While you may never be on the Martha Stewart or Ina Garten level of home entertaining, there’s no reason you can’t aspire to these mega-hostesses’ easy, breezy entertaining philosophies.

Buying garden fertilizer can be expensive. But there are many ways that home gardeners can save money by making their own fertilizer.

Hours before I began to write this column, I was backing my car into a parking spot at church. Just ahead of me was an older garage on the church campus that was being remodeled. New vinyl siding is being installed, and my guess is all of the trim is going to be wrapped in pre-painted aluminum coil stock.

Pool upkeep costs may seem high but are vital. A pro's expertise is well worth the money. Here's how to keep your pool pristine all summer long.

Q: I just finished your article on water sensors and was disappointed you did not mention whole house water shut-off valves. I recently experienced water damage that required 90% of my wood floors to be replaced at an insured cost of about $55,000.

A visit from a deer can spell disaster for backyard plants. But there are things you can do to defend your garden from these hungry intruders.

If you have a garage just waiting for a facelift, you won’ t find a better DIY job than painting it. Consider renting a paint sprayer for the day, and get ready for a transformation. The real work involves preparing the siding before painting, which depends on its condition.

As temperatures and energy bills spike in the summer, it might be time to consider installing a heat pump.

If the idea of changing your garden over to native plants sounds daunting, don't worry. It doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing proposition.