Yard Maintenance

Fixing a broken sprinkler head is a do-it-yourself project that will save you money, and possibly save some of your landscaping. Sprinkler heads can become damaged when the lawn is cut, or if the...

Using an ATV to remove snow is a necessary thing to do in areas where municipality plows cannot go or in areas around property where it would be unwise to drive a truck or plow through the show....

Landscaping rocks are available in a variety of styles and types. White marble rocks fit into most landscaping projects and they are easy to arrange around plants, pots and other outdoor...

Yucca is a hardy perennial plant native to dry climates in the southern United States but grown as an ornamental plant throughout the country. Also known as Adam's Needle, an established yucca...

The gray bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia nicholai), also called the white or giant bird-of-paradise, is a tropical herb with large, oar-like leaves that grow from a stalky, wood-like stem. Lacking...

Properly standing up a ladder before using it is one of the most important steps in safe home improvement. If a ladder is set up incorrectly, it can result in serious injury or even death. While...

Roundup, developed by Monsanto, is an herbicide that can kill a wide variety of weeds. Its active chemical ingredient is glyphosate, which is absorbed by all parts of the plant, including flower,...

Clay soils are difficult to cultivate in their natural state, as clay consists of small particles that bond when wet. Clay soil has the potential of being one of the most fertile soils, but it...

Angel Wing begonia (Corallina de lucerna) is primarily grown for its elegant foliage. Unlike many begonias, this particular variety needs plenty of bright but indirect light to thrive. The key to...

Water may seem like an infinite resource, but during the summer months the threat of drought can often severely limit its use. Use smart water conservation methods to reduce your family's water...

Broken or malfunctioning sprinkler heads are not uncommon in both home and commercial irrigation systems. Sprinkler heads get run over with lawn mowers, hit with digging equipment or broken off...

Over the winter months, the fuel in your lawnmower can become stale. Since it's not being fired up every week, it's a common occurrence. One of the byproducts of stale fuel is the deterioration of...

A zone valve is an irrigation valve. Irrigation controllers break your yard into zones or stations. Each area in your yard is controlled by a valve, which is electronically fired by the irrigation...

According to the Sierra Club Green Home, Americans send nearly 30 million tons of food waste to landfills each year. If this were composted, it would offset the production of methane in the...

Moving a sprinkler head to a different spot on your property may be necessary for a number of reasons. Whether it's because you are having drainage problems or you just want a change, moving a...

When you take the time to do proper lawn maintenance you not only help make your lawn look better but you also help prolong the life of your lawn by preventing grass and weeds from growing out of...

Wild canaries, also known as the American Goldfinch, are beautiful yellow and black birds. In the spring and summer they can be found throughout much of the United States. These birds are members...

Digging out tree stumps can be a long process, and an expensive one if you hire a landscaping professional to do the work for you. Luckily, digging out stumps on your own is easier than you might...

Your family and friends will marvel at your ability to use a pry bar to move a boulder. Using physics concepts and minimum physical exertion, you can roll an otherwise impossible-to-move boulder.

If some of your outdoor low voltage landscape lighting is not working, the most likely cause is a bad connection. Landscape lighting wire is buried under the ground and has splices. The ground is...

A common lawn problem for pet owners is damage from dog urine. Dog urine is high in nitrogen content and can lead to dead grass and yellow patches on your lawn. While nitrogen can be a nutrient...

Wooly croton is an invasive annual weed native to the warmer climates of North America. The plant grows from one to three feet in height and will overpower more productive rangeland grasses if...

Costelytra zealandica, the grass grub beetle, is endemic to New Zealand. (ref. 1) Eggs are laid during the summer and the larvae then feed on grass roots through the fall and winter. By October...

Assuming that you have verified the type of pest control company that you require (i.e. ants, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, termites or rodents, for example), you can choose a pest control company...

Sedge grass in your lawn, garden or flowerbeds is unattractive and difficult to kill. Sedge grass cannot be pulled out because it reproduces underground and will grow back. Oftentimes general...

Your sprinkler system has given you years of service. You love not having to use a water hose to keep you lawn looking green and fresh. The only problem is your sprinkler heads are being covered...

Shrubs can be difficult to remove and discard; they are durable, small plants, which are meant to weather and withstand difficult living conditions. It's also important not to damage other plants...

Lice are more difficult to get rid of than some people might think and their nits, the youngest, newly hatched lice, are the toughest of them, as they are built to survive. There is a wide variety...

Briggs & Stratton manufactures small gas-powered engines most commonly used on lawnmowers. The engine must be prepped to start by pressing a red primer bulb on the side of the engine below the...

Moth balls are small white balls used most frequently in containers where wool sweaters are stored to keep them from being eaten by moths. They are also used to keep rats away and other pests when...

With autumn well underway and winter looming, now is the best time to use your leaf blower to blow all your fallen leaves. Once you’ve developed your own leaf blowing technique, you can get rid of...

Having a well running irrigation system is key for the growth and beauty of your lawn and garden. If you have a problem with one of your sprinklers, however, it can cause plants and grass to die...

Watering your lawn or garden with a sprinkler is convenient and easy. You don't have to haul a water hose out and you don't have to get wet. Over time, your sprinklers' heads get clogged with dust...

A chainsaw is a very specialized tool. While many other power tools, such as power drills, are low-maintenance, a chainsaw requires very specific and regular care to remain effective. Along with...

Most people enjoy having some grass in their yard, but some have trouble controlling unwanted grass growth on sidewalks, driveways and patios. The grass-killing products in stores are expensive,...

Squirrels typically build their nests in the hollow portions of older trees. In areas where these trees are not prevalent, squirrels will sometimes try to make their homes in the attics and...

Landscaping can be a daunting task. However, the finished product can make all the work worthwhile. Making your yard look neat can make the weekly maintenance of a lawn much easier. One attractive...

It is very important that you change the oil in a Briggs & Stratton four-cycle engine to keep it running at peak performance. Regular oil changes will increase efficiency, reduce emissions...

Growing grass can be tricky business, especially in areas that get a lot of traffic and have to fight for sunlight. Grass can grow in shaded areas and can grow well but following a few tips will...

Ground bees, like yellow jackets, are usually aggressive and predatory. There are several steps a homeowner can take to safely remove ground bee nests. Proper lawn maintenance, pesticides and...

Carpenter bees are known for creating holes to lay eggs in wooden surfaces. Prevention is key to avoiding a carpenter bee problem. Once carpenter bees make holes in a home, there are several...

Fleas multiply extremely fast, and if you see a few on your pet, inside your house, and/or outside your home, then you will want to react quickly. The best way to get rid of fleas is to take...

Grubs are considered pests and harmful to lawns, eating roots of the grass and other plants and leading to the gestation of beetles, who will also destroy and eat the lawn. Killing or removing...

Speed Heads in weed whackers are designed to provide a constant supply of trimmer line to the user with a simple bump of the head on the ground. This save a lot of time when it comes to changing...

With unattended lawns, weeds will begin to take over the grass as they are the more dominant form of plant. As long as the soil has nutrients and is getting water and sunlight, weeds will thrive....

The mechanics of trimming grass and weeds is same for both electric and gas weed trimmers. However, the gas weed trimmer's two-stroke motor needs to be started manually much like a lawnmower...

Replacing Weed Wacker line can be a simple process if done properly. For the trimmer to work properly, you must purchase the correct line. Grass trimmer line comes in several weights, and you must...

The weeping willow is an elegant tree with thick fibrous bark and pale green to white colored leaves. This willow's branches bend toward the ground, cascading into a pond or stream if you have one...

There are a number of products available for deicing concrete driveways, but some chemical-based solutions contain toxins that are known to be harmful to the environment. Homemade deicers are...

A mailbox sees all sorts of weather throughout the year, from rain to sleet to snow, and everything in between. It all takes its toll on the metal used to hold up the mailbox, usually in the form...