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
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Creating Your Ideal Garden Space
Whether you have a large lawned garden with fruit trees or a small shady backyard, you want to make the most of your outdoor space. But how do you turn it into the ideal garden space for you, and how do you keep it looking good? Even if you’re not an experienced gardener, you can still create your perfect outdoor space. Hiring expert help and adding new features to your garden will make a big difference. Here’s some quick tips to help you do that. How to find the right gardener First, it’s wise to hire someone local to help create your ideal garden space. The quickest and easiest way to find a gardener is to search on the internet for a gardener near me. But before you start handing over your money, you need to make sure you know what you want doing, how much it’s likely to cost, and whether the gardener can deliver the service you need. Make a shortlist of local gardeners, then give them a call and find out if they are taking on new clients and what sort of prices … [Read more...] about Creating Your Ideal Garden Space
Soil Testing for Beginners
Soil testing and examining the soil is crucial to growing healthy plants. Quite simply, plants won't survive without good, healthy soil. Good soil can support plant growth because it contains the right amounts of nutrients plants need. Also, healthy soil has the right consistency to support root health and development. When the roots are growing rapidly, healthily, and happily, you can grow the healthiest plants. That’s why soil testing is so important. Soil testing is checking for all the qualities of good soil: structure, compaction, ease of use or workability, the presence of natural organisms, plant development, water infiltration, and soil pH. Here are some practical soil testing techniques. Soil Testing for Structure You can't tell if your garden soil is dry or wet just by looking at the surface. Dig a small hole about 10 inches deep and place the soil in a small tray. Try to take an intact soil sample and break it apart with your hands. Check if the soil is … [Read more...] about Soil Testing for Beginners
How to Keep Deer from Eating Your Landscape Plants
Yes, you can keep deer from eating plants in your landscape. Deer and other wildlife can be fun to watch on your property. But it's not much fun when deer eat the prized plants in your yard and vegetable garden. When deer treat your carefully cultivated landscape like it’s a salad bar, it’s time act. To keep deer from eating plants, you need to do something--and fast. A new generation of deer and wildlife control products is now available that keep deer and other critters away. These products are very effective, and they don't contain harmful chemicals. From predator scents to low-visibility deer fencing, here are some of the best ways to keep hungry deer from lunching in your garden. Plus, choosing deer-resistant plants is a great way to reduce browsing by hungry deer. In areas with large populations of deer, using more than one control method will give you the best results. Use the scent of a predator to repel deer A great way to keep deer from eating your landscape … [Read more...] about How to Keep Deer from Eating Your Landscape Plants
How to Plant a Tree in Your Yard
Many homeowners have questions when they decide to plant a tree. Just follow these easy steps when planting shade, ornamental or fruit tree. By using these expert tips as your guide, your tree should thrive and provide years of enjoyment in your yard. Select the Right Tree for Your Location Before you plant a tree, you need to decide what kind of tree to want to plant. Do you want a tree for privacy or to provide shade? Maybe your tree is meant to be an ornamental focal point in your yard. Perhaps you want a fruit tree to produce and edible crop of fruit. Another key consideration in selecting a tree is how much space you have in your yard. According to Jeff Dinslage, president of Nature Hills Nursery, which grows and sells all types of trees, many homeowners buy small trees that become too large for the space available. “Nature Hills lists the mature sizes of all of our plants right on the web page,” said Dinslage. “Compare the mature height and width of the tree to the space … [Read more...] about How to Plant a Tree in Your Yard
