires conversations to run long into the night.

    Buy new patio furniture

    Most people buy new patio furniture during spring and summer. It’s in fall, however, that you should head to your local home and garden stores to check out items on clearance. Choose durable fabrics in neutral colors so the furniture will match any season. Design the rest of the porch around your new seating areas.

    Fall foliage… right to your front door

    Tis the season for collecting brightly  colored autumn leaves. Why not take things one step further by making an arrangement of leaves to enjoy year after year? Pick up a handful of faux leaves from a local fabric store and coat them to handle the weather. Add a little sparkle by sprinkling glitter of various colors over the project as it dries. Try out similar projects with found objects such as pinecones. Finished arrangements can be hung on windows or your front door. Make a large fall wreath by using a pre-assembled twig wreath and decorating it either with silk flowers or fresh marigolds from a local florist.

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  • 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

     

  • Create Your Own Retreat with These Backyard Water Features

    Backyard water features serve any lifestyle and budget. From fountains to gardens, flowing water instills a sense of harmony and balance to any outdoor space. Explore your options to craft the backyard of your dreams!

    Small garden fountain

    If you don’t have room for a large water feature or don’t want to build one due to lack of resources, you can go small and still have something lovely. Create a pot fountain or a tabletop water garden that offers a bit of a splash.

    You can even make a portable water feature that can be moved around depending on where people gather in your yard. Small garden fountains are ideal for balconies and compact decks. They provide a bit of nature in areas that don’t see a lot of foliage or other earthy elements.

     

     

    Spherical water fountain

    Flowing water in the garden takes on an ethereal look when it curves magically around an already mystical object. Consider a spherical water garden for your backyard whether you have a traditional or modern space. This water feature can be made with inexpensive materials and doesn’t take much time to put it together.

    With a terracotta bowl and sphere, along with a small submersible pump and a few other supplies, you can have a water feature that will provide hours of enjoyment and wow guests. We love the idea of placing rocks or pebbles in the bowl for added dimension.

    Backyard pond

    A backyard pond is a water feature that’s obviously most suitable for a home or condominium with a substantial yard. It is not that hard to make yourself if you have the time and motivation.

    Many a unique pond (even with a waterfall!) has been created in only a weekend with tools purchased from the local home improvement store. Backyard ponds look amazing bordered by regional flora and fauna, some of which may even be able to grow up from under the water.

     

  • 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

     

  • Five Outdoor Storage Options to Keep Your Yard Tidy

    There’s nothing better than a well-maintained yard or garden. It looks easy enough: a little pruning here, a little mowing there. The more beautiful the garden, the more work owners have put into it. The owner of a flawless outdoor space probably has a bevy of gardening and landscaping tools, including a lawnmower, rake, wheelbarrow and a selection of hand tools. Oftentimes, there’s also an assortment of pots, birdseed and various seasonal tools. To keep a yard tidy, all of these items need to be kept close at hand with outdoor storage options. Below are five outdoor storage ideas to consider.

     

    1. Don’t forget shelves

    You probably use indoor shelves to store things in the basement or in your kitchen, so why not also use them outdoors? The possibilities are endless. For a minimalist look, find industrial, corrosion-resistant metal shelves, or repurpose old wooden shelves by treating them with a weather-resistant stain. For do-it-yourselfers, a backyard is a dreamy place to build shelves as high or as low as you like.

    When considering shelving, it’s important to be strategic. What will you store on them? Will they be placed under a covered area or will they be exposed to the elements? You probably won’t want shelves laden with fragile terracotta pots in an area that will be exposed to rain, snow and wind. Take a little time to plan where your shelves will go, how they’ll be used and the materials they’re made of and you can use them for years to come.


    2. Keep everything close with a storage bench

    As far as outdoor storage containers go, a bench is a great option. Storage benches come in all shapes and sizes, and are often water- and weather-resistant. Some of them are also sturdy enough to keep out animals, such as squirrels and mice, ensuring that bird food can be kept safe.

    Just like shelves, it’s important to consider what you might use a storage bench for before putting one just anywhere in your yard. Some of them can bear just a couple hundred pounds of weight, while others can hold upwards of 1,000 pounds. Many benches have locks, ensuring your gardening tools and other yard items stay protected against possible thieves.

    Benches can be purely utilitarian, or you can find one that looks like a wooden chair, enabling it to blend into your garden. Of course, you can also make your own outdoor storage bench out of wood, although you’ll want to note that whatever you store inside it might not stay dry.

     

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Are You Considering Pave Stones for Your Backyard?

    Hardscapes entice the senses and offer concrete accents to the natural world. Pave stones integrate a backbone into the design landscape. Dream Team member and Outdoor pro Carson Arthur explains how to incorporate structure into your slice of paradise by laying pave stones.

    Question: How do you lay pave stones for a backyard garden?

    – James S.

    Laying stones is more than a weekend project. If you live in an area that has snow, then it is crucial that you install a proper base of crushed gravel to allow for proper drainage that prevents ice from forming under the stone and heaving it. No one wants an unlevelled patio. Whether you have snowy winters or not, you also have to plan for drainage during heavy rains. Whatever you do… do it well and make sure to use a level. NEVER try to build a base by eyeballing it!

    – Carson Arthur