Martin Cooper

Want a lush lawn? Plant the right grass type for your growing region. Image: Westend61/Getty Images If you ever cruise Pinterest or home design sites (and we’re guessing you do), you’ve probably fawned over a gorgeous lawn or two. And that can be sort of a bummer if your own grassy area is looking a little lackluster. Worried you don’t have a green thumb? Are you just cursed? Actually, it turns out that you might be trying to grow the wrong type of grass for your growing region. Tall fescue grows best in the northern half of the country. Image: Billy Lau/Getty Images What is a growing region? A growing region is an area where certain types of plants are likely to thrive based on the climate. Some people group the continental U.S. into just a few distinct growing regions, while the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map has over two dozen distinct zones. The latter divides each region based on a 10 degree Fahrenheit difference in annual average winter temperature. Fortunately, there ar...

As a homeowner, you probably like the challenge and the cost-savings of handling many of your own lawn and landscaping projects. For example, cutting your grass weekly is a home maintenance task that most DIYers can successfully complete. However, there are other scenarios in which homeowners are taking matters into their own hands – with disastrous results. These are some of the lawn and landscaping projects you should leave to the pros. Testing the soil before planting Acidic or alkaline? Image: Aroon phadee/Shutterstock This is a project that can be done DIY with an at-home soil tester, but our experts don’t recommend it. “Bringing a soil sample to your local county extension service offers the most detailed information on soil pH levels – acidity and alkalinity – as well as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus levels,” according to Keven Shanks, manager of retailer training at Scotts Miracle-Gro . It’s important to test the soil, especially if you’re planting a vegetable gard...

If you need a new dining table, choosing one can be fun. It allows you to define the style you want for your dining room. And there are many attractive options to sort through. Plus, who doesn’t like a stylish new piece of furniture? But choosing a dining room table has to be done carefully since the table’s such a large, room-defining piece. So below we’ll cover how to pick the right dining table for you and your home. Shopping for a dining table can take a day or weeks, depending on how much time you have to devote to the project each day and how many options you choose to sort through. Sometimes you find just the right piece immediately, and sometimes it takes a while. Dining tables also run all over the price range, depending on size, materials and style. A more simply designed table could cost in the mid $200 range, or you could be paying thousands of dollars or more. That’s why it literally pays to take the time to shop around. To that end, we’ve gathered some tips to help you ...

Warmer weather entices people outside, and let’s face it, wide open spaces can provide more room to move around and reduce the potential for damage to your home’s interior. However, to truly provide an outstanding outdoor entertaining experience, you’ll need to create a fun and inviting environment, Here’s what you need to create the type of outdoor space that neighbors won’t want to leave. More than a grill You’ll gain a lot of friends with this Artisan Fire Pizza Oven by Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet . Image courtesy of La Cuisine Appliances . A grill is an obvious starting place. “You’ve got to have a good looking and functional grill,” says Daniel Germani, founder and creative director of Daniel Germani Designs .  “My favorite is the one has a lid that folds all the way back and goes flush with the countertop.” However, Josu Gaubeka, president of La Cuisine Appliances , a kitchen appliances distributor, says he’s also seeing an increasing number of other appliances and acces...