Every homeowner wants their property to look its best, inside and out. After winter and spring has passed, the summer sun comes on strong and it’s a great time to give your home’s curb appeal a boost. However, some homeowners make some big mistakes, not thinking things through when they are planning their new landscape. Taking...Read More

With Hurricane Matthew spinning just off the east coast of the Florida peninsula, it’s good to know how to prepare a landscape for a tropical storm. Those conditions are highly expected to occur on the central west coast of the Sunshine State, and Sarasota, still reeling from previous storms, will likely be affected. The good...Read More

Terra cotta pots are one of the single most versatile household items. These are not only ideal for planting flowers, but also, to convert into fountains, make wonderful outdoor aesthetic decorations, and serve many more purposes. What you might not know is just how durable clay pots really are and what they can be used...Read More

The rain barrel, an ancient and efficient way of temporarily storing water for those not-so-rainy days or dry spells. Used for irrigating plants and lawns, vegetable and flower gardens, even for washing clothes. They’re also used for drinking water when properly distilled. So, these devices are a great way of cutting down costs and conserving...Read More

Living in the Sunshine State on the west coast in beautiful Sarasota is laid-back living at its best. The weather isn’t the only attractive thing about this sub-tropical paradise, it’s got plenty else to offer, from world-class beaches, to fine museums, to nightlife, and all sorts of outdoor recreational opportunities. Biking, canoeing, hiking, golf, tennis,...Read More

A water feature is one of the most soothing and beautiful amenities of a landscape, providing hours of relaxation. These can serve as focal points or can also be an enhancements to a residential landscape design. Water features come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, ranging from simple fountains to complex waterfalls, and must be maintained...Read More

There it is, rising from out of the ground, interrupting the continuity of your beautifully landscaped lawn, that ugly, slowly rotting stump. The felled tree once attached to it sits neatly stacked in a firewood pile or has long left your property. Yet, that stump remains; and, though you’ve considered repurposing it to make it into...Read More

Daffodils make wonderful indoor or outdoor plants. Up north and in the plain states, daffodils are sometimes used to bring a breath of spring indoors during the winter. But here in sunny west-central Florida, with very few days near freezing, you can enjoy this beautiful bulb practically anytime of year. Distinguished by their yellow, white, and...Read More

Pinewood lumber can be used for many applications. After pine is cut, the wood can be assembled into a piece of furniture, made into a derby car, fabricated into another form, or be used as decking. However, it must be painted, varnished or lacquered to preserve the finish to keep from rotting. Regardless of the final...Read More

If your deck looks a bit worse for the wear and the life seems to be zapped out of it, you can give it a makeover with some smart improvements. Homeowners love their outdoor spaces, when the weather permits. Regardless of where you live in the country, chances are excellent your deck takes a beating...Read More