The Best Smokeless Fire Pits for Backyards
Smokeless fire pits burn real wood with a fraction of the smoke. Compare the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0, Breeo X Series 24, and TIKI Social by size, build, and value.
Latest Articles
Guides, comparisons, and columns for lawns, gardens, and outdoor living.
This Weekend in Your Yard
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This Weekend in Your Yard: The Last October Weekend, Region by Region
Read the weekend list: This Weekend in Your Yard: The Last October Weekend, Region by RegionHalloween weekend, six regions, one short list each: garlic, leaves, the last mow, the hoses — and what to leave alone.
Our Best Guides
Best Zero-Turn Lawn Mowers for Homeowners
Two zero-turn mowers are actually worth ordering online — one battery, one gas — plus the big-name model you can’t buy on Amazon at all.
The Best Patio Heaters for Extending Fall Evenings
The right patio heater buys you weeks of extra fall evenings. Compare the best propane and tabletop models by heat output, coverage, and budget.
The Best Deck Storage Boxes for Patio Cushions and Garden Tools
Compare the best deck storage boxes for patio cushions and garden tools — best overall, runner-up, and one to skip.
Lawn Care
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Vevor vs Harbor Freight for Yard Tools: Price, Warranty, and Quality
Vevor sells online at sharp prices with a 12-month warranty. Harbor Freight sells in stores with walk-in returns. The difference matters.
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Vevor Warranty, Returns, and Shipping: What to Know Before You Order
Vevor offers a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns, but the process runs through messages and photos. Know the steps first.
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Manual vs Powered Lawn Edgers: Which One Is Worth It for Your Yard?
A manual edger costs little and never needs fuel, but a powered edger wins on long edges. Here is how to choose.
Gardening
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Storing the Garden Through Winter: Squash, Onions, and Garlic, Each in Its Own Climate
Squash wants it cool and dry, onions want it cold and dry, garlic wants the dark. Each crop’s own climate, and the curing step first.
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Winter Container Plants That Actually Survive Zone 4 (and Look Good Doing It)
Your porch doesn’t have to look dead all winter. The two-zone rule, the pots that survive, and the evergreens that carry February.
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Minnesota Frost Dates by Zone: First and Last Frost, Answered
Minnesota’s first and last frost dates by zone, what a 50% frost date really means, and how to use it.
Outdoor Living
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How to Hang Outdoor String Lights Without Damaging Your House
Guide wire, the right hooks, and a little sag keep string lights up through wind and weather — no holes in siding, no sagging strands.
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Solar vs Plug-In Outdoor String Lights: Which Is Right for Your Patio?
Solar strands need sun and no outlet; plug-in strands stay brighter and steadier. The right choice depends on your outlet, your shade, and how often you use the patio.
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The Best Outdoor String Lights for Patios, Decks, and Pergolas
Solar and plug-in string lights compared on length, bulb spacing, and weatherproofing, with the strands worth hanging once and leaving up.
From the Kitchen
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How to Make Butternut Squash Soup Over a Fire Pit
Read the recipe: How to Make Butternut Squash Soup Over a Fire PitRoast the squash in the Dutch oven, then simmer it into a silky sage soup — all over coals, no kitchen required.
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From Our Columnists
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Is It Too Late to Plant Garlic in Late October?
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Late October garlic? Not too late at all. Why fall planting works, how deep to plant, and the mulch that sees it through winter.
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The Garden Goes Quiet: A Southern Farewell to the Growing Season
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Mama always said a quiet garden is still working. A farewell to the season, and why slowing down suits us.
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Do Coffee Grounds Really Help Your Garden, or Are They Just Compost Hype?
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Do coffee grounds really feed your garden, or are they just compost hype? The Spade brews up the truth — and a clear verdict.
In Season Now
How to Winterize and Store Your Lawn Aerator
Winterize your lawn aerator before storage: clean the tines, loosen the belts, and keep rust and rodents at bay.