Landscaping

30 articles

A beautifully landscaped front yard with drought-resistant plants like coneflowers and ornamental grasses, demonstrating stunning curb appeal in sunny weather.
Outdoor

Drought Resistant Landscaping Ideas for Stunning Curb Appeal

While many assume 'drought-tolerant' means a barren, brown yard, plants like Coneflowers deliver knockout blooms.

Mason Clarke·August 22, 2026
Homeowner winterizing outdoor faucet and garden hose bib to prevent freezing and bursting pipes before winter.
Maintenance

How to Winterize Home Plumbing and Landscaping for 2026

A single burst pipe can unleash thousands of dollars in water damage, transforming a minor oversight into a major financial and structural nightmare for homeowners.

Ethan Rowe·August 22, 2026
Professional landscaper using electric hedge trimmer with electric mower in background on a sunny day.
Outdoor

7 Essential Electric Tools for Professional Landscapers

A new Bainbridge Island-based electric lawn care business, Even Keel, launched this summer and already serves five clients, anticipating future local bans on gas-powered tools.

Mason Clarke·August 21, 2026
A tranquil garden scene with fallen leaves and protective coverings, signaling the end of autumn and preparation for winter.
Outdoor

Winter Landscaping Tasks to Protect Your Garden

Shoppers can save significantly on outdoor items by purchasing them now, before fall prices rise, while simultaneously preparing their gardens for winter's harsh conditions.

Mason Clarke·August 19, 2026
A charming home exterior enhanced by vibrant, low-cost landscaping upgrades, showcasing excellent curb appeal and increased property value.
Outdoor

8 Low-Cost Landscaping Upgrades for Curb Appeal & Value

Standard lawn care service alone can recover 217% of its cost at resale, making it one of the most profitable home improvements.

Mason Clarke·August 18, 2026
A dimly lit office with scattered documents and a spotlight on an incomplete business plan, representing the challenges of documenting A&K Outdoor Services' success.
Outdoor

Challenges in Documenting A&K Outdoor Services' Success

The U.S. landscaping services industry generated $129.5 billion in 2023, growing 3.6% annually between 2018 and 2023, according to IBISWorld . Within this robust market, A&K Outdoor Services has achie

Mason Clarke·August 17, 2026
A beautiful, water-wise garden in Fort Collins with native plants and efficient irrigation, demonstrating drought resilience for homeowners.
Tips & Guides

Homeowners: Adopt Climate Resilient Gardening for Drought

In Fort Collins, July was just recorded as the warmest month in the city's history, according to The Coloradoan .

Mason Clarke·August 10, 2026
A serene garden oasis with a shady tree, green turf, and comfortable seating, showcasing a cool and inviting outdoor space.
Outdoor

How to Create a Garden Cooling Oasis With Plants and Shade

Simply adding turf to an outdoor space can slash surface temperatures by up to 10 °C, transforming scorching patios into comfortable havens.

Mason Clarke·August 4, 2026
Colorado Mesa University campus transformed with water-efficient, drought-tolerant landscaping replacing a significant area of traditional grass.
Outdoor

CMU Cuts Campus Watering 20% with Sustainable Landscaping

Colorado Mesa University slashed campus watering by 20%, replacing just under one acre of grass with water-efficient landscaping.

Mason Clarke·August 3, 2026
Luxurious custom outdoor kitchen with dining and seating areas, bathed in warm sunlight, extending the home into the backyard.
Outdoor

Outdoor Kitchens Average $13K-$17K, Offer More Than Cooking

The national average for a custom-built outdoor kitchen now ranges from $13,000 to $17,000, transforming backyards into extensions of the home rather than just green space.

Mason Clarke·July 31, 2026
A beautifully renovated backyard patio with comfortable seating, ambient lighting, and a hint of a cracked paving stone, symbolizing the upgrade from a functional space.
Outdoor

Broken Yard Elements Drive Outdoor Living Space Upgrades for Homeowners

In 2026, 83% of renovated outdoor spaces in the U.

Mason Clarke·July 16, 2026
What Separates Good Structural Landscaping From Great—And How on Common Ground Landscapes Compares
Outdoor

What Separates Good Structural Landscaping From Great—And How on Common Ground Landscapes Compares

Transforming an outdoor area from a simple yard into a functional, beautiful living space is a significant investment for any homeowner. But the difference between a good landscaping job and a great one lies in the detai…

Sponsored·July 7, 2026
Split image: one side shows a traditional, water-intensive green lawn, the other a thriving, sustainable native plant garden.
Outdoor

Traditional landscaping trends face decline as sustainable alternatives rise.

By 2026, the traditional landscaping market, valued at $105 billion in 2023, is projected to begin shrinking by 8% annually.

Mason Clarke·July 6, 2026
A stunning low-maintenance backyard oasis featuring drought-tolerant plants, a Palo Verde tree, and a Saltillo tile patio.
Outdoor

Low Maintenance Landscaping Plants for Your Backyard Oasis

In a stunning transformation, Donna and Caitlin Whelan, a mother-daughter design team, ripped out non-native grass and concrete from a backyard, replacing them with drought-tolerant plants and a Palo

Mason Clarke·July 1, 2026
A beautifully designed porch and patio area featuring comfortable seating, elegant decor, and lush greenery, creating a perfect outdoor oasis.
Outdoor

Top 11 Porch and Patio Design Trends for Your Outdoor Oasis in 2026

Despite the allure of low-maintenance native plant gardens, many homeowners unknowingly set themselves up for thousands in future repairs by prioritizing only the cheapest upfront design options.

Mason Clarke·June 27, 2026
How Yarrabilba Landscaping & Maintenance Revives Tired Yards
Outdoor

How Yarrabilba Landscaping & Maintenance Revives Tired Yards

For homeowners in Yarrabilba, a tired and underutilized yard can feel like a missed opportunity. Yarrabilba Landscaping & Maintenance offers a comprehensive solution, providing professional landscaping, earthworks, retai…

Sponsored·June 22, 2026
A tranquil backyard oasis with a modern privacy screen and mature, fast-growing plants, offering immediate seclusion and a sense of escape.
Outdoor

Top 4 Privacy Solutions for Your Backyard Oasis in 2025

Even Hollywood icon Jamie Lee Curtis turned to mature-planting techniques for her backyard sanctuary, demonstrating a universal desire for immediate outdoor seclusion, according to Homes and Gardens .

Mason Clarke·June 22, 2026
A pristine front yard with a healthy green lawn and attractive, simple landscaping, enhancing the home's curb appeal and market value.
Real Estate

Avoid Landscaping Mistakes That Hurt Home Market Value

A $415 investment in standard lawn care service can yield roughly $900 in added home value at resale, an astonishing 217% return, according to Smartservice .

Mason Clarke·June 19, 2026
A vibrant and diverse border of ornamental grasses in various heights and textures, bathed in warm, late afternoon sunlight.
Outdoor

Top 7 Ornamental Grasses for Beautiful Yard Borders

Some popular ornamental grasses, chosen carelessly, become invasive species demanding eradication, not admiration.

Mason Clarke·June 17, 2026
Distressed homeowner surveys a neglected garden, with a 'For Sale' sign in the background, symbolizing costly landscaping mistakes.
Home Improvement

Homeowners make common landscaping mistakes that cost more

A recent survey found that 70% of homeowners regret at least one major landscaping decision within five years, costing them an average of $3,000 in repairs or replacements (Homeowner's Digest 2023).

Olivia Hart·June 13, 2026
A beautifully designed gravel garden with drought-tolerant plants and decorative stones, replacing a traditional lawn in a sunny front yard.
Outdoor

Gravel gardens gain popularity for water-saving landscaping

In drought-stricken Las Vegas, one homeowner cut their monthly water bill by 60% after replacing their entire front lawn with a gravel garden.

Mason Clarke·June 8, 2026
Tired of Shifting Mulch? How Kustomized Kurbing Creates a Low-Maintenance Garden
Outdoor

Tired of Shifting Mulch? How Kustomized Kurbing Creates a Low-Maintenance Garden

Tired of constantly sweeping and replacing mulch after heavy rains? Custom concrete curbing offers a durable, low-maintenance hardscape solution that locks in soil and mulch, creating clean, lasting garden borders.

Sponsored·June 8, 2026
A stunningly landscaped sloped yard with a multi-level terrace, vibrant plants, and a robust retaining wall, showcasing effective use of challenging terrain.
Outdoor

How to Landscape a Sloped Yard Effectively: A Complete Guide

A retaining wall over three feet tall triggers complex permit requirements, turning a simple landscaping project into a bureaucratic and costly ordeal.

Mason Clarke·June 5, 2026
A beautifully designed backyard patio that flows effortlessly into a modern living room, creating a unified indoor-outdoor living space.
Outdoor

Why Backyard Landscaping Now Mimics Your Living Room

Despite the average American home having a backyard, this space remains the most underutilized area, often sitting dormant rather than serving as a vibrant extension of indoor life.

Mason Clarke·June 5, 2026
A beautiful, water-wise landscape in front of a commercial building, showcasing sustainable design and efficient irrigation systems.
Outdoor

What Are Landscape Rebate Programs for Eco-Friendly Yards?

Commercial and multi-family property owners can receive up to $100,000 in rebates for converting high-water-use landscapes to sustainable, low-water alternatives, according to Valley Water .

Mason Clarke·June 3, 2026
A tranquil backyard oasis showcasing a harmonious blend of natural stone pathways, wooden seating areas, and abundant, lush greenery, embodying sustainable landscaping trends.
Outdoor

Homeowners Embrace Natural Materials Over Artificial for Top Landscaping Trends

In 2026, landscape designers are turning away from fleeting fads, instead prioritizing lasting greenery and oasis-like tranquility for homeowners.

Mason Clarke·June 3, 2026
A professional gardener tending to a lush, diverse garden filled with resilient annual flowers blooming vibrantly under the sun.
Home Improvement

Professional Gardeners Choose Resilient Annuals for Sustainable Blooms

In 2023, 30% of professional landscapers reported significant annual flower crop failures due to unseasonal weather, according to the National Gardeners Association.

Olivia Hart·June 1, 2026
A curated selection of essential, high-grade gardening tools displayed on a wooden surface, with a vibrant garden in the background.
Outdoor

Top 8 Essential Gardening Tools for Outdoor Spaces in 2026

To tackle stubborn weeds on nonflammable surfaces, some gardeners bypass chemicals, opting instead for a Bernzomatic 19426 JT850 Outdoor Torch.

Mason Clarke·May 19, 2026
A beautiful, water-wise landscape featuring native plants, efficient sprinklers, and mulched beds, demonstrating eco-friendly yard principles.
Outdoor

Top 7 Water-Smart Landscaping Principles for Eco-Friendly Yards

Homeowners can slash their landscape water use by up to 50% just by switching to efficient irrigation, according to Extension Okstate .

Mason Clarke·May 15, 2026
A homeowner carefully selecting deep charcoal grey landscape rock for a polished garden, avoiding the mistake of choosing the wrong color stone.
Outdoor

Common Landscaping Mistakes to Avoid for a Polished Garden

Imagine ordering deep charcoal grey landscape rock for your dream garden, only for a pale grey stone to arrive that clashes with everything.

Mason Clarke·May 7, 2026