Building a Rain Garden That Actually Drains in Clay Soil
Rain gardens work in clay soil if you dig 12-18 inches deep, amend with coarse sand and compost...
Outdoors
Pressure-Treated vs Cedar for a Small Raised Garden Bed
Cedar looks better and is organic-certified; modern pressure-treated lumber is cheaper, lasts...
Tarp Pitching for Side Wind: A Practical Field Guide
Pitching a tarp for side wind: lower the windward edge, why the plow point beats the A-frame...
The Complete Guide to Identifying and Removing Invasive Garden Plants
Identify English ivy, Japanese knotweed, garlic mustard, and thistles, then remove them for good...
Why Raised Bed Gardens with Hugelkultur Bottoms Need Less Watering
A hugelkultur base of buried logs turns a raised bed into a slow-release water reservoir. Layer...
How to Build a Natural Swimming Pond That Cleans Itself
How a natural swimming pond cleans itself with a planted regeneration zone: sizing the zones...
The Best Strategies for Growing Tomatoes in Hot and Humid Climates
Grow tomatoes in heat and humidity: heat-set varieties, afternoon shade, well-drained soil, deep...
How to Create an Outdoor Dining Area Using Recycled Materials
Build an outdoor dining set from reclaimed pallets, cable spools, and salvaged wood: how to...
Why Rain Barrels Connected to Downspouts Cut Water Bills Drastically
Connect a rain barrel to a downspout to collect ~620 gallons per inch of rain and cut summer...
How to Build a Simple Greenhouse from Cattle Panels and Plastic
Build a cattle panel greenhouse for $200-$500: bend 16-foot panels into arches over rebar, add...
The Complete Guide to Pressure Washing Your Patio and Walkways
Pressure wash a patio safely: electric vs gas machines, color-coded nozzle angles, 12-18 inch...
How to Design a Pollinator-Friendly Garden Using Only Seed Packets
Design a pollinator garden from seed packets: read the sun, spacing and bloom-time data, map the...