Yard Maintenance

Although mature oak trees need little care other than pruning dead limbs, young oak trees can benefit from the addition of nitrogen to promote growth. Liquid fertilizers, such as fish emulsion,...

Many lawns are aerated to improve lawn health and encourage new grass growth. Lawns that are frequently used can become pressed down and matted, and grass that grows thickly together can have...

The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is one of the most recognizable plants and symbols of the Tropics. A tall-growing palm, sometimes called a "tree", its smooth, slender trunk is topped by a...

The goal of all soil analysis is to ascertain the amount and quality of nutrients found in the soil. Knowing this information pertaining to the soil types in various regions allows scientists and...

Building a lawnmower ramp can be incredibly easy or more of a complicated construction project; it all depends where the ramp is leading to and what type of lawnmower the ramp is for. Most...

Troy-Bilt Tillers are dependable, easy to work with and provide a range of benefits. When one of these tillers begins running roughly or becomes hard to start, a dirty carburetor could be to...

Rye grasses are the long green blades that are seen on most healthy lawns of house and on many sports fields across the country. It is a grass native to North America and grows the best in wetter,...

The traditional German firewood stacking technique, which is also known as a holzhaufen, can hold a large amount of firewood in a small space. The technique is noted for its efficiency and...

Dethatching is vital to a healthy lawn. Ideally, your lawn should be dethatched every 2 years. A dethatching machine does not mow your lawn; rather, it uses vertical blades to cut through the...

With over 100 varieties available, there is some form of Kentucky bluegrass available to meet almost any requirement. Varieties have been developed for high traffic areas, shady areas and sunny...

Nut grass, also referred to nut sedge, is a weed capable of overrunning your lawn or garden. The yellow-green plant, noted for its grass-like, waxy blades, can produce nearly 1,500 seeds every...

A French drain is is used to remove excess water from low-lying areas that tend to get saturated. These types of drains consist of a trench that is dug and filled with gravel or stone and a top...

Thermometers measure temperature. An outdoor thermometer reads the temperature of the air. Basic thermometers function in much the same way and are read in the same way.

If you have house trained your puppy, chances are he is using your lawn for his bathroom area. Unfortunately, dog urine burns the lawn with an over-concentration of nitrogen. Over fertilization of...

Poison ivy releases urushiol oil, causing a severe rash to most everyone who touches or brushes up against it. For this reason, most people do not want it anywhere near their home or garden. ...

"The right tool for the right job" may be an old saying, but it still holds true for any homeowner who takes pride in a sharp, clean-looking yard. There are a number of tools necessary for lawn...

Poison ivy is one plant that everyone should try to avoid. Avoiding poison ivy isn't always easy since the highly allergenic plant doesn't have one consistent appearance, and can be easily...

Lay pine straw in your flower beds and around your trees for your landscaping needs. Protect the roots of your plants easily from extreme hot and cold temperatures, erosion and moisture loss. ...

When you improve your front yard you add curb appeal to your home, which adds significantly to the resale value. When it comes to re-doing your front yard there is much more to it than just buying...

We all enjoy how our yards look after we've spent the whole day grooming everything from the flowerbeds to the driveway, but what should you do with the grass that inevitably grows between cracks...

Fire ants are one of the most aggressive species of ants. They feed on plants and animals and are known for their harsh, multiple stings. Infestations can be treated with chemicals such as ant...

Rats are common pests that like to forage and nibble on vegetable gardens. To determine if you have a rat infestation, look for rat droppings, small tracks and bite marks on vegetables. This pest...

Both moles and gophers can be a tunneling menace to a lawn, but the similarity largely ends there. The two creatures vary widely, physically and in other ways.

Ah, fall--the weather is turning and the trees in your backyard are shedding their leaves in abundance. Try these tips to simplify leaf clean-up and removal:

Wet moss on pavement can create a safety hazard because it tends to be slippery. It can also be unsightly next to a well-kept lawn. Kill moss and keep it at bay to keep the sidewalk and driveway...

Ivy is a beautiful way to decorate your yard, house and garden. Unfortunately, it's one of those plants that tends to get out of control and can even begin to overpower and kill the rest of your...

Creeping Charlie is a fast-growing weed that sports beautiful purple flowers. In the past. many people allowed this weed to grow unchecked in their yards because it was so pleasant to the eye....

Although there are plenty of mole removal methods, not all of them are safe for your pets or children. Mole scissor traps are the most effective way to get rid of lawn moles and do not require...

Hanging a birdhouse and watching a family of birds move in for the summer can be a highly fulfilling experience. Simply tossing any wooden box out in your yard doesn't guarantee that a bird will...

Moles eat insects, earthworms and grubs, and are generally considered beneficial because they eat insects and grubs and aerate soil when they dig tunnels. But the tunnels can be annoying. Voles...

Before you call an expensive lawn service to come out and treat your lawn with a bunch of chemicals, try a simple and effective way to kill poison ivy with vinegar and a couple other household...

Having a sprinkler system for your lawn is perhaps the easiest way to water the grass. Unfortunately, sprinkler heads easily are damaged and might need to be replaced from time to time. Luckily,...

Ditch Witch is a generic brand of commercial underground construction equipment built by The Charles Machine Works, Inc., headquartered in Perry, Oklahoma. However, the term is commonly used to...

Rain Bird International manufactures many rotor sprinkler models for home use, and most can be adjusted manually to control both the spray distance and the arc. The Rainbird Rotor Adjustment Key...

Planting grass seed is an essential part to growing a new lawn. Grass seed can be very temperamental, so it is important to follow certain steps to ensure the growth of grass. One of the main...

Employ a neighborhood teenager as a favor the kid, his parents or because he genuinely is a hard worker and you genuinely need yard care. Expect to pay more than minimum wage to get the teenager...

White landscaping rock can make your yard look clean and crisp. As the years go by, though, white landscaping rock can turn black from mildew or green from algae. Most white landscaping rock is...

The U.S. Postal Service has certain guidelines for the placement of residential mailboxes. Regulations, including those that dictate the height of a mailbox, are put in place to make the job of...

Gardeners enjoy hanging bird feeders in landscaping areas where flowers and shrubs grow. Birds enjoy these areas because they offer protection from weather and predators. Unfortunately, one...

Ball moss can be quite the nuisance for people living in the southern part of the United States, as well as those as far south as Chile. This plant, which is not a true moss but rather a relative...

You can create loads of rich mulch from your excess leaves and yard debris with a homemade leaf mulcher. Modify a couple items you may already have in your garage into a mulch production center to...

Leaf clean up in fall can be a real pain in the back. Everyone knows how hard it is to rake up leaves and what that does to your body. Bagging mowers are much better but make a mess out of the...

Chinch bugs are small suckling bugs that feed on grasses in lawns, turning patches of lawn yellow or brown. The bugs thrive in the late, hot summer months of July and August. These bugs can...

Handheld string trimmers are gas or electric tools for grass and weed cutting that help edge and groom a landscape. Using a string trimmer, the operator can clear unsightly weeds from around fence...

Wow! You got up this morning and discovered some mounds in your yard ..the fire ants are here! How about a quick and simple way to chase them away. This is not organic, but you will see results...

Moles, while cute when out of the ground, wreak havoc on a backyard and garden, burrowing holes and creating divots in the yard, killing grass and other plants and eating things in a garden. They...

Many homeowners would love to have a yard that is lush, green and filled with nothing but their specific, selected grass. Unfortunately, weeds like clover, dandelions and the dreaded crabgrass...

Poison oak is infamous for the unpleasant itchy rash that can develop on the skin of those unfortunate enough to come in contact with the plant. It grows as a shrub in sunny wooded regions and as...

How frustrating would it be when spring arrives and you can’t cut the grass because your lawn tractor won’t start? Then you find out that your lawn mower or weed cutter won’t start because it has...

Creeping Charlie is a vine-like weed that can be found in yards and gardens. This weed grows back each year unless it is permanently removed from the area. In order to kill Creeping Charlie, it...