Backyard Superstar is written by two people who actually spend their weekends outside. Between them, Mitch and Leslie cover the whole backyard — from the grill and the tool shed to the garden beds and the string lights. Here’s who’s behind the advice.
Mitch Foster
Grilling, Backyard Projects, Tools & Lawn Care
Mitch writes the hands-on side of Backyard Superstar — grilling, DIY builds, tools, and lawn care. He’s the friend you call before buying a mower or firing up a new setup, mostly because he’s already made the mistakes so you don’t have to. Over the years he’s built fire pits and raised beds, seasoned more cast iron than he can count, killed a couple of grills by parking them in the wrong spot, and learned lawn care the slow way — one patchy season at a time.
His approach is simple: use a thing through a full season, then report back plainly. When Mitch recommends a grill or a string trimmer, it’s because he’s weighed the trade-offs himself and can tell you who it’s right for — and who should skip it. Expect real specifics, honest "here’s what went wrong," and zero fluff.
Leslie Graham
Gardening, Plant Care, Seasonal & Family Backyard
Leslie covers the greener, gentler side of the site — gardening, plant care, seasonal rhythms, and the family-friendly ideas that turn a yard into somewhere people actually want to be. She came to it the way a lot of gardeners do: by killing her first tray of tomato seedlings with too much love, then paying closer attention every season since.
She’s happiest with dirt under her nails — starting seeds on a windowsill, coaxing a shady corner into a container garden, figuring out what truly survives a real summer. Leslie writes for the beginner she used to be: she’ll use the botanical name and then explain it, mention your USDA zone because it matters, and never make you feel behind. Practical, warm, and genuinely rooting for your garden.