Skip to content
Backyard University
  • Animals
  • Games
  • Entertainment
  • Pools
  • Pests
  • Gardening
  • Decks
  • Succulents
  • BBQ/Cooking

Leslie ColtLeslie Colt

Leslie Colt is a gardening expert and author from Boston, Massachusetts. She has a passion for helping people make the most of their outdoor spaces, and often writes about the joys of growing plants in small patio gardens. When she's not busy writing, Leslie can be found tending to her own small patio garden, or exploring the green spaces of the Common, Public Garden, etc in Boston.
Squirrel burying its nuts

Why Do Squirrels Bury Nuts

March 28, 2023 by Leslie Colt

It’s so much fun to sit on a park bench or in our backyards and watch as squirrels gather nuts. They look around and wait until they don’t think anyone is looking, then bury their bounty to eat later.  It’s amusing and relaxing to … Read more

Categories Animals Tags backyard, squirrels
Chiminea on Deck

Can You Put A Chiminea On A Wood Deck? How About A Composite Deck?

June 12, 2023March 27, 2023 by Leslie Colt

If you have a wood deck that you would love to enjoy year-round and are interested in an outdoor fire pit but don’t want it to detract from the natural beauty of your deck, a chiminea may be just the thing for you! But … Read more

Categories Decks Tags backyard deck, chiminea, Deck
Weeds in Deck

What To Put Under Deck To Prevent Weeds

March 27, 2023 by Leslie Colt

Have you ever seen a deck surrounded by weeds? It’s not a pleasant sight. Weeds can be difficult to control, but with a few proactive steps, they can be kept at bay.  Doing some planning, such as what to put under the deck to … Read more

Categories Decks Tags backyard, Deck, gardening, weeds, weeds under deck
A Broccoli Flower Ready For Harvest

How Many Broccoli Seeds Per Hole

March 27, 2023 by Leslie Colt

Broccoli or Brassica oleracea is part of the cabbage family. It is a cold-weater plant and grows best in zones 2-11 taking freezing temperatures as low as -20 degrees F. If you’re looking to add broccoli to your garden and curious about how many … Read more

Categories Gardening Tags backyard gardening, broccoli, broccoli seeds, gardening, growing broccoli
Paint over a stained deck

Can You Paint Over A Stained Deck

March 17, 2023 by Leslie Colt

Are you looking to spruce up your deck but don’t know where to start? If it’s stained and you’re wondering if you can paint over it, the answer is yes! Painting over a stained deck may be just what you need to give your … Read more

Categories Decks Tags backyard, decks, paint, paint or stain, stain
Blooming orchid

How To Water Orchids in Bark

March 9, 2023 by Leslie Colt

If you’re looking at how to water orchids in bark, it can be a bit different than watering other plants. Depending on the species, the amount of water needed differs, but the telltale signs of when they need water is the same. Once you … Read more

Categories Gardening Tags gardening, orchids, plants
Skunk in a backyard

How To Get Rid Of Skunks Under Deck

March 9, 2023 by Leslie Colt

Skunks Under Decks When wildlife enters our living spaces, it can cause a great many problems. Take, for example, the case of Mary from Pittsford, VT; she awoke one morning to find an unwelcome guest had taken up residence underneath her deck: a skunk. … Read more

Categories Pests Tags backyard, decks, gardening, pests, skunks
Flowering Zucchini Plant

Do Zucchinis Need Full Sun Or Shade

March 15, 2023March 8, 2023 by Leslie Colt

Full Sun or Shade If you’ve been longing to grow delicious vegetables in your garden and wonder – Do zucchinis need full sun, or do they grow well in the shade? Zucchinis require full sun and need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight … Read more

Categories Gardening Tags backyard, gardening, growing zucchinis, zucchinis
woman scrapes and peels carrots for compost

Vitamix Composter vs Lomi – Is There a Difference?

March 8, 2023 by Leslie Colt

Composters Composting is becoming an increasingly popular way to reduce waste and help the environment. With so many composters on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one is right for you. When comparing two of the most popular models – Vitamix … Read more

Categories Gardening Tags backyard, composter, gardening, Lomi composter, Vitamix composter
Garlic Scapes in a bowl

Can You Freeze Garlic Scapes For Year-Round Goodness

March 15, 2023March 6, 2023 by Leslie Colt

Garlic scapes may not be as popular as garlic bulbs, but these curly green stems are packed with flavor and nutrients that can take your dishes to a whole new level. Unfortunately, garlic scapes have a limited shelf life and can quickly go bad … Read more

Categories Gardening Tags backyard, freezing vegetables, gardening, garlic scapes
Older posts
Page1 Page2 Next →
+ More
  • MOSQUITOE DIES West Nile Virus Truths – Mosquitoes and Backyards
  • Staining a deck with roller brush How Often Do You Need To Stain A Deck
  • Squirrel burying its nuts Why Do Squirrels Bury Nuts
  • Snake Eating Do Snakes Like Sand
  • Cherry Blossom Tree Do Cherry Blossoms Grow Cherries?

 About | Contact | Disclosure

  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok

Sitemap | Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy

© 2025 Backyard University
Backyard University relies on the support of its readers. If you make a purchase through a link on our site, we may earn an Affiliate Commission.   Disclosure
Next Page »