Plant a few top fruit trees for backyard orchards on your property, and your taste buds will thank you. There is nothing quite like fruit trees in the landscape to delight the eyes and nose with springtime blossoms. And there's nothing a wonderful as biting into freshly picked homegrown apple or peach. That's why we've chosen the top fruit trees for backyard orchards that will grow almost anywhere. Selecting the right kind of fruit tree to grow in a landscape comes down to two main factors: the varieties of trees that grow well in your area and your own personal taste. According to Ed Laivo, fruit tree specialist for Natural Hills Nursery, the top fruit trees described below have proven to be dependable growers in the widest range of climates and are better than others when it comes to consistent fruit production and flavor of the fruit. Here are Laivo’s top recommendations for backyard fruit trees that will produce bushels of delicious fruit, year after year. Top Fruit … [Read more...] about Top Fruit Trees for Backyard Orchards
Homestead
How to Build a Floating Deck
If you are wondering how to build a floating deck, you’ve come to the right place. A floating deck is an inexpensive, freestanding platform that is surprisingly easy to build. The deck floats just above the ground atop preformed concrete blocks. It is not difficult to build, and it can be installed in most lawn or garden areas. Raising the deck off the ground allows the wood to dry out after rainstorms, helping it to last longer. The simple act of stepping up onto a platform helps establish a sense of place in the landscape. Elevating the floating deck also accommodates unique design elements. In the project described in detail below, we built a deck that cantilevers over a water garden. The floating deck is attractive, and it creates a serene gathering spot where the landscape can be enjoyed. How to Build a Floating Deck: Materials Needed The tools and materials specified below are required to build a floating deck that is 10 feet by 10 feet. Adjust board lengths … [Read more...] about How to Build a Floating Deck
Hide Your AC Unit with Smart Design Hacks
Air conditioners (AC units) are essential for countless homes and families. But AC units are not known for being the most attractive devices. In fact, many homeowners get frustrated when seeing those big gray boxes in their yards. If you have an AC unit in your yard, you probably wish it would just disappear. Well, you can't exactly get rid of your AC unit or magically make it vanish. It’s also important to be able to access it if you need to call an air conditioning repair service for essential maintenance or repairs. However, there are still plenty of innovative and effective ways you can hide your AC unit from view—or at least make it less of an eyesore. Here are some smart design hacks that will help to hide AC units and beautify your property. Home, Garden and Homestead is a member of several affiliate programs, and we receive a commission from qualified sales generated by the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting this website! Easy AC Unit Fence or … [Read more...] about Hide Your AC Unit with Smart Design Hacks
5 HVAC Tips to Save Energy
Every home impacts the environment. Virtually all these households (particularly in the industrialized world) have some sort of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It’s time to pay attention to HVAC tips to save energy. As sustainable living becomes more important, companies are doing their best to meet consumers’ eco-friendly demands. Those who live sustainably help keep the environment clean. They also benefit from saving money on utility bills. Without spending much money, you can use these 5 HVAC tips to save energy in your eco-friendly home. HVAC Tips to Save Energy #1: Seal Doors and Windows A quick and easy way to make your home more energy efficient is to seal your doors and windows. Your HVAC system’s job is to heat, cool and ventilate your home. It can’t do its job if the warm or cool air it puts out is just leaking out of your house through broken seals. Tightly seal your doors and windows. Check for cracks and gaps … [Read more...] about 5 HVAC Tips to Save Energy
Transform Cabinets with DIY Pull Out Shelves
DIY pull out shelves changed my life. I am only slightly exaggerating here. But seriously, we decided to transform our cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom with DIY pull out shelves. The result has been nothing short of amazing. When we moved into our home five years ago, the kitchen pantry had no shelving. So, we built our own pull out shelves. In our deep cabinets, the new full-extension pull-out shelves allow my family to reach the back of cabinets with ease. The do-it-yourself DIY pull out shelves also make the narrow openings easier to navigate. The shelves now pull ALL THE WAY OUT to bring order to overly deep spaces – like our bathroom cabinets. After years of stretching through the 12-inch opening to reach items at the back, we decided it was time to build pull out shelves. It was one of the smartest DIY projects we ever did. The following steps walk you through the process of building your own DIY pull out shelves. Getting Started on Your Pull-Out Shelves What … [Read more...] about Transform Cabinets with DIY Pull Out Shelves
