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.
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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.
Latest Articles
Lawn Care
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Pine Needle Mulch vs Bark Mulch: Which Should You Use?
Pine needle mulch stays put on slopes and lasts longer; bark mulch is heavier, cheaper by the bag, and easier to find. The right choice depends on the bed.
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How to Compost Pine Needles Faster
Pine needles compost slowly because they are waxy and carbon-heavy. Shred them, balance them with greens, and keep the pile damp to cut months off the wait.
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Should You Aerate Before or After Overseeding?
Aerate first, seed second. Reversing the order wastes seed, because seed scattered before aeration never reaches the soil it needs to touch.
Gardening
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Bitter Cucumbers: Causes and Fixes
Bitter cucumbers are usually a water and timing problem, not a bad variety — diagnose the cause, fix it, and pick milder types.
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Trellising Cucumbers
A trellis turns sprawling cucumber vines into straight, clean, easy-to-pick fruit — structure, spacing, tying, and harvest.
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Best Cucumber Varieties for Slicing and Pickling
Seven cucumber varieties for slicing, pickling, and gherkins — each picked for a specific kitchen job, trade-offs stated plainly.
Outdoor Living
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How to Make Hot Chocolate Over a Fire Pit
Real hot chocolate over fire-pit coals: gentle heat, cocoa whisked smooth, and chocolate melted in at the end. No boiling, no scorched milk.
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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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From Our Columnists
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.