Yard Maintenance

Just because it is cold out is no reason to use your chainsaw. In many parts of the world winter and early spring when all the underbrush is covered with snow is the best time to get firewood in....

Brushcutters and string trimmers, also called weed eaters, are the same machine. They use the same engine and hardware except down at the business, cutting end, the brush cutter uses a 9-inch saw...

The Massey Ferguson (MF) 135 was an agricultural type tractor that is no longer in production. During its time this widely popular tractor was used as the workhorse for the small family farm. It...

Sprinkler valves are an essential part of any automated irrigation system. They provide control of water pressure to any given watering zone in the system from an electronic control unit that can...

A good snow thrower puts an end to straining your back with a shovel. The machine also significantly cuts the amount of time needed to remove snow from your driveway and sidewalks. The best snow...

The primer bulb on a Briggs & Stratton engine is what supplies the mower carburetor with fuel. If the primer bulb is damaged, deteriorated or faulty, it will not supply the lawn mower with the...

American elm trees are often victims of Dutch Elm Disease, a tree infection carried by the elm bark beetle that has significantly reduced the population of American elms since the 1930s and...

Organic soil is soil that has not been altered, affected by or exposed to toxic chemical fertilizers, noxious pesticides or poisonous herbicides. The organic method of gardening requires the use...

An unsecured yard gate can pose problems for your yard--children can push through the gate and leave the safety of your yard, wind can pull the gate off its hinges and cause damage to your fence,...

A lawn might appear like a safe place to allow your dog to romp around, yet in some cases, a lawn treated with some types of fertilizers may turn out being potentially dangerous. Learn how to...

Laser levels have revolutionized the way readings are taken on construction jobs and do-it-yourself at-home projects. This is because laser light provides for an infallibly straight beam. The only...

Erosion steals a homeowners' yard, as well as part of the home's value. By implementing erosion control steps at your home, you can keep the yard you have, beautify it, and raise your home's value.

Coastal erosion, also called beach evolution, consists of the wearing away of land or beach by wave action, wave currents, tidal currents or drainage. Erosion may cause permanent loss of sediment...

Ramps are expensive accessories for loading your lawnmower into pickups and trailers. A much more affordable option is to make your own ramp. You would think setting two boards up on the tailgate...

Burdock, also known by the scientific name Arctium minus, is an ecologically invasive plant found along roadsides and in disturbed ground throughout the northern United States. A biennial, the...

Decorative landscaping often incorporates the use of landscape gravel. Easily adding texture and color to garden surrounds, the prime value is in not having to replace it annually. A homeowner...

If you hate looking at a dead, brown yard during the winter months, or if you have a beautiful lawn with one dead patch ruining your view, consider painting the grass green to restore color to...

The dreaded dilemma of a dead or wind-toppled tree in the yard or driveway can cause anxiety. Hiring a professional adept at the safe and timely removal of a tree at a reasonable price is your...

A three-point hitch is the style of linkage used on large farm tractors to attach equipment to the back end. As the name signifies, the hitch attaches to the tractor at three points: the top...

Channel drains are made of metal and plastic and serve as ideal drainage systems for driveways, pool decks, patios or any other outdoor area. They provide an ecological and simple alternative to...

Pine needles are seemingly the bane of any homeowner with pine trees in their yard. The acid in the needles can kill grass and plants; and they easily embed themselves in a rock garden or yard,...

When people think of a push mower today, many envision a self-propelled walk-behind powered by a Honda engine with a rear grass bag. But before the invention of the power mower in the mid-1950s,...

Centipede grass is a lawn grass that is typically found in subtropical coastal regions. It is sometimes called "Lazy Man's Grass" as it is well known for its ability to tolerate a certain amount...

Growing grapes is a vastly rewarding experience for many gardeners. Like many other garden plants, it requires weeding, fertilizing and general care, but most importantly, grapes need pruning....

Air and water hoses left lying about are unsightly, dangerous and can be severely damaged by exposure to the sun. Hoses should be stored on a reel to prolong their life and prevent accidents.There...

Keeping your yard drainage channels clean and free of debris maintains a healthy water flow in your watershed, and helps keep water away from your home and outbuildings in times of heavy rains....

Slime mold gets its name because it often looks gooey and slimy. Slime mold comes in many different shapes and colors, including yellow. Slime mold most often is found outside because it feeds on...

Black mulch continues to rise in popularity over other colors, giving flowerbeds a professionally landscaped look. Comprised of fir bark, it is partially decomposed and colored, bearing the...

Mosquito fish are hardy fish that range from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long. In the United States, they are used to cut down the population of mosquitoes in an area: They can eat up to 500 mosquito...

When winter comes, the grass turns brown, dull and uninviting. Planting winter grass takes a little work, but is worth it, as it will leave your lawn looking green. The best time to plant winter...

Many homeowners have compost piles and use all-natural items to make their gardens healthy. Adding fish waste to your lawn and garden may seem odd at first but fish waste makes a wonderful organic...

Many homeowners spend countless summer hours taking care of their lawns, mowing, raking and fertilizing to ensure that theirs gardens remain lush and beautiful. However, even when you give your...

Roundup is a trademarked name for a line of glyphosate selective herbicides manufactured by the Monsanto Corporation. This product is often used by both homeowners and farmers to kill weeds while...

Pine trees are some of the most majestic type of tree that exists. Their tall trunks and beautiful branches make them loved all over the world. The pine needles, however, are not nearly so loved....

Mold grows in areas of lawns that receive too much water and not enough sunshine. The first step in repairing a lawn with moss is removing it. The second is to keep the mold from coming back. You...

Roundup, or Glyphosate, is a herbicide used by a wide range of consumers and professionals alike. The availability of the product and typically good results have combined to make Roundup a...

St. Augustine grass is a very popular grass used in more tropical areas. It is the most used grass in states like Florida. It grows well in most types of soil and does well in high salt areas as...

Slime mold gets its name from its often slimy and gooey appearance; certain strains are so disgusting that they are referred to as "dog-vomit slime mold.'' Unlike most molds, slime mold can travel...

The dwarf Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica cultivars) is admired for its soft-textured form, smaller mature habit and needled foliage that turns purplish bronze in winter's cold. Although a...

The addition of a pressure tank to an irrigation system will help solve many problems. The tank will help to stop short cycling of the pump, erratic pressure changes, and low flow problems. The...

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...