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.
Guides, comparisons, and columns for lawns, gardens, and outdoor living.
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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How to Choose a Leaf Mulcher: Capacity, Reduction Ratio, and Wet Leaves
Match the mulcher to your leaf load, not the headline ratio. Capacity, wet-leaf handling, and cleanup matter more.
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Electric vs Gas Leaf Mulchers: Power, Noise, and Cleanup Compared
Electric mulchers win for most yards. Gas earns its keep only when branches join the leaves.
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The Best Leaf Mulchers and Shredders for Pine Needles and Wet Leaves
Three mulchers that actually handle pine needles and damp leaves, plus the gas chipper to skip.
Gardening
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Lab Soil Test vs At-Home Kit: Which Is Worth the Money?
Lab tests cost more and make you wait. At-home kits answer faster but coarser. Which bill is worth paying?
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How to Test Your Lawn Soil at Home: Sampling, Depth, and Reading Results
Ten to fifteen cores at six inches, mixed well, tell you more than one scoop ever will. Here is the method.
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The Best Soil Test Kits for Lawns: Lab vs At-Home
A lab test, a mail-in kit, and a kitchen-table kit compared, so you stop guessing what your lawn needs.
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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One-Pan Chicken and Wild Rice Skillet
Read the recipe: One-Pan Chicken and Wild Rice SkilletOne skillet, one hour, and Minnesota’s own wild rice turn chicken thighs into the weeknight dinner you’ll cook on repeat.
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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.