Latest articles by Alex David
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Are smokeless fire pits really smokeless? A fire pit designer reveals all
Before you buy one, it's smart to wonder if smokeless fire pits are really smokeless. I spoke to a fire pit designer to see if the marketing claims are true
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How to light a driveway – expert lighting tips for a cozy welcome home
Experts reveal how to light a driveway, explaining the best ways to use path lights, wall lights, well lights and more, for a cozy, welcoming driveway
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Surprising uses for a leaf blower – 5 clever hacks for clearing snow, drying a car, and more
Leaf blowers have a bad reputation as a single-use tool that can only handle leaves. However, we found some surprising uses for a leaf blower that really work
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Are solar water fountains effective? 5 reasons why a solar water fountain could be the missing piece in your yard design
Solar fountains can be effective at keeping local wildlife healthy, but there are plenty of other benefits too. This is all you need to know
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Where to buy solar lights – a product tester reveals where to buy lights that look good and actually work
Figuring out where to buy solar lights can be tricky, as there's so many cheap, flimsy lights out there. Here are all the best store for buying solar lights
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Indoor pizza ovens vs outdoor pizza ovens – which should you buy?
If you're buying a pizza oven, it's smart to consider indoor pizza ovens vs outdoor pizza ovens. I've tested plenty of both - this all you need to know
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Are leaf vacuums ever worth it? This product tester isn't so sure
If you're wondering if leaf vacuums are worth it, I advise you to stay away. In the right circumstances they're invaluable - but they won't work for everyone
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Leaf vacuum vs leaf sweeper – which is best for your backyard?
It can be hard to pick between a leaf vacuum vs leaf sweeper. Leaf vacuums give you mulch, but a leaf sweeper is better for big lawns. This is all you need to know
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How to light a yard for winter – 5 elegant and practical methods from lighting experts
It's not obvious how to light a yard for winter. I spoke to lighting experts for 5 foolproof methods to light up your garden on the darkest winter night
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Why bother with a fire pit? 4 reasons fire pits are an essential for your yard
If you can start a bonfire in your backyard, why bother with a fire pit? I spoke to experts about how fire pits keep you safe – and on the right side of the law
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Fire pits vs fire tables – experts reveal which is best for your yard
I spoke to experts about fire pits vs fire tables to work out which is best for your yard. This is all you need to know about these popular heating solutions
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Are leaf blowers bad for the environment? 5 ways leaf blowers can harm garden habitats and how to avoid them
Leaf blowers can be very harmful to nature. I spoke to an environmental expert about the five ways leaf blowers can harm local plants and animals
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The best Labor Day deals from Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and more
Labor Day deals are already dropping, and there's huge discounts on some of our favorite tested products. These are the very best early Labor Day deals
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Can you cook on a fire pit? Chefs reveal 4 ways to cook more than s'mores
Chefs reveal if you can cook on a fire pit, and the 4 foolproof methods for backyard grilling. This is all you need to know about cooking on a fire pit
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Fire pits vs patio heaters – an expert designer reveals which is best for your space
With winter drawing in, it's smart to weigh up fire pits vs patio heaters. I spoke to the expert landscape designers to find out which is best
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How to restore a rusty fire pit – 4 simple steps from an artisan designer, and why you should never use vinegar
I asked fire pit experts how to restore a rusty fire pit, and they gave me four incredibly simple steps. This all you need to know to fix your fire pit
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Leaf blower vs rake – expert gardeners reveal if you should go hi-tech or stay old-school
As they're increasingly regulated, it's smart to consider the drawbacks of a leaf blower vs a rake. I asked expert gardeners which tool comes out on top
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Is it ever worth buying a robot lawn mower? 5 considerations from garden experts
Robot mowers claim to do it all for you, but that's not entirely true. I spoke to expert to find out it it's ever worth buying a robot mower.
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Standing mowers vs riding mowers – a mowing expert reveals which is best
Standing mowers vs riding mowers is a heated debate among landscapers. I spoke to a landscaping expert to find out if standing mowers really are the best
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How to make solar lights work in winter – 4 simple tips from electrical experts
It can be tricky to make solar lights work in winter. As a solar light tester, I spoke to electrical experts to find out how to make sure they shine all winter
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Why isn't my leaf blower working? 6 solutions to fix a gas leaf blower
It's incredibly frustrating when your leaf blower won't work – this is all you need to know to fix the six most common leaf blower problems
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When is it antisocial to use a leaf blower? Experts reveal leaf blower etiquette
Leaf blowers can can be incredibly disruptive. I spoke to an etiquette expert for all you need to know about leaf blower etiquette
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Wooden vs vinyl fences – which is best? Construction experts weigh in
There's a lot to consider when it comes to wooden vs vinyl fences. I spoke to construction and fecning experts about the pros and cons of each material
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Patio covers vs pergolas – which outdoor structure is best?
I spoke to a specialist about patio covers vs pergolas to find out which outdoor structure is best. While pergolas are sturdier, a patio cover is better value
