Backyard Living - Backyard Living

Mitch Contest Winners

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:29:01 GMT

Central Regional Checklist

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:31:17 GMT

Central regional garden checklist,

Northeast Regional Checklist

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:31:04 GMT

garden checklist.

Northwest Regional Checklist

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:30:52 GMT

regional garden checklist-Northwest

Southeast Regional Checklist

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:30:39 GMT

Southeast regional gardening checklist,

Southwest Regional Checklist

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:30:24 GMT

Southwest regional checklist-

Prize Giveaway Contest Winners

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:56:51 GMT

prize giveaway winners

Here's the Scoop

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Recycle a half-gallon plastic milk jug to make a scoop for birdseed‐the handle is already built it! I've been using this idea for many years. It's free and takes only a few minutes to cut. You can use these to scoop other items, too.—Trish Toczko, Richmond, Virginia

Play it Safe

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

When I'm done cooking on my gas grill, I always turn off the valve at the tank first. After the flame on the burner goes out, I turn its dial to "off." That way, I never have to worry whether the tank was shut off or not. This relieves pressure in the lines and makes the grill safe if young children happen to play with the buttons and dials.—Harold Roeber, Brown Deer, Wisconsin

A Note from the Editor

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:38:07 GMT

This Tool's a Cut Above

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

I have several perennials that can spread and become invasive, like bee balm, lily of the valley, feverfew, . To keep them in bounds

Simple Watering

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Drip irrigation system, reader idea

Berry Fine Idea

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

To pick raspberries without dropping half the crop, cut 2 inches off the bottom of a 1-gallon plastic milk jug. Leave the cap on, turn the jug upside down and hold the scoop under the berries with one hand swhiel you pick with the other.

Goose Patrol

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Geese are very aggressive with intruders when they're feeding, so I thought goose decoys might work better than scarecrows to keep rabbits and crows away from my sweet corn. It worked!

Ladies and Pests

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

I've heard ladybugs are good for the garden because they eat aphids and other plant pests. How can I attract them?

Ground Covers

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Lighten Up Heavy Pots

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Discourage Starlings and Blackbirds

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Power Out? Use solar lights

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Deterring Deer

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Storing Garden Decor

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Where's Dottie?

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:42:25 GMT

Where's Dottie. OUr new online game to win prizes.

Repair Birdbaths

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

To repair a cracked cement birdbath, use DRYLOK, a masonry waterproofer sold at hardware stores and building centers. Clean the birdbath first, and then apply one or more coats of DRYLOK. Let it dry completely before you refill the birdbath with water.

Kill Weeds with Vinegar

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Pillow Kneeler

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

I kneel on an old throw pillow while working in my flower bed. A plastic shopping bag makes a handy waterproof cover and is easy to replace. The handles are also perfect for toting it around.

New Use for Buffet Tables

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

If an old buffet is taking up space, put it to work as a storage unit. Older buffets often have long legs, with doors on each end and shallow drawers in the center. Cut off the legs, apply a fresh coat of paint and enjoy a new table for your patio, deck or sunroom with plenty of storage space.

Mailbox Garden Tool Storage

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Discouraging Cats around Feeders

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Weeds

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Sowing Small Seeds

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

I used to have trouble sowing fine seeds, such as wildflower seeds, evenly because they were difficult to see. Until I learned this simple trick.

Can-Do Containers

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Looking for ways to save on potting mix and make large containers lighter?

On the Green

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Pushing our lawnmower can be challenging on our sloping terrain. But I solved the problem by wearing a pair of used golf shoes. Now I have a new use for my golf shoes that's "slip-proof".

Concrete Containers

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

It's easy to make inexpensive planters with cinder blocks. One or two make a simple, small planter, while a row makes an attractive border. They can be stacked and grouped in any number of configurations. Just fill them with potting soil and plant away.

In the Can

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

I loved the idea of wearing grocery bags over gardening shoes, so I came up with a way to store them. Cut a large X in a plastic coffee-can lid, fill the can with bags and set it on the porch.

Prisine Patio

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

To get rid of the annoying discolorations on my concrete patio, I scrubbed the stains with 1 cup of ammonia combined with 1 gallon of water. It worked perfectly. Just be sure to hose the surface down when you're finished.

Nostalgic Birdhouse

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

When my granddaughter outgrew her Lincoln Logs, I didn't want to throw them out. So we made a birdhouse with them instead! We put all the pieces together and used wood glue and brad nails to assemble it. Now we have a reminder of all the fun times we had in years gone by!

Freecycle It

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

We use our local Freecycle natwork, a nonprofit movement of people who give and get free stuf to reuse and recycle, for many of our yard and garden needs.

Planning a Butterfly Garden

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Attract butterflies with aster, butterfly bush, lantana, fuchsia, heliotrope, iris, nasturtium and lilac.

Seedballz

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Looking for a low-maintenance garden this year? Try Seedballz! Hand-rolled by people with disabilities, Seedballz are made of clay and fertilizer and loaded with seeds. Simply toss, water and watch 'em bloom!

Pringles containers

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Like most gardeners, we have rabbits galore in our garden each spring. My husband came up with this clever idea to protect my annuals.