Lawn Care

One man’s weed is another man’s best friend. That’s certainly true for many of the weeds that are found in backyards around the country. While some gardeners labor to rid their patches of earth of any stray stem or sprout, they might do well to live and let live. At least, that’s the case for a handful of weeds that boast a bevy of benefits, from attracting pollinators to repelling pests, and from fertilizing soil to filling a salad plate (although you should take care not to consume any weeds that have been treated with chemicals). Read on to discover the hidden benefits these misunderstood plants can offer.

While it doesn’t guarantee a lush, green lawn, applying your own homemade fertilizer is an inexpensive, satisfying step in the right direction.

Many of us have a love-hate relationship with our lawns. Although we enjoy the cool carpet of green grass to lie on and play on in summer, no one wants to spend hours every weekend mowing and trimming—not to mention battling weeds, insects, and fungus, and aerating, feeding, watering, and seeding. Turf lawns take a lot of time and money to maintain. They require the use of precious water resources to keep them alive, and the pesticides and herbicides we apply to them can damage the environment. More and more, people are turning to low-maintenance, no-mow lawn alternatives like meadows, rock gardens, and ground covers. These fresh options prove that you can have a beautiful yard without growing a single blade of grass. If that sounds right up your alley, check out these 10 no-mow alternatives to a grass lawn.

Sunday customers’ top concerns are shedding light on how common lawn maintenance practices are harmful to the environment. Is global warming really forcing us to choose between aesthetically pleasing lawns and climate-consciousness practices? Or is there a solution that will allow us to have grass without the guilt?

Banish weeds the right way—and keep them from coming back—with these tips, tools, and techniques.

Why edge your lawn? It’s the difference between just mowing a lawn and manicuring it. Maybe time-consuming initially, maintenance will be infrequent, quick, and rewarding.

Do you ever dream of a beautiful backyard that takes care of itself, leaving you free to simply lounge in a hammock? Well, a completely self-sufficient garden may not be possible, but you can cut down on yard duties if you make Mother Nature your helper. Here are 10 ways to get nature to do your yard work—at least some of it—for you.

Oscillating sprinklers have carved out a niche in the world of lawn watering. See how a popular one fared in our hands-on testing.

To nurture your lawn without wasting a precious resource, learn when—and just how much—you should water it.

Make yours the best yard on the block by following these basic lawn care tips.