It’s hard to take my mind off Purgatory Porch. The almost-repaired structure languishes, two screen panels short of enclosed, at the height of mosquito season. Every bite on my legs reminds m… ...

One other reason we mulch our beds is that it is sometimes the best way to improve the soil. If you have the luxury of starting a new bed from scratch — no plants to work around — it’s easy.

Q. I'm preparing a 3 1/2 -by-11-foot flower bed. I've added soil. Do I add plants or mulch next? I want low-maintenance plants, and boxwood was recommended for the back of the bed. Are azaleas an ...

Mulch tree and shrub beds. Avoid creating volcanoes–steeply mounding soil or mulch around plant material. The unsightly appearance detracts from your landscape and promotes rodent and insect ...

And that invites insects and disease to move in. Roots also may begin to circle around in the mulch bed like they do inside a plastic container. Fix it: Use a 2 to 3-inch deep layer, ...