Lawn and Garden

There's a fable that compares the strength of an oak to the flexibility of a willow. The willow weathers the storm because it bends with the wind. But if you live in a storm-prone area, what type of tree should you plant in your yard?

By Cristen Conger

Imagine you're in a garden with a verdant ground that is punctuated by flowers and two pebble paths. When delicate flowers intersect with inanimate, structural objects, there are hardscaping design principles at work

By Jane McGrath

You wouldn't plant a banana tree in Wisconsin, would you? Or if you did, you'd expect to give it a lot of tender love and care -- it's far too exotic to thrive on its own. Sometimes, it just makes sense to work with what the natural landscape offers.

By Cristen Conger

How much water does a rock need to grow? That's a trick question. If your thumb isn't exactly green but you love the idea of having a manicured outdoor space, a rock garden might fit the bill.

By Jane McGrath

Irrigation lines can bring your farm or garden alive, but you may have to troubleshoot a few problems along the way. What do you do if compacted soil, coyotes or cold weather messes up your system?

By Robert Lamb

The green movement is becoming more and more popular, gaining momentum daily. And there are many popular systems and programs that can help restore some of Earth's depleted resources. Agroforestry is one practice that does just that.

By Vivien Bullen

If you're trying to improve your property, you may cringe at the thought of anything as complicated as a landscape analysis. Can't you just plant some flowers and be done with it? Why start with a landscape analysis? Find out.

By Vivien Bullen

We've all seen an overgrown, ugly, garbage-filled, vacant city lot at some point in our lives. These hulking eyesores can make the loveliest of neighborhoods look unkempt and even unsafe. But it's nothing a little urban landscape design can't fix.

By Vivien Bullen

If after a heavy rain, your yard holds enough water for Noah to float his ark, maybe it's time for some landscaping. Paying attention to your yard's soil type, as well as the plants and erosion within it, is important when planning a landscape.

By Olivia Page

Succulents manage to live with a lot less water than some of their thirstier counterparts. That doesn't mean you can just neglect them and expect them to thrive though.

By Jessika Toothman & Melanie Radzicki McManus

As the population of our planet soars and arable land declines, hydroponics will allow us to produce crops in greenhouses or in multilevel buildings dedicated to agriculture. How else will hydroponics save plant populations?

By Bambi Turner

Is too much of a good thing a bad thing? When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, yes. So what does the damage? And how can you make splendor from your grass?

By Josh Clark

Permaculture emphasizes integrated farming and ecological engineering which, in theory, allows farms and communities to pursue their own ends in a way that works with their environments.

By Robert Lamb

Don't bag your grass cuttings for the garbage man. Bags of grass grow our landfills when those clippings could be growing a healthy lawn. How do lawn clippings act as fertilizer?

By Cristen Conger

Forget those boring plots of fruits and veggies. Why sacrifice aesthetic appeal when growing your own food? Border your garden with lettuce, use mint as ground cover and encourage your kiwi vines to climb trellises.

By Cristen Conger

Planting a few trees in your yard certainly won't obliterate your entire carbon footprint. But it could cut your energy costs. How much carbon dioxide does the average tree absorb?

By Cristen Conger

What if you could shop for fruits and veggies in your own backyard? Not only would it save you a trip to the grocery store, it might save you some cash. How much?

By Cristen Conger

What was once your manicured front yard is now an unruly jungle, home to various creatures and an eyesore for neighbors. The time has come to mow the lawn.

By Robert Lamb

Eventually, you may find reel mowers sitting between treadmills and free weights at your gym. After all, these old-school, environmentally friendly gardening tools rely on human power to mow your lawn.

By Robert Lamb

Gardens have lots of benefits, but what if you don't have any land to start your own? If you're strapped for green space, a community garden might be the answer.

By Jennifer Horton

When you spend all day in a cubicle, the idea of a lush green paradise of plants sounds like wishful thinking. But container gardening just might do the trick.

By John Fuller

What has bright, blooming flowers and a sea of flapping wings? A butterfly garden. Planting one will help you to attract and conserve these winged beauties.

By Jennifer Horton

Bromeliads are plants that grow from the southern United States through Argentina. They can vary greatly in size, shape, color, and ease of growth. Learn about their characteristics and how to properly light, water, pot, and fertilize these plants.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Bromeliads are perennial plants that have one seed leaf. Bromeliads commonly grow in the American tropics, and a majority of the species are found in Brazil. These tough, long-lived plants grow well indoors, too. Learn more about types of Bromeliads.

Cacti and succulent plants come in a variety of types, sizes, shapes, and colors. Some species of cacti produce leaves, while others are known for producing flowers. They can tolerate a wide variety of climates. Learn about cacti and how to care for these plants.

By Editors of Consumer Guide