Author Archives: micah

You want to get outside and enjoy your backyard … but so does everyone else. That might not be a problem at all for some people, but in some neighborhoods, houses are close together and backyard privacy is more of a dream than a reality. There are a few things you can do to make your outdoor space just a bit more private. Here are some of our best tips.  Use structures. Backyard structures like pergolas can add a little […]

For many Arizonans, summer means one thing: indoor entertainment. Air conditioning is key to surviving consistently triple-digit temperatures and those oppressive UV rays. And the thought of going outside to brave that summer heat is almost laughable. Still, there are a few activities that actually lend themselves well to outdoor entertainment, even in the brutal Arizona summers. With those high temps just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning ahead by building your list of outdoor […]

If there’s one trend we’ve seen really take off over the last few years, it’s creating outdoor living spaces. An outdoor living space essentially brings the indoors outdoors, basically expanding the usable square footage of your home. And if you think this trend isn’t realistic in Arizona (hello, blazing hot summers!), think again. Plenty of Arizonans are jumping on the outdoor living space bandwagon, creating comfortable, functional outdoor spaces that allow them to enjoy their backyards year round. When it […]

It’s springtime in Arizona, which can only mean one thing for Phoenicians: summer is on the way. While we’re still basking in the cooler temperatures and pleasant days, we all know that blazing heat is just around the corner. But there’s a simple solution to handling the hot summer days without confining yourself to the indoors all season. That solution is shade. Being in direct sunlight can make a hot day feel even hotter. Conversely, getting out of direct sunlight […]

Maintaining a yard is difficult in the best of circumstances. Add in an arid desert climate, and you’re up for a real challenge. While some Arizona residents decide to skip greenery in their yards altogether, opting for the incredibly low maintenance “all rock” look, a lot of Arizonans prefer to add at least a little greenery to their yards, which begs the question: how do you find low maintenance plants that will look great and survive the harsh Arizona climate? […]

Xeriscape landscaping, or xeriscaping, is landscaping done with water conservation in mind. In fact, most xeriscaping attempts to design landscaped areas that use little to no supplemental water.  Sound impossible? Think again. Xeriscaping can actually create landscaped areas that are as beautiful as they are environmentally friendly. But whether or not the look of xeriscaping appeals to you, no one can deny that there are some amazing upsides to this style of landscaping. Here are some of the biggest benefits […]

At first thought, there might not seem to be any downsides to an outdoor barbecue grill or kitchen in your backyard. But just as with any major addition to your home, it’s not a choice that should be made lightly. It’s important to consider the pros and cons of such an addition before putting in the time and money it would require. Today, we’re going to go over the biggest pros and cons of adding an outdoor barbecue to your  […]

When people think about landscaping their yard, they often think about bushes, trees, flowers, and grass. Some people go beyond that to think of rocks, pavers, or water features. But there’s something that’s just as important as any of these things, but that often gets overlooked in discussions about landscaping: lighting. Lighting plays a vital role in landscaping design, and taking time to make sure your landscape is lit properly can make all the difference in your yard. Here are […]

A fire pit is a popular addition to a backyard, and for good reason. Even in the Arizona desert, there’s nothing quite like sitting around a glowing fire on a cool evening.  If you’re thinking of adding a fire pit or fireplace to your outdoor living space, you’ll have some logistics to work out. One of the biggest questions you’ll have to answer is whether you prefer a wood burning or gas outdoor fire pit. Today, we’ll give a brief […]

The Japanese “zen garden” is designed using rocks, water, plants, and sand, all carefully designed and placed to promote mindfulness and meditation. As the American Heart Association says, “Spending time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost feelings of happiness and wellbeing.” Unfortunately, not all of us are able to get to “nature” on a regular basis. But if you can’t go to nature, then you can at least bring nature—and its zen—to you. While you […]