4 Ways to Cool Your Outdoor Space

4 Great Ways to Cool Your Outdoor Space (Beginner’s Guide)

Patios and well, really any outdoor living space is the prime location for everything from family get-togethers to hosted dinners, to simply enjoying the outdoor air while working on a paper. But I’m from the Southern United States, and summer days can get hot and steamy.  Before you let the hot temperatures drive you inside,…
7 Things to Know About Raised Bed Gardens

7 Things to Know About Raised Garden Beds (Starter Guide)

If using raised garden beds is the right choice for your gardening style, you may have some questions. Even if you’ve done your research, things come up.   If you do the proper planning and maintenance, your raised bed gardens will give you a great return on your investment of money and time.  In this article,…
Best Way to Clean Your Concrete Completely

The Best Ways to Clean Your Concrete Patio Completely

Cleaning your concrete patio is a subject that we all need to know more about. This article covers multiple ways to keep your concrete clean and looking good.
What Outdoor Furniture Lasts Longest

How Many Years Can Quality Outdoor Furniture Last? (Helpful Guide)

With all the different types of outdoor furniture, one can wonder which of them lasts the test of time. This article delves into which is the longest lasting.
Swim Spa vs Hot Tub

Swim Spa Vs Hot Tub: What’s the Difference?

Most people understand what a hot tub is and that it’s there for recreation and relaxation above all else. You can get in to relieve stress and to help with tired, achy muscles.  A swim spa, on the other hand, combines the perks of being able to swim and exercise in a small space with…
How Many Jets Should a Hot Tub Have?

How Many Jets Should a Hot Tub Have? (Beginner’s Guide)

Did you ever wonder why hot tub advertisements focus on the number of jets in a hot tub? I mean, if you are only one body, how many jets can possibly do you any good? It begs the question, how many jets should a hot tub have, and does it matter? Most small hot tubs…
Raised Garden Beds

Accessible Gardening for Seniors and People with Disabilities

Accessible gardening is a great way to be self-sufficient even if your mobility is hindered due to age or some other event. With it, you are able to get some much-needed sunlight, exercise, and fresh vegetables. Raised bed gardening is an excellent pastime for seniors and people who have mobility issues because it brings the…
How to Clean and Maintain a Hot Tub

How to Clean and Maintain a Hot Tub? (4 Great Tips)

Your hot tub is a very expensive investment and you want to be sure it lasts as long as possible. To that end, it’s imperative that you clean and maintain your hot tub appropriately and regularly.  To clean and maintain your hot tub correctly, be prepared to test its operation and water chemistry daily, shock…
How to Keep a Hot Tub Hot: Most Effective Tips

How to Keep a Hot Tub Hot: Most Effective Tips

Do you need to know how we keep our hot tub water hot and ready for a good dip all year round? Well, I have some tips for you.  There are several methods of heating your hot tub water and retaining the heat, including keeping the cover down, running the jets, leaving the power on,…
Should I Leave My Hot Tub On All The Time?

Should I Leave My Hot Tub on All the Time? (Explained)

We’re told that the best way to save money on our electricity bill is to cut something off. It’s drilled into us from a very early age. I remember my mother yelling at me when she would walk behind me cutting all of the lights off in my wake. But not all electrical devices are…
How Much Does it Cost to Run a Hot Tub

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hot Tub? (Answered)

There are a lot of expenses that go into the operation of a hot tub. There are chemicals. There are filters and other equipment. But the most important expense for most homeowners to consider is the additional electricity they will need to budget for.  On average, the energy cost to run a large, permanent hot…
In-ground vs above-ground fire pits

In-Ground Vs Above-Ground Fire Pits: How Are They Different?

Fire pits have become a must-have ever since we began living on our own property and have been able to make and share them. I grew up with bonfires on starlit nights roasting marshmallows and just getting lost in the stories or the crackling of the flames.  In my current home, we inherited a little…
What kind of water to use in garden ponds

What Kind of Water to Use in Garden Ponds? (Things to Know)

One cannot simply use tap water and nothing else and expect their pond to flourish. What kind of additives go into your water depends upon what you want to grow in your garden pond and around it.  Water in a pond must be treated for chlorine and chloramine. Your garden pond water should be tested…
8 Best fish for Garden Ponds

8 Best Fish for Garden Ponds? (Beginner Fish Guide)

Every time I turn around, people are telling me that koi fish is the best fish to add to your garden pond. They’ve been used in man-made ponds for thousands of years. So, it begged the question – which really is the best fish for a garden pond? And are there fish that you should…
What equipment is necessary for a garden pond?

What Equipment is Necessary for A Garden Pond? (Explained)

If you want to have a thriving garden pond, you need the foundation for that pond first. Before you add the pretty stone, the plants, or the fish, you need to consider these structures and also the mechanics that keep a pond clean and healthy.  What I would consider essential to your pond would not…
What can you do with an unwanted garden pond?

What Can You Do with an Unwanted Garden Pond? (Answered)

I have had the chance to enjoy a lovely backyard garden pond. I watched our koi grow, reproduce, and die. I watched our water lilies bloom for 2 years before the upkeep just became too much. I gave away the plants and instead of a water feature, by the time we sold out home, we…