Landscaping & Gardening

15 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Having a beautiful home is the ultimate goal of all homeowners. But, curb appeal is more than just caring about how your house looks from the street. Failing to keep up with exterior home maintenance can be a red flag to potential buyers…
Installing Concrete Paver Edging
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Smart Tips on Installing Concrete Paver Edging

Transform your outdoor living space with this step-by-step guide on how to install concrete paver edging with tips from professionals with a lasting finish. Edging can be a beautiful and decorative addition to your landscaping. It…
collage with 4 images showing diy planters
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28 Creative DIY Planters and Containers for Your Plants

Create beautiful DIY planters and containers on a budget! Discover 25+ DIY container garden ideas for every style—modern, rustic, whimsical, and more. DIY Planter Ideas Good news—whether you’re working with a big garden bed…
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How to Make a Sub-Irrigation Garden Bed

Welcome to the next level in low maintenance gardening! If you came here from my raised garden bed tutorial, let's make your new home garden even more amazing by installing a sub-irrigated planter system. Don't let the name fool you, sub-irrigation…
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How to Build a Raised Garden Bed with Arched Trellis

Gardening is a passion of mine and I’ve built several garden beds in my life. But, I’ve always dreamed of building a vegetable garden that could keep the deer, rabbits, and other critters out. I also wanted garden trellises that my climbing…
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How to Build Lattice Window Boxes

Learn how to build charming lattice window boxes to boost your curb appeal. This easy DIY guide uses simple materials with beautiful results! Window boxes have always been on my "want to do" list for my house. But, I put it off because…
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10 Creative Concrete-Free Walkway Ideas for Your Home

Pathways around your home can be functional (protecting grass, your feet, or creating a smooth surface to walk on.) Paths can be whimsical, natural, utilitarian, or decorative. Today I'll share 10 creative concrete-free walkway ideas for your…
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The Surefire Way to Create a Thriving Flower Garden Bed

Learn my tips and tricks to create a beautiful thriving garden bed in no time. The SureFire Way to Create a Thriving Flower Garden Bed We live on a beautiful tree-filled lot in North Carolina. I love all our trees, but sometimes I crave a…
phg-removing-english-ivy

Easiest Way to Get Rid of English Ivy for Good

In the two decades we've lived in Raleigh, we've learned the Absolute Easiest Way to Get Rid of English Ivy. No back-breaking pulling or bending over. This is truly the best way to remove English ivy. Easiest Way to Get Rid of English Ivy…

11 Things You Should Always Do Before Hiring a Tree Service

I've heard so many stories from people who've been scammed by tree contractors. In fact, we've had our own negative experience with one, but luckily I had enough information and experience to not get scammed. With over two decades of wisdom…
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Millie’s Remodel Update: Exterior Front Reveal

Get a load of this transformation! See Millie's Remodel and her exterior front reveal. Plus, I'm sharing tips to help you keep your home protected from termites when landscaping. Millie's Remodel Update: Exterior Front Reveal This update…
DIY American Flag Planter Box
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DIY American Flag Planter Box

Want to add a little bit of a patriotic flair to your Summer porch or patio? This DIY American Flag planter box is so simple to make from start to finish, you can easily create one for yourself. DIY American Flag Planter Box I hope you…
raised garden bed with cucumber trellis
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How to Build a Raised Garden Bed with a Cucumber Trellis

It's spring-time and the perfect time to start a garden. Build this raised garden bed with or without a cucumber trellis and start gardening tomorrow! How to Build a Raised Garden Bed with a Cucumber Trellis Is there anything better than vegetables…
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14 DIY Projects to Get Your Garden Growing

It seems to me that we could all use a little distraction during this season of social distancing. I encourage you to step outside and try your hand at one (or two) of these DIY Projects to Get Your Garden Growing! Not only will you set yourself…
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Kid-Friendly Craft: DIY Hummingbird Feeder

Happy Spring Everyone! What a difference a few weeks can make. Like many of you, I am grappling with the uncertainty of this challenging time. My children are now home with me every day, for the foreseeable future. In Seattle, life has completely…
Landscaping 101: Tools, Planting, and Adding Color to your Landscaping | Pretty Handy Girl
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Landscaping 101 – How to Create Beautiful Garden Beds

Ever notice your neighbor has a beautiful flower garden bed with lots of thriving plants but you can't seem to grow anything but rocks? I have the solution to your garden woes. Here's your Landscaping 101 Course: how to create beautiful garden…

Tips to Create Knock Out Container Gardens

Tips to Create Knock Out Container Gardens It's that time of year again where the weather is warming up and we can't get enough of colorful flowers blooming in the yard! It's also the time of year I like to fiddle around in the dirt and create…
Trellis on shed
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Quick and Easy DIY Fan Trellis

Quick and Easy DIY Fan Trellis Every spring I find myself making a new fan trellis to replace my worn, weathered and rotting trellis that was left out over winter.  This year, I am going to use the right materials (cedar and exterior screws)…
Beautiful ideas for DIY Rain Chains - Featured Image square
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Make Your Own DIY Rain Chains

Make Your Own DIY Rain Chains Do you know what a rain chain is? They are an attractive alternative to those boring downspouts connected to our home's gutters. Downspouts are incredibly beneficial since they help direct the draining of…
man pushing lawnmower shown from back
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Can This Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Really Replace a Gas-Powered Mower?

Can This Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Really Replace a Gas-Powered Mower? I have underestimated the abilities of battery-powered mowers for years. But, recently I received the STIHL RMA 460 Battery Powered Mower to test out. Did it live up to…
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How to Build a Window Pane Lattice Privacy Fence and Gate

How to Build a Window Pane Lattice Privacy Fence and Gate I should probably re-name this post How to Build a Window Pane Lattice Semi-Privacy Fence. But, honestly it's only semi-private because the lots in downtown Raleigh are so close together…
saving etta front view seeded and straw
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Saving Etta: Front Yard Transformation

Saving Etta: Front Yard Transformation & Tips for Saving Money on Landscaping I hope you enjoyed the backyard transformation I shared on Monday. Like the backyard, the front has taken on quite the transformation of its own. One of the first…
adirondack chairs around fire pit on old shed concrete pad
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Saving Etta Update: The Backyard Transformation

Saving Etta Update: The Backyard Transformation This has to be one of the biggest transformations (besides the demolition and framing) at the Saving Etta project! The backyard was an unruly mess of vines, overgrown shrubs, and weeds. I resisted…
DIY Firepit and Seating | Pretty Handy Girl
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46 Awesome DIY Projects for Outdoor Spaces

Awesome DIY Projects for Outdoor Spaces One great way to enjoy more time outdoors is to make your outdoor spaces useful, attractive, and functional! Here are 46 Awesome DIY Projects for Outdoor Spaces that will help you to create a personalized…
cut off old hose end
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How to Easily Fix a Leaky Hose

How to Easily Fix a Leaky Hose A garden hose is a valuable tool around my yard in the summertime. It's vital to keep my yard looking beautiful, keeping plants watered, and occasionally for a fun water fight with my kids. But what happens when…
beautiful two color mulch pathway
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How to Create an Inexpensive Stone and Mulch Walkway

Creating walkways around your home can keep mud and dirt from getting on your shoes and ultimately from being tracked into your house. Today I'll show you how to create a super easy (and inexpensive) pathway using mulch, stones, and edging.…
using a grid to hang indoor plants
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DIY Living Wall Planter Tutorial

DIY Living Wall Planter Tutorial For anyone who lives in a "not so sunny" place (and needs a quick pick me up from the dull grey skies), you'll find this easy DIY Living Wall Planter Tutorial just what you've been craving. Even if you live…
Weave your vines through the fence trellis to create a living wall!
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DIY Fence Trellis

DIY Fence Trellis Hi, Pretty Handy Girl readers! I'm Vineta from The Handyman's Daughter, and today I'm going to show you how to create this easy DIY fence trellis. Easily give a boring, flat fence visual interest in winter, and a place for…
How to Compost - Magnificent Garden Soil| Pretty Handy Girl
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How to Compost – Magnificent Garden Soil

Do you compost? Oh my gosh, if you don't, why not?!!! It is easy, it's great for the environment and it will result in amazing nutrient rich soil that surpasses anything you can buy from a store! Some of the additional benefits are that you…
How to Replace a Wheelbarrow Tire in 5 Minutes | Pretty Handy Girl
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How to Replace a Wheelbarrow Tire in 5 Minutes

What happens when you are ready to do some work in the yard and discover your wheelbarrow has a flat tire? You pump it up. But, then you realize the tire is dry-rotted and no air will stay in the wheel. Trust me when I say you don't want…
Ghostly Fairy Garden Planter

Ghostly Fairy Garden Planter

Hey everyone! It's Jillian from I Am a Homemaker here today to share a little twist on the typical fairy garden with my Halloween Ghostly Fairy Garden Planter. Fairy gardens are so fun and they add a little something special to your flower…
Grown Up Swing Set | Pretty Handy Girl

Swing Set for Grown Ups

Are your kids still using that old swing set in your backyard or have they long outgrown it? After our major landscaping project, we've been spending more time outside enjoying our new backyard. But, this eyesore was blocking the view. It…
How to Install Low Voltage Landscape Lights (that also repel mosquitos!) | Pretty Handy Girl
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How to Install Landscape Lights and Repel Mosquitoes

Pop Quiz: How can you beautify your yard AND repel mosquitoes at the same time? Do you give up? Introducing the new NuTone Haven Backyard Lighting & Mosquito Repellent System. As a resident of the North Carolina, we fight a…
Create a Living Wall Lattice Privacy Screen | Pretty Handy Girl

Create a Living Wall Lattice Privacy Screen

Did you see the Living Wall Lattice Privacy Screen I created for our new patio? It was so easy to install that I'm kicking myself for not thinking of the idea sooner. I'm just happy to have it now as it gives us a little more privacy and…
Backyard Patio Reveal | Pretty Handy Girl

Backyard Landscaping and Patio Reveal

I've had many friends and readers ask if our backyard renovation was complete. Truth be told, it was finished right before Spring arrived. I wanted to wait for the plants to start blooming before taking the final pictures. Plus, I had to…
How to Build a Square Foot Gardening Grid that Won't Rot | Pretty Handy Girl

How to Build a Square Foot Gardening Grid that Won’t Rot

As I mentioned before, I am trying my hand at Square Foot Gardening. If you've never heard about this style of gardening, do some research or check out this book on Square Foot Gardening (affiliate link). The basic premise of the Square…
How to Build a Vegetable Trellis on a Budget | Pretty Handy Girl

How to Build a Vegetable Trellis on a Budget

Recently, I showed you how to build these rot resistant planter beds. They are definitely working well for me. Many of my seeds have sprouted and they look very happy. Soon I'll need a trellis to support the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers…
How to Build a Vegetable Trellis on a Budget | Pretty Handy Girl
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How to Build a Rot-Resistant Raised Planter Bed

I've wanted to start a vegetable garden for three years! Each Spring something comes up and it doesn't happen. This year is the year, I told myself. I'm going to build Raised Planter Beds that are rot-resistant (because who wants to…
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Building a Pergola with Trellis Screens

One of the design elements that our landscape designer proposed was Building a Pergola Trellis to screen our trash cans.  As soon as I saw the magazine clipping that she gave me, I was in love with the idea. Clipping from WoodMagazine.com I…
Update on Backyard Landscaping | Pretty Handy Girl
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Backyard Landscaping Update

Things have been busy in our yard. There's been lots of mud and dust flying around. I figured you'd like an update on our backyard landscaping. Put on your boots and let's get dirty! If you remember, I had big plans to give our back yard…