Privacy Plants That Work: Fast, Dense, and Right for Your Yard
Choosing privacy plants is about more than speed. Get real advice on spacing, climate fit, and which hedges actually work for small yards or tough spots.
6 min read
Landscaping
Beds, hardscape, privacy planting, and outdoor structures. Measure once, buy the right amount, and build in the right order.
10 guides
Start with the numbers
Work out quantities and costs before you read further.
Mulch Calculator
Enter your bed dimensions and how deep you want the mulch. You'll get cubic yards, the number of 2 cu ft bags, delivered weight, and whether bags or bulk works out cheaper at that volume.
OpenSoil Calculator
Work out soil volume for any planting area, then see it costed as bags and as bulk. Handles rectangular beds, curved borders, circles, and irregular shapes built from sections.
OpenPlant Spacing Calculator
Find out how many plants a bed needs at your chosen spacing, and how many fewer you need if you offset the rows. Triangular spacing fits about 15% more plants into the same ground.
OpenLandscaping guides
Flower Vines for Your Yard: What Works, What Wrecks, and What to Skip
Not all flower vines are friendly. Here’s how to pick the right climbers for your yard, match them to supports, and dodge invasives and home damage.
7 min read
Pergola Types, Costs, and How to Avoid Regrets
Not all pergolas are the same. Get the facts on types, costs, and planning so you don’t waste money or end up with a sunburn trap.
7 min read
How to Build a Treehouse That Lasts (and Doesn’t Kill the Tree)
The real trick to building a treehouse isn’t the carpentry,it’s attaching to a living tree without wrecking it. Here’s how to do it right, from hardware to safety.
6 min read
Winterizing Your Garden: What Actually Matters
Winter garden prep isn’t about wrapping everything in burlap. Here’s what actually matters for healthy beds, roses, and irrigation,plus what you can skip.
7 min read
Real-World Koi Pond Maintenance: Water Quality, Filtration, and Troubleshooting
If your koi pond water is cloudy, green, or just smells off, here’s how to get it back on track,without wasting time or money.
6 min read
Flagstone Landscaping Without Regrets: What Actually Works
Thinking about a flagstone patio or path? Get the truth on thickness, base prep, joint options, and what flagstone really costs before you start hauling stone.
7 min read
How to Figure Out How Much Mulch You Really Need
Most folks buy too much or too little mulch. Here’s how to measure, calculate, and choose between bags and bulk,plus what to skip.
6 min read
Rainwater Collection Laws: What’s Legal, What’s Not, and Where People Mess Up
Rainwater collection is legal in all 50 states, but the rules and incentives are all over the map. Here’s what actually matters for homeowners.
7 min read
Which Organic Mulch Is Best? Real Advice for Beds, Slopes, and Veggie Gardens
Not all organic mulches are equal. Here’s how to pick the right one for your beds, slopes, or vegetable patch,without wasting money or time.
7 min read