Brett Horton

No yard? No problem—grow up, not out. With the right vertical gardening ideas, even a balcony or tiny patio can become a productive vertical vegetable garden. Small space gardening fails when pots are crammed together, vines tangle on the ground, and water evaporates before roots can use it. The fix is simple: take plants off … Read more

Want color that never fades and patterns that survive winters? Garden mosaics turn plain paths and pots into art—if you build them to last. Most outdoor fails aren’t about talent; they’re about the wrong tile, glue, grout, or base. Freeze–thaw pops pieces off porous substrates, pooled water creeps under tiles, and rigid surfaces without movement … Read more

You don’t need a garden bed to pick bowls of berries—just the right planter and a few setup tricks. If your last attempt fizzled, it probably wasn’t you—it was the container. Many “cute” pots are too small, crammed with plants, or hard to water evenly. That combo shrinks berries and invites mold. This guide cuts … Read more

You can get the tropical look without clogged filters, cracked paving, or 40-foot monsters towering over your pool. The trick is picking small palm trees for pool area use that actually stay small, keep litter low, and won’t create maintenance headaches. Too many “best palms for around pools” lists gloss over realities like true mature … Read more

If your pond edge is steep or plastic-looking, wildlife will avoid it—and algae won’t. A shiny, vertical rim or bare pond liner edging is more than a cosmetic issue: it traps small animals, stops roots from anchoring, and wicks nutrients into the water. The result? Stressed plants and murky water. Designers at Freshwater Habitats Trust … Read more

You can enjoy your patio year-round—if your pergola roof is truly waterproof, not just “water-resistant.” Too many covers leak because the wrong materials are used, the roof lacks pitch, or the drainage and flashing were never designed as a system. Modern solutions fix this with sealed seams, interlocking components, and integrated gutters that move water … Read more

If your yard tilts like a ski slope, you don’t need a bulldozer—you need a plan. Slopes waste usable space, are miserable to mow, and they shove water exactly where you don’t want it—toward foundations, patios, and paths. Left alone, that runoff erodes soil, drowns plants, and can even create basement leaks. In this guide … Read more

Most “affordable” paths crack, wash out, or turn weedy. The difference isn’t fancy materials—it’s picking the right cheap materials and installing them properly. This guide turns common mistakes into wins so your budget garden path looks good for years. You’ll avoid pitfalls like using the wrong rock size, skipping edging or fabric where it’s needed, … Read more

Want your outdoor space to feel like a Provençal courtyard by next weekend? You’re not alone. Lots of people love the look—lavender humming with bees, a gravel courtyard garden underfoot, and a little bistro table—but get stuck on the what to buy, how deep to lay it, and how to keep it low-maintenance and water-wise. … Read more