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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How to Care for Your Lawn After Aerating: Watering, Seeding, and the First Mow
Aeration opens the soil; what you do next decides whether it pays off. Water, seed, and mow by height, not by the calendar.
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Liquid Aerator vs Core Aerator: Does Liquid Aeration Actually Work?
Liquid aerators promise core aeration without the machine. Extension research says they can’t relieve compaction — here’s what they can do.
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VEVOR Electric Pressure Washer Review: The Ultimate Guide to Electric Pressure Washers
A $128.90 electric washer that cleans driveways and cars well, once you read its big headline number the right way.
Gardening
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Cover Crops vs. Mulch
Mulch sits there; a cover crop works while it grows. Here is which one fits your bed, and when to use both.
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Growing Microgreens Indoors
Microgreens on a windowsill in days: mild, nutty, and savory trays, plus the sowing and harvest rhythm that keeps them coming.
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Best Cover Crops for Home Gardens
Five cover crops that feed your soil while you rest, from nitrogen-fixing clover to clay-busting daikon — and one to skip for now.
Outdoor Living
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Patio Furniture Cover vs Deck Box vs Indoor Storage: Which Protects Best?
Covers are cheapest, deck boxes are handiest, indoors wins outright — pick by what you actually own.
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How to Store Patio Cushions for Winter (So They Don’t Come Back Moldy)
Clean, dry, and breathe — the winter cushion routine that prevents mold and flat foam.
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The Best Patio Furniture Covers for Winter: Waterproof, Vented, and Windproof
Three winter covers that shed snow, breathe, and stay put — plus the thin cover to skip.
From the Kitchen
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Grilled Pork Chops with Apples and Sage
Read the recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Apples and SageThick pork chops, grilled apple rings, and sage butter make dinner in under half an hour — with one thermometer reading doing the work.
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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.