Yard Maintenance

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Birds don't just make nests in trees--they will use porches or roofs as well. Not only will birds leave their droppings all over, they also are carriers of parasites such as worms and mites. It is...

The use of barley straw to keep ponds clean is a practice that dates back to the Middle Ages. Barley prevents the growth of algae that leaves the pond water murky and devoid of the nutrients that...

Tree roaches, also known as wood roaches, are seen throughout most of the United States and can easily be mistaken for cockroaches. These light to dark brown insects with oval bodies are attracted...

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...

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 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. ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

If you are in the habit of purchasing bags of new mulch every time your landscape begins to fade, you may want to consider investing in mulch dye to brighten it up. Mulch dyes are easy to apply...

Tinting water blue naturally decreases the amount of sunlight that enters your pond, creating optimal conditions, cooler water and enzymes that help balance your pond's ecosystem. Pond tint also...

An ecosystem is the interaction of plants, animals and small organisms in a certain environment. All three feed and procreate to keep the ecosystem alive. There are thousands of ecosystems of...

Aerating your lawn your is a fall task that will give you a richer, thicker lawn next season. Aeration loosens your soil and increases the volume of air in the soil. Roots grow more abundantly...

Fish ponds are a beautiful addition to any backyard and can provide a home for many aquatic plants and animals. Housing these species is an easy way to add a scenic element to your pond but doing...

Husky power washers are good tools to have around the house, and are also good for light commercial use. Like any other tool, parts wear out and need to be repaired or replaced. Sometimes, the...

Electric chain saws, unlike gasoline powered models, don't need oil for an oil/gas mix. However, they still do need oil for lubricating the chain. It's important to use special chain lubricant....

It's Spring, snow has melted, winter coats are put away, it's time to enjoy the outdoors and sitting on the deck again. First things first, the deck needs cleaning, save money by doing it...

Instead of hiring a landscaper to clear unwanted brush, next time, try tackling the job yourself. Clearing brush is great exercise, it can be much less expensive than hiring someone, and it can...

With today's market, you may not have time or money to fix up your house the way you'd like. If you're in a hurry to spruce up your house for sale, read on. These steps are prioritized with the...

Changing the oil in an International 666 Tractor helps save on wear and tear on the engine and can improve the tractor's performance. An engine's oil provides protection to the internal engine...

While unwanted creatures in the home are certainly a problem, not everyone is fond of the idea of using harsh chemicals as a solution. Some people prefer environmentally friendly ways to rid their...

Replacing the worn-out head of a weed trimmer is a simple process and is easier on your budget than buying a new weed trimmer.

This is an article designed to put the first time lawnmower owner at ease learning basic maintenance skills for small engines and mower decks. There are a few tools needed for basic maintenance...

Shoveling a driveway as quickly as possible is based on 3 factors: 1. Having the right kind of shovel. 2. Pushing the snow as much as possible as opposed to lifting and throwing it. 3. Doing it...