Tag Archives:


backyard

Choosing a Fire Pit: Points to consider

Patios should be designed like rooms, with attention paid to elements like shape and height, color and function. Fire pits add a wealth of choices for the space. Design is basically drawing with shapes. A cohesive and useful patio design considers how patio furniture and Hardscape elements combine to make a room. Fire pits are

Fire Pit or Fireplace? Things to Consider When Planning your Outdoor Living Space

If you are planning a fire feature for your patio, you may ask yourself “Should we get a fire pit or fireplace?” Both give off light and warmth and help create a cozy, welcome atmosphere. While cost is typically a question (and can sometimes be the deciding factor) here are some other differences that you

Spot and destroy the spotted lantern fly this fall

The spotted lantern fly (SLF) is an invasive, destructive insect that is native to China. Over 70 species of trees in southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas are in danger of disease and death because of these sap-sucking pests. It’s imperative to seek out and destroy the SLF, as they are predicted to cause a billion

Send off your student with a trunk party on the patio

Skipped a grad party or took a gap year? A trunk party can be the perfect send-off for your student. Back in the day, luggage was a traditional gift for the high school graduate. Bags of one’s own were deemed necessary for a young person’s life ahead. Now we pack up the minivan with storage

How to be a hipster gardener

If you think vintage accessories, old traditions and careful tending are the bee’s knees, you may be a garden hipster. The hipster aesthetic is marked by an obsession with independence, eco-friendly living and vintage style. This group has its own style in clothes, food and yes, gardening. Aside from the new urban chickens movement, hipsters

Planning a new patio? Consider installing an automatic sprinkler system

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” -Cicero, Roman orator Moving water from its source to where it is needed is an ancient craft. Aqueducts helped cities flourish in ancient times. Today, various water sprinklers help maintain the lawn’s lush look. Homeowners use everything from a simple watering can

Cool looks for a hot patio

Oppressive heat and humidity can put a damper on outdoor living space enjoyment. Fear not, mid-summer heat can be beat.  Unless you have a pool that you can jump into, July and August’s soaring heat and humidity can sometimes stifle outdoor fun. While inexpensive, portable water bottles are easy to come by, they’re not ideal

The beauty of Kentucky Derby Roses in your own backyard

The most famous race of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, is usually held on the first Saturday in May. The winning horse is draped with a blanket of beautiful red roses. The luxury of the velvet-like petals, the depth of the red, and the dream of the heady scents get us itching to have

Busting the rumors of great grass care

Homeowners pining for gorgeous lawns sometimes fall for old tricks that just don’t work. A beautiful lawn is well within your reach. A little TLC goes a long way when it comes to a grass landscape. Seeing other lawns that seem greener or healthier than yours may have you seeking out solutions. Beware of false

Skinny spaces: Games and ideas for narrow outdoor areas

We all have those little strips of yard or patio that are too small to be decked out but too big to be ignored. Don’t despair. There’s hope for those skinny spaces. Here are a few ideas to turn those neglected spaces into destination spots. A shuffleboard court is a fun addition to any outdoor