Hot Landscaping How-Tos
How To: Make sure you have a healthy lawn with aeration
When owning a lawn, you want to make sure that it's as healthy as it can be. You don't want to have the ugliest yard on the block do you. There are many methods to ensure that you're yard will stand out. One way of doing this is by aeration. This involves making holes in the lawn that will allow for growth and other benefits as well.
How To: Turn your brown grass green again without chemicals
Is your lawn looking a little grim lately? Well, no need to reach for toxic chemicals, check out this clip instead! In this tutorial, gardening specialist, Carl Grimm, shows you how to fix your lawn naturally and avoid all that yucky stuff that harms kids and pets. Follow along and go green (literally!) with your front yard for summer! Turn your brown grass green again without chemicals.
How To: Use a heat pump to help you save money and energy
Using a heat pump in your home, is a great way to be energy efficient and keep your home nice and comfortable. What it does it takes heat from your home during the summer and transfers it outside, and then during the winter months, takes heat from the outdoor air and puts in your home.
How To: Use storm water drainers to save money and your home
Having a great storm water drainer attached to your home is not only important for preventing any damage to your home, but can be used to save on utility costs. Without a drainer, water can seep under your home and potentially damage your foundation. But it's an easy problem to fix and will make you glad you did.
How To: Make a worm composting bin
In order to make a make worm compost, you will need the following: plastic containers, shredded newspaper, water, food scraps, and worms.
How To: Design a small water feature in your yard
Installing a water feature in your yard is a great way to boost the value of your home. It's also a great way to create a nice and relaxing environment for you and others to enjoy. So in this tutorial, if you're looking for half of the work needed to create a large water feature, you'll be finding out how to make a small one. So check it out, good luck, and enjoy!
How To: Install sturdy gates in your yard
A common mistake when installing a gate in a yard, is that they're usually not sturdy. And when talking about sturdy it involved the the hinges used for the gate. This is an easy task that anybody can do and there is really no excuse for not installing a sturdy gate. So in this tutorial, you'll find out what you need to do in order to have a sturdy gate in your yard. Enjoy!
How To: Build an outdoor fireplace in your yard
There's nothing like spending time outdoors with loved ones. Whether it's a hot summer evening or a coo, brisk spring morning, the outdoors can be a great place. You can enhance your experience with the outdoors, by building yourself something that everybody is sure to love: a fireplace. In this helpful tutorial, you'll be finding out how to build an outdoor fireplace in your yard for those cold winter nights. So good luck and enjoy!
How To: Check property lines before putting a fence up
You may have all the tools and people needed for putting up a fence, but something that should not be skipped is coding. Checking the coding and property lines to your place is important for making sure you don't cross into a place that you aren't supposed to be. This can result in bad blood forming and the removal of your hard work. So check out what you'll need to do in order to prevent that, in this tutorial. Enjoy!
How To: Easily set fenceposts in concrete
Whether you're using wood or metal posts, it's important to know how to properly keep fence posts in the proper place. I this next landscaping tutorial, you'll be finding out the importance of using concrete on your fenceposts and mailbox posts. Just a small bag of concrete, can do so much for an area of your yard. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Install an irrigation system in your backyard
Having an irrigation system installed in your back or front yard, can be an easy way to not only water your plants, but add investment to your home. Asking a professional can put you back thousands of dollars, so doing it yourself it a much better option. It will only take a few days to complete, the right tools, and some sweat and labor. So check out the tutorial above to find out what else it will take to have a great irrigation system in your yard. Enjoy!
How To: Build a water feature in your yard
Building a water feature in your yard can not only be relaxing for you and others, but possibly add value to your home as well. But this is no easy task. It can take days to complete, but can be done with the right tools and equipment. So in this next tutorial, you'll be finding out what you'll need in order to create your own water feature in your yard today. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Properly face your fence the right-way
When building a fence around your home, it's important to know how to build it and which way to face it. In this tutorial, you'll find out some helpful tips for properly facing your fence the right-way. Building it the wrong way can make it look bad and give off an ugly look to your yard. So good luck and enjoy!
How To: Landscape the entrance area to a business
When customers come to your place of business, you want them to feel welcome and comfortable. In this video tutorial, Dave of Growing Wisdom discusses design principles to keep in mind when you're redoing the entryway to your business. For more and better information, and to get started redoing the entrance to your own business establishment, watch this landscaper's guide.
How To: Use a cinch trap to get the gophers out of your garden
Gophers are one of the most common and annoying pests that plague gardeners across the country. This video features a gardening expert explaining how to use cinch traps to kill the gophers in your yard and allow your garden to flourish once again. Do what Bill Murray could not do in Caddyshack after watching this video.
How To: Use plexiglass to create a "fish tube" for your pond
In this video, learn how to create a brand new way to enjoy your pond. Using plexiglass, create a large, sealed tube that you will then place into your lake or pond. The tube will naturally fill with water and the fish will pop up and visit you inside their new glass window. This way, you will be able to enjoy your fishy friends all the time without falling into the pond water!
How To: Build a Fire Pit
There's nothing like spending time outside with friends and family members during chill winter nights. What makes those nights so great is usually a nice, warm fire. You can easily build one by gathering some stones together to make a pile or you can build one from scratch using material you can find at home improvement stores. These can last for many years and make it much more safer to use, especially when you have little ones hanging around the area. So check out this tutorial on how to bu...
How To: Build a backyard pond
If you're trying to find something to add to you backyard, why not try building a backyard pond? Ponds are great additions to add to your backyard and can keep a variety of different fish and plants. This tutorial will show you how to build a backyard pond from some items that are easy to get and use. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Lay pavers
If you own a home with a front and backyard, there are so many different possibilities when it comes to changing things around and adding features that are sure to boost the curb appeal of your home. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to lay paver on the ground connecting from your backyard to your front from the side of your home. It's beautiful to look at and is handy to have, so check it out and good luck!
How To: Mortar a firepit
There's nothing like spending a nice cool spring evening outside in front of a fire. Now, you can buy your own firepit or metal fire bowl so you and other can enjoy it outside easily, but those don't last very long. What does last for a long period of time is a firepit that you build from hand. This tutorial shows you how to build a mortar fire pit using essential tools and equipment. Enjoy!
How To: Lay a flagstone patio
There are many different ways in which you can change the look of your outside space. One of the best options is creating a patio area that you and others are sure to use. Cement is a common theme, but if you want something more Earthy, then try creating a flagstone patio. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Install an automatic fill valve
Having a beautiful waterfall in your outside area, is a great way to add a relaxing feature to your landscape. But a common problem with them is that during the long hot summer months, water tends to evaporate and this causes the water in waterfalls and ponds to dissapear. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how to install an automatic fill valve in your watering system today. So check it out and good luck!
How To: Install a clothesline
Using a clothesline instead of a dryer is a superb way to save money on your energy bills! In this video presented by Bunnings, learn how to install a clothesline and get your clothes dry and smelling fresh! Do the economically smart thing and begin using a clotheline instead of your dryer.
How To: Build a small rock retaining wall
Thinking about building a small retaining wall in your backyard? Retaining walls are a great way to prevent the advance of plants, dirt, or water in your backyard. In this video, learn the basics of building a retaining wall.
How To: Add colorful plants around a mailbox with Lowe's
Mailboxes don't have to look all lonesome, with only the curb to cheer them up. If you have one of those street boxes on a post instead of a house box, the best thing to do to make a happy mailbox is to give it some company. To improve your home's curbside appeal, take your landscaping efforts to the curb and enhance the area around the mailbox. It's a great way to accentuate your landscape.
How To: Install a retaining wall
Looking to do some work on your front or backyard? Installing a retaining wall is the easiest way to get a different look and make your landscaping look pro! In this video, learn everything you need to know about how to install a retaining wall.
How To: Stain your concrete driveway
Need to match your driveway to your new exterior home paint job? In this video, learn step-by-step how to stain and seal a concrete driveway. Listen up because this method can be used for any exterior concrete surface and can come in handy in the future!
How To: Install a star-drip irrigation system
A drip irrigation line is placed around the base of a tree in a ring. A section of the ring is cut open and made into a T shape with the addition of another piece of drip emmiter wire going from the ring outwards. The next end of the additional wire is bound to the ground with a pin. An additional wire is placed at the irrigation ring and the opposing end bent,covered and also pinned outward from the ring. Holes are pierced into the plastic bedding of gravels on the ground to allow water to p...
How To: Fix a leak in your calgary waterfall
This video is an explanation of how to fix a leak in a backyard water feature with a pond and waterfall. If the waterfall is losing water and has to be refilled frequently, you can tell there is a leak somewhere. One place where a leak can happen is a place where the liner needs to be propped up with a rock so it won't flatten out and allow water to leak out. Another problem can occur when a rock is arranged so that water splashes over it. That problem can be fixed by rearranging the rocks to...
How To: Soften the look of a stone walkway with creeping thyme
Stone walks can look a bit intimidating. But by planting small plants you can make a stone walk both welcoming and beautiful. You want to plant something that is hardy and still attractive. You shouldn't plant on a heavily traveled area, but this technique is perfect for a lightly traveled path. When planting in between stones, dig a small hole for the plant and place it gently between the stones. As with all plantings, you will want to immediately water after you put the plant into the soil....
How To: Build a natural clear water pond in your backyard
Chad from California Waterscapes takes you through the steps of installing a backyard pond. He begins by marking the location for the pond and stream using spray paint on the ground and by laying out the necessary equipment: the skimmer box and the waterfall unit. After digging out the pond Chad uses a laser level to determine the water level and place the skimmer box at this level. After all debris has been removed from the pond the underlayment and liner is placed in the pond followed by ro...
How To: Install a pond skimmer
Install a pond skimmerThe most critical steps to installing a skimmer are the water level and attaching the liner to the face plate with a water tight seal. The pond should be rocked in. The skimmer needs to be level from front to back and side to side. That's critical. Optimum water level is approximately 3/4 inch down from the top of the steel face. Use the level (tool) to determine the water level on the face plate. It's important to have the weir door work effectively. Prepare the area fo...
How To: DIY prune a tree
In this how-to video, you will learn how to prune a tree yourself. You start by using the four D's. The four d's include removing things that are dead, damaged, deformed, and dysfunctional. If the branch is brown and crispy, you can remove it. Remove any stubs as this will affect the tree over time. Get close to the branch collar when cutting. Do not cut it near the base if the branch is bigger than an inch in diameter, as this may damage the tree. Do this instead by cutting an under cut and ...
How To: Excavate a pond and use hand tools
This video shows you how to excavate a pond using hand tools and a jackhammer.First of all, you must organize your digging in shelves. A pond should have some parts deeper than others. You start by leveling the pond at the part where it will be more shallow (thus creating the first shelf). Then go to a deeper part and level that out. In this way you create shelves with different elevations.Your tools for excavating are the spade, the flat shovel, the pick, the wheelbarrow and the jackhammer. ...
How To: Build a pot fountain
Nothing is more relaxing than the sound of moving water in the garden. Here's how to build a one-of-a-kind water feature in a weekend.
How To: Build a gravity retaining wall
This video shows us how to build a gravity wall with Allen Blocks. In order to do this, place blocks on top of the base course. You want to make sure that the bottom notch is tight against the front lip of the blocks underneath. Sliding them into place removes any present debris. Running bond is ideal; however, if that is not possible, offset them by a quarter of a block. After making sure the blocks are straight, fill the hollow blocks (and 12 inches behind them) with wall rock. Then smooth ...
How To: Fell and sned a tree
Woodland areas provide a personal forest where you can ramble about and relax. This video tutorial teaches you how to chop down a tree in your woodland area and what to do with trunk afterwards. First, you'll need to have the tools and proper safety equipment. Next, thin the trees to allow more light and encourage growth. Then use your chainsaw to cut a gap on the side of the tree that you want the trunk to fall. Finally, sned the tree by cutting off branches and reducing it to manageable 2 m...
How To: Build a waterfall using retaining wall block
The procedure was adopted to build a waterfall in Oregon Coast Garden Center, Wald-port. 1. A level pad was cut to arrange the first row of blocks
How To: Build a garden retaining wall
This video describes the easy process of building a garden retaining wall. First you will need to map out your area for your wall with strings and dig your trench for your stones. You will be filling the trench with gravel to hold your stones in place. Make sure to pack to gravel securely into the ground. You should have a leveling tool to ensure your base is very level. After you make sure that first level is secure and in place you will stack your next level of stone. Once the homeowner has...
How To: Build a retaining wall for your home
To create a retaining wall all you need to do is follow these simple steps. To begin you will need to get many interlocking wall blocks and either sand or concrete. The first step is to plot and measure the retaining wall's size and shape. Use your measurements to figure out the amount of retaining wall blocks that you will need. The second step is to mark off the spots in your yard that you would like the retaining wall to be. Then dig your trenches in these spots to level out the land and t...