Yard Maintenance

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Leach fields, also known as drainfields, are the final filtering step offered by a home septic tank system. Essentially, leach fields consist of perforated pipe leading to large, gravel filled...

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...

According to the National States Department of Agriculture, Japanese knotweed is considered an invasive plant species that crowds out other plants. The plant's characteristics include heart-shaped...

While blackberries are delicious, blackberry bushes are the bane of many gardens and yards. They are deep rooted, hardy and notoriously difficult to eradicate when they are unwanted. To add...

Splitting wood does not depend on size or strength, but technique and determination. Leave your wedge and sledge to the side, unless you encounter some really tough pieces. Splitting your own...

Trees are living plants that eventually succumb to the inevitable: death. When a tree up in years dies, it takes significant effort to fell--requiring taking measurements, operating a chainsaw,...

To protect your child and pets, you should know which plants can be harmful and how to eliminate these poisonous plants from your yard. Some are considered weeds but do not look like weeds. Others...

Locating an underground cable fault through the expanse of a backyard can be challenging and time consuming without knowledge of location techniques and technology. Just remember that while there...

Live traps are relatively simple to make and are useful for a wide variety of small animals in addition to raccoons because, when they are triggered, they have a reliability of nearly 100%. Using...

If you have a small slope in your yard and you just don't know what to do with it, here is a more cost-friendly way of taking care of this problem than hiring a landscape contractor. With a few...

All grass has a layer of thatch that exists between the soil and the grass. Thatch is made up of dead grass stems and roots. Over time this thatch thickens and can lead to lawn problems. A thin...

Trying to rebuild a lawnmower engine without the original owner's manual can be difficult, however, there are things that can be done to help the process. Following the steps below can help a...

There are snowstorms and then there are snowstorms. Some refer to the most severe as blizzards. Here in the Northeast region of the U.S., they are called "Nor'easters". Each winter it...

Bamboo is a beautiful plant that many people love to have in their yards. It is also one of the hardest plants to get rid of, and also one that spreads the fastest. What you may think of as a...

Mother Nature doesn't always water the lawn on a regular basis. Human lawn intervention is required. But as chores and commitments pile up, watering the lawn tends to lose priority until it loses...

You return from vacation and find the patio looking dismal. The plants are overgrown and there’s mold on the pavers. Here’s how to clean up your outdoor living space after it’s been neglected.

Using a chainsaw requires careful skill and an understanding of safety precautions. Chainsaws are extremely handy and can turn a job that might take you hours to do into a job that you can do in...

Mesquite trees can grow into gorgeous, shady havens--or become a thorny mess in the middle of the yard. The key to keeping a fine mesquite tree is frequent and regular pruning before any of its...

The majestic maple tree comes in a variety of types, sizes and shapes. Maple trees common to the United States are the red, sugar, Japanese, Norway, silver and paperback maples. If you are lucky...

Deer are beautiful animals, but they can also do a great deal of damage to your garden as well as spread disease through deer tics. To protect your garden and your and family, here are some steps...

A chain saw can be a lifesaver when there is work to be done around the yard. These essential tools can quickly cut through lumber, landscaping and tree branches. While a sharp chain saw can...

In these days of severe storms that knock down branches and trees it can be handy to have your own chain saw to clean up the debris. An electric saw is lighter than a gas saw and doesn't cost that...

Long ago, diatoms were hard-shelled algae that lived in both fresh water and salt water. Their remains form the rock, diatomite, which is soft and crumbles easily. When you grind it into...

If you have trouble finding time to irrigate properly, and your water source is an inconvenient distance away, consider establishing a remote water system. It will require a few hours to install...

Lawn damage can occur even in the healthiest looking yards. Insects, rodents, drought and unwanted plant life can all cause grass to die, leaving room for more weeds to take over. Repairing lawn...

Sometimes an existing lawn is beyond repair, and putting in a new one is the only option. Lawns overrun by a variety of weeds, with poor and uneven soil can be more work to repair than simply...