Archive for July 2026

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Build (6)

Say Goodbye To Traditional Birdbaths: Use An Old Pickle Jar For An Easy DIY Solution

Birdbaths are a wonderful addition to any yard. But if you have only a balcony or porch, or are on a tight budget, this compact DIY is the next best thing.
By Robert Haynes-Peterson Read More
The Best Way To Stop Weeds From Taking Over A Gravel Driveway

If your strategy is to pull or poison weeds as you spot them all around your gravel driveway, it's too late — they're here. But there's a better approach.
By Danno Wise Read More
Transform Your Run-Down Concrete Patio With A Practical DIY Project

Concrete patios are nice, but they can stain, crack, or simply look tired. Rather than replacing them, consider this alternative DIY that sits right on top.
By Danno Wise Read More
Not Essential Oils: There's A Smarter Way To Prevent Carpenter Bees From Drilling Into Your Deck

Carpenter bees are beneficial pollinators, but they wreak havoc on wood decks and other structures. One trick to deter them also makes your deck look fresh.
By Danno Wise Read More
Keep Weeds Out Of Your Concrete Driveway Cracks With A Budget Solution

Concrete driveways inevitably crack, inviting more weeds each year. This quick, affordable fix will stop weeds for many seasons, and cover up the cracks.
By Danno Wise Read More
Keep Wasps Away From Your Yard With A Crocheted Solution

Preventing wasps from setting up shop in your yard is easier than dealing with them once they’ve established a nest. Crochet hooks and yarn to the rescue!
By TeeJay Small Read More

Garden (9)

Challenging Misconceptions: Why You Shouldn't Pull Weeds In Your Yard

For generations, a well-maintained lawn meant pulling every non-grass plant, dubbing it a weed. But it’s time to think twice about this wholesale approach.
By TeeJay Small Read More
5 Ground Covers To Plant If You Hate Mowing The Lawn

Lawns require a lot of work, and a lot of mowing, to look great. Instead, you could turn to these low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly ground cover options.
By TeeJay Small Read More
The Difference Between Blue And Pink Hydrangeas Is Easily Explained By Science

Some years that hydrangea bush out front offers up deep blue mopheads. Other seasons, they're a bright pink or purple. Is it magic? Nope, it’s chemistry.
By Danno Wise Read More
5 Long-Living Flowers That Can Bloom For Decades

If it seems like the neighbor with the flowering yard has kept their plants alive forever, that may be because they’ve planted these long-blooming choices.
By TeeJay Small Read More
The Difference Between White And Yellow Corn Is Easily Explained By Science

Genetic and environmental factors determine whether an ear of corn is white or yellow. But those colors may not signal exactly what you think they do.
By Danno Wise Read More
Challenging Misconceptions: Why Coffee Grounds Won't Change The Color Of Your Hydrangeas

Many gardeners swear by adding spent coffee grounds to hydrangeas for striking, blue or purple blooms Alas, the reality is more complicated and disappointing.
By Danno Wise Read More
Say Goodbye To Cockroaches With A Natural Solution They Can't Survive

If cockroaches are showing up in your garden or along your porch, don’t fret. There’s an all-natural solution that takes care of them in a day or two.
By Danno Wise Read More
Carpenter Bees Aren't Eating The Wood Around Your Home & Garden

Perfectly circular holes in your wood deck or siding with little piles of sawdust clinches it: You’ve got carpenter bees. But they’re not eating your house.
By Danno Wise Read More
The One Thing You Need To Do With Your Tomato Plants In July

Tomatoes are the most popular plant grown in fruit and vegetable gardens. Regularly taking care of this one step in July could produce more and larger fruit.
By Danno Wise Read More

Gear (3)

Consumer Reports Names This Battery Push Lawn Mower As One Of The Best In 2026

While top battery-powered brands regularly appear on Consumer Reports’ best lawn mower lists, this relative newcomer ranked among the best this year.
By Danno Wise Read More
Who Really Owns DeWalt Tools?

When buying lawn and garden tools, many people rely on established brand names like DeWalt. It can be helpful, then, to know who’s actually behind the brand.
By Danno Wise Read More
The Popular Lawn Tool On The Verge Of Being Banned

When building up a lawn care tool inventory, we consider what’s affordable, most useful, or most effective. But one tool might soon be illegal in your area.
By Danno Wise Read More

Safety (5)

Boomers Everywhere Used It Into The '70s — Now It's Forever Banned In The US

Many things Boomers grew up using, like lawn darts and leaded gas, are no longer legal. One yard product seemed like a cure-all, until dangers were discovered.
By Danno Wise Read More
Say Goodbye To Termites: The EPA's Best Advice For Preventing An Infestation

Termites are the bane of homeowners. While there’s plenty of advice online and from pest control companies, it’s nice to know we can go straight to the EPA.
By Danno Wise Read More
Skip The Decoy: There's A Better Way To Prevent Birds From Flying Into Windows

The "thunk" sound when a bird hits a window of your house is chilling. A decoy protects one section, but one cheap method helps birds avoid the whole window.
By Danno Wise Read More
Termites Can't Stand This Natural Ingredient That Makes Your Patio Smell Great

Termites are the bane of any homeowner, and they're hungry for your patio and outdoor structures. This pleasant essential oil can help drive they away.
By Danno Wise Read More
These Mushrooms Look The Same, But One Is A Delicacy And One Is Poisonous

Successfully foraging for mushrooms is incredibly rewarding and delicious. But one popular wild mushroom has several lookalikes that can be damaging or deadly.
By Danno Wise Read More

Sport (1)

Rising Water Temperatures Are Impacting Fishing. Here's How Anglers Can Adapt & Help

Fishing is a time-honored summer activity. Rising temperatures and hot waters mean there are challenges for fish, and added responsibilities for the anglers.
By Danno Wise Read More

Wildlife (2)

The Common Backyard Bird You Might Not Realize Is Legally Protected

A lot of birds we see in our backyard seem pretty common. Even so, it's important to be aware if they, and their nests, fall under federal or state protection.
By Danno Wise Read More
Not Wood Dust: The Overlooked Sign Carpenter Bees Are Lurking Around Your Home

Carpenter bees drill circular holes in your wood deck or siding to build their nests. But there’s another visible sign that may be a better indicator of bees.
By Danno Wise Read More