Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: outdoor maintenance

Ask A Pro Q&A – How to Properly Mount a Deck

Looking for the best way to mount your deck? Carson Arthur answers this question about the best way to tackle this DIY.

Question: Can I bolt two sides of a deck to the house and have the other two sides just sitting on concrete blocks?

In theory, yes you can. We often mount decks to the house using proper lag bolts and screws. As for the other corners in the yard, you will want to use something more solid than concrete blocks as the weight of the deck will cause them to sink into the soil over time causing your deck to start to lean. Take a look at some proper footings available at any box or construction stores. They work the same way as concrete blocks, but they disperse the weight better so you avoid that sinking feeling.

-Carson Arthur.

December 17, 2019
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

August 7, 2018
4 Important Purchases to Make for Your First Home
Congratulations! You’ve just purchased your first home. There’s no denying that this is a very exciting time in your life. Becoming a homeowner will bring many new opportunities your way, the first one being a chance to go shopping! As a first-time homebuyer, there are some things you need for your home that you may not have needed previously. So grab a piece of paper and pen because it’s time to create the ultimate first-home shopping list.

1. Lawn Equipment

One amazing thing about owning a home is that you own the lawn, the grass, the flower beds, and everything else comes with the property. However, this also means you have to take care of what you own, and unless you’re hiring a landscaping company, you will need to purchase some lawn equipment. Here are a few useful tools to help with lawn maintenance and get you started in your outdoor maintenance:
- Lawn mower
- Weed whacker
- Weed puller
- Water hose and sprinkler
- Ladder
October 3, 2016
Ask a Pro: Carson Arthur’s Outdoor Sweeps Edition Part 2

Check out Part 2 of Carson Arthur’s best outdoor maintenance tips from our recent Facebook Q&A, here on Ask a Pro!

Q. Hey Carson. I have a rooftop patio. I want to buy artificial grass. What kind/brand do you suggest? Where should I buy it? How do I maintain it?

–Lisa R.

A. The tricky part about artificial grass is how it is used afterwards. A majority of the products on the market are made from recycled materials but cannot be recycled after they become turf. Either look for a biodegradable or recyclable option, or choose an outdoor rug made of natural sisal. Maintenance is easy, wash it with a hose!

–Carson Arthur

Q. How do I create height in my gardens without pulling all my plants out? Do I start over again?

–Kristin D.

A. No way! Save the plants! Consider adding a lattice panel with a nice vine on it. It’s an easy way to create the exact height even in the middle of a bed.

–Carson Arthur

Q. I have 3 agapanthus, aka lily of the Nile. Can I take the pods after the flowers are gone, dry them out, and plant them to make new ones?

–Tisa J.

A. You definitely can… but it’s a SLOW SLOW SLOW process to get them to a stage where they will bloom.

–Carson A.

Q. I have violets growing in my grass. What’s the best product to use to kill them once and for all without killing the grass?

–Max W.

A. Patience, sadly. I know there are a lot of chemicals, but if you want to go the natural route…it’s all about ripping them out one at a time. Sounds like fun?!?

–Carson A.

Q. Is it too late to start a small garden?

–Robin C.

A. Not at all! Go for it! Try some lettuce and radishes. They grow they fastest! Also spinach, kale, even some tomatoes and peppers will work for you now!

–Carson A.

June 30, 2016
4 Tips for Creating a Luscious Lawn

You know a good lawn when you see one—the kind of luscious lawn that makes you want to roll around or have a picnic. Well, the good news is that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. With some basic lawn care and grass-growing tips, you can have the kind of lawn that people will stop to admire. Here are the only steps you’ll ever need to having the greener grass on your side.

Choosing the Right Grass

If you’ve found yourself in a situation where there’s more dirt than there is grass, you definitely need some grass-growing tips. It may surprise you that there are many different varieties of grass. Growing grass is much more complex than simply planting some seeds. Understanding how grass grows can mean the difference between having no grass or having a stunning, luscious lawn.

There are several things to consider when choosing the right grass for your property, depending on the quality of grass you desire. The best lawn care tip is to choose a grass that is best suited to your climate. Grass is categorized into cool season grass and warm season grass. In cool season grasses, you have grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass. In warm season grasses, you have grasses like Buffalograss. You should pick the right type of grass within the respective category you belong in. You can learn more about choosing the right grass here.

You also have the option of skipping over the seeds and placing sod. This can be a fast way to get beautiful results, but basic lawn care is still needed.

June 9, 2016