Before you effectively plan your patio, you need to know about all of the possibilities to achieve the outdoor living space of your dreams.

At their simplest, patios are areas of your yard that you pave and make into durable, weatherproof spaces for walking or using furniture. With a little imagination and careful planning, however, the simple backyard patio can become a cloistered retreat resplendent with lush plantings and quiet nooks, an extravagant entertainment click for more

Save money on your water bill -- and help the planet besides -- by minimizing water use in the garden.

When you water your garden lavishly, your checking account isn't the only thing going down the drain. Increasingly, landscapes are putting a burden on community water supplies, especially in the West. Even in the South and the East Coast, water rationing click for more