Outdoor Guide

1 day ago | outdoorguide.com | Danno Wise

With their lavender-colored, bell-shaped blooms, Spanish bluebells have become popular throughout many areas of the U.S. The fact that they are easy to grow and relatively low maintenance add to their popularity. However, they are not native to the U.S. They actually originate in the Iberian Peninsula — Spain and Portugal — and the northwest portion of the African continent. They are a perennial that you plant once but will never leave your garden, which is where part of the rub comes in.

1 day ago | outdoorguide.com | Danno Wise

If you happen to see a hummingbird feeder wrapped in aluminum foil like a soda can from a 1980s field trip, there's a good reason for it. People love seeing hummingbirds in their gardens and yards. These frisky fliers are not just fun to watch, but hummingbirds are effective pollinators and help control mosquitoes and other harmful insects.

2 days ago | outdoorguide.com | Danno Wise

Weeds are a common problem in lawns across the country. While proper maintenance can keep weeds in check in most yards, some lawns are seemingly more weed-prone than others. If you've tried almost everything, including different mowing techniques to control weeds but still find yourself in an uphill battle against undesirable vegetation, you may want to consider choosing a different type of grass for your yard. Perennial ryegrass is fast-growing and perfect for weed-prone lawns.

3 days ago | outdoorguide.com | Danno Wise

There are a variety of reasons why gardening is good for your health, not the least of which is providing freshly harvested fruits and vegetables for healthy meals. However, when it comes to planting the seeds that lead to these harvests, you have to be careful not to overdo it. In a classic example of too much of a good thing, a common gardening mistake is planting too many seeds too close together. For those hoping to prevent this overcrowding faux pas, cornstarch may be the solution.

3 days ago | outdoorguide.com | Danno Wise

Texas is a big state. In fact, it is the second biggest state in the US and held the top spot until Alaska was admitted to the union in 1959. Well before that, the slogan 'Everything is bigger in Texas' was a common refrain across the country and continues to be to this day. However, one of the biggest dangers facing those exploring the state's quarter-million square miles is presented by a creature that's barely bigger than a penny. Kissing bugs may sound harmless — even loveable.