Archimedes of Syracuse was an ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, and inventor whose principle of water displacement inspired the design of the World’s Coolest Rain Gauge®. He wrote about the discovery in his famous work On Floating Bodies — and more than 2,000 years later, here we are, still having fun watching things float in water.

Archimedes Backyard: Resources For The Modern Gardener

prairie grass meadow

Why Prairie Grasses Need Less Water Than Tradit...

Prairies stay green through drought for one simple reason: deep roots. Learn how prairie grasses survive dry weather, why lawns struggle, and what homeowners can do to build a healthier,...

Why Prairie Grasses Need Less Water Than Tradit...

Prairies stay green through drought for one simple reason: deep roots. Learn how prairie grasses survive dry weather, why lawns struggle, and what homeowners can do to build a healthier,...

bird in evergreen tree

The Best Garden for Birds Isn't Always the Neatest

A perfectly tidy garden may look beautiful, but birds often prefer something a little wilder. Discover why leaves, seed heads, brush piles, and layered plantings create healthier habitat and attract...

The Best Garden for Birds Isn't Always the Neatest

A perfectly tidy garden may look beautiful, but birds often prefer something a little wilder. Discover why leaves, seed heads, brush piles, and layered plantings create healthier habitat and attract...

watering a raised bed garden

Should You Water After Rain? Sometimes It's the...

Most gardeners put away the hose as soon as rain begins. Surprisingly, a light rainfall can create ideal conditions for deep watering by softening the soil and reducing runoff. In...

Should You Water After Rain? Sometimes It's the...

Most gardeners put away the hose as soon as rain begins. Surprisingly, a light rainfall can create ideal conditions for deep watering by softening the soil and reducing runoff. In...

backyard lawn surrounded by trees

How to Improve Lawn Soil Without Removing Your ...

You do not need to tear out your lawn to improve the soil underneath it. Aeration, compost topdressing, mulched leaves, proper watering, and overseeding can gradually build healthier soil, deeper...

How to Improve Lawn Soil Without Removing Your ...

You do not need to tear out your lawn to improve the soil underneath it. Aeration, compost topdressing, mulched leaves, proper watering, and overseeding can gradually build healthier soil, deeper...

butterfly drinking from puddle

How to Provide Water for Pollinators in Your Ga...

Most gardeners focus on providing nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, but water is just as important. Like all living creatures, pollinators need access to moisture for...

How to Provide Water for Pollinators in Your Ga...

Most gardeners focus on providing nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, but water is just as important. Like all living creatures, pollinators need access to moisture for...

humid day with roses

Why Humidity Matters for Garden Watering

Temperature gets most of the attention, but humidity often has just as much influence on how quickly your garden dries out. Learn how humidity affects evaporation, plant water use, and...

Why Humidity Matters for Garden Watering

Temperature gets most of the attention, but humidity often has just as much influence on how quickly your garden dries out. Learn how humidity affects evaporation, plant water use, and...