Department

Outdoors & Garden

From compact urban courtyards to full backyard kitchen gardens, outdoor spaces thrive when drainage, sun exposure, and native or climate-adapted plantings work together. Browse our guides on patio hardscaping, raised bed construction, and seasonal yard care.

Topics: Patio & Hardscaping · Raised Beds & Soil · Exterior Wood Care · Seasonal Planting

Backyard limestone patio with weathered cedar pergola, corten steel raised herb garden beds, and pea gravel pathways at golden hour

Outdoors

Backyard Patio and Kitchen Garden Planning: Combining Permeable Gravel, Stone Pavers, and Raised Beds

Design an outdoor living and dining area that drains cleanly after heavy rain and places culinary herbs and perennial pollinators within steps of the kitchen.

Sep 29, 20262 min read

Weathered cedar pergola and teak outdoor dining set on a stone garden patio

Outdoors

Maintaining Exterior Cedar and Teak: How to Clean, Brighten, and Protect Outdoor Wood Structures

Understand why exterior timber weathers to silver-gray, how to wash mildew without gouging wood fibers with a pressure washer, and when to apply UV oil.

Aug 28, 20261 min read