“Nothing runs like a Deere,” says John Deere’s slogan. And for years, Consumer Reports’ rigorous tests and brand-repair surveys have consistently borne that out for the company’s lawn tractors, which have been tops in CR’s performance Ratings and reviews and in our annual reliability surveys. That’s why we were especially surprised by three recent recalls of Deere tractors announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in just three days.

The sight of bedbugs is enough to cause minor panic attacks among some people. But a new study shows that some are also getting physically ill from exterminating the tiny blood-sucking pests.

Fallen tree limbs and heavy snows have left many homeowners with gap-toothed fences and the job of repairing, replacing or repainting part or all of the structure. Fortunately, our tests show that doing the job right—including using the right paint or stain—can help you better weather the next storm.

Last weekend’s East Coast blizzard cost retailers an estimated $1 billion in lost sales—but we’ve noticed some merchants are trying to rebound and keep registers ringing into the New Year by offering deals on winter essentials like snow blowers,...

Your Christmas tree can take on many different shades of green once it's done adorning your home. Instead of kicking it to the curb to get picked up by your local sanitation crew, put it in your yard to...

Honda has recalled 18,500 snowblowers after receiving over 90 reports of fuel leaks. The machines are a fire hazard, according to the recall notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, although no fires or injuries have been reported.The CPSC...

This weekend's airport-crippling East Coast blizzard also prompted a blizzard of broken snow blowers—and frenzied calls to power-equipment dealers for help. "At 6 a.m. we already had a dozen people lined up outside with their snow blowers, most of...

With the weeds dormant and the mower put away, winter's the time to enjoy your yard without the work. Just hang a bird feeder from a limb or pole and the fun will come to you. That is until...

As temperatures in the South go south the chilly reality of prepping your home for winter has set in. Temperatures in the Southeast are running 15 to 20 degrees below normal, and forecasters predict a particularly cold winter there,...

Getting ready for winter requires a lot of outdoor tasks such as clearing leaves from your property and gutters, putting away your grill and testing your snowblower. There are things you should do in and around the house as...

Leaf blower rage has been a local issue, with individual towns and communities banning the noisy power equipment. But it reaches a national reader with Tad Friend’s article “Blowback: The Great Suburban Leaf War” in the October 25 issue...

Tony Coral Gables, Florida wants to tone down the noise of gas-powered leaf blowers. In proposing the ban, it joins municipalities across the nation in regulating leaf blower noise. To keep buyers from running afoul of such laws, Consumer...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken the first step toward what people on both sides of the issue expect to be the full approval of E15 gas, a gasoline mixture with up to 15 percent ethanol. But while...

A problem I’ve been having with my gas-powered leaf blower apparently isn’t mine alone—and from my recent experience comes advice that could help owners of any handheld outdoor power equipment.   I tend to use my two-cycle blower often....

Retailers relish holiday weekends and we noticed that over this long weekend many are rolling down prices on some of our top-rated appliances, home and yard equipment, and other gear. To help you out, we took a look at...