Brett Horton

A rose garden can transform any space into a vibrant oasis, but creating one that truly thrives requires more than just planting a few flowers. It’s about selecting the right varieties, designing layouts that balance beauty and practicality, and maintaining a space that continues to bloom year after year. The challenge is in making choices … Read more

You love gardening. You want a bright, beautiful space for your favorite plants. But it’s frustrating to spend $20, $30, or even $50 on boring terracotta pots. They all look the same! Why buy a pot when you could spend that money on new plants or soil? Garden lovers want creative, personalized displays without having … Read more

A backyard pond is one of the fastest ways to turn a yard into a living, cooling oasis—whether you’re after wildlife pond ideas that invite frogs and dragonflies, a low-maintenance small garden pond for a patio, or a deeper koi pond design with sparkling movement and sound. This guide on backyard pond inspirations cuts through … Read more

Your porch deserves more than a lonely welcome mat and a forgotten rocking chair—it’s prime real estate for a stunning succulent display that practically cares for itself. Do you want a beautiful porch garden but get tired of the constant work? Many traditional porch plants demand daily watering and constant care. They often wilt during … Read more

A hot tub can turn any garden corner into a private spa—if you get the placement, power, and privacy right. Most backyard installs go wrong on one (or more) of the boring-but-critical details: safe electrics, a firm level base, enough service clearance, running costs, drainage, and planting that doesn’t constantly drop debris into the water. … Read more

Slopes don’t have to be unusable—smart tiers add flat, plantable space, slow and stop erosion, and can even harvest rain. With the right plan, a sloped backyard landscaping project becomes a practical showcase of terraced garden beds that grow food, feed pollinators, and look great year-round. A one-inch storm on a typical 1,000-sq-ft roof yields … Read more

Corners are the most wasted square feet in a yard—yet the easiest places to score quick wins in beauty, yield, and privacy. Left alone, they collect weeds, downspout splash, and awkward shadows. Designed well, they become micro-gardens that look intentional and work hard. The catch? Corners are tricky. Angled fences and walls create mixed sun/shade, … Read more

Shade you can control beats guesswork—especially when it’s wind-rated, UV-blocking, and permit-friendly. Most lists of “covered pergola ideas” skip the unsexy parts: permits, wind and snow loads, roof pitch, and the real costs behind motorized louvers or insulated panels. Skip those steps and you risk leaks, warped panels, failed inspections—or a structure you can’t legally … Read more

Most coop regrets come from avoidable design misses—undersized space, poor airflow, or flimsy predator defenses. Pretty photos don’t keep hens healthy. Smart chicken coop designs do. New keepers often copy plans that ignore flock size, climate, and local rules, then battle ammonia smells, frostbit combs, and nighttime raids. Oregon State University Extension emphasizes roomy floor … Read more

You don’t need a contractor—or a huge bill—to make your garden glow. Most big-box displays push pricey “pro” fixtures, while a lot of DIY videos skip what actually matters: safe power, efficient beam aiming, and gear that survives real weather. This guide collects affordable garden lighting hacks you can do in an afternoon—cheap outdoor lighting … Read more