Hot Home & Garden Posts

How To: Read a Lowe's plant care tag

This quick video tutorial from Lowe's will show you how to properly read a plant's care tag. Every Lowe's plant has its own Care Tag, and by reading the tag you will earn how to care for your individual plants. Each tag also comes with a number which you can type in at lowes.com/plants. Here you will find more detailed information about your plants. The tags also come in different colors, and these also have a meaning, for example purple tags represent plants that are good in low light condit...

How To: Drill a shank hole or clearance hole

Drywall screws were originally created specifically for drywall projects. But they have become increasing popular for woodworking projects because you can often screw them into a soft piece of wood without having to drill a pilot hole. But because they have threads all the way up to the head of the screw they will not pull two pieces of wood tightly together. So to get the drywall screw to hold two pieces of wood tightly together you have to drill a shank hole through the first piece of wood ...

How To: Identify the model number and ID tag on fridge freezer

Check out this instructional home repair video to learn how to identify and find your manufacturer's label and model number on your refrigerators and freezers. The model number is usually essential. People make the mistake of assuming that the name and number on the front panel is all you need. Many fridge and freezer manufacturers use the model number as well as the serial number. Most have the ID plate inside of the door by the salad bowl, while some hide it behind the kick plate at the bas...

How To: Wire automatic sprinkler valves

This video tutorial will show you how to wire automatic sprinkler valves for the health of your green grass lawn. Attach wire to the sprinkler valves and run it to the automatic sprinkler timer. That's it. You don't need to be an electrician or a plumber to accomplish this sprinkler step. Just get some wire strippers and do your own electrical work.

News: Gigantic Carpet of 750,000 Begonias (Assembled in Just 4 Hours!)

Every summer the city of Brussels assembles an enormous carpet of begonias, under the advisement of one hundred experienced gardeners. The project is planned far in advance, with illustrations and scale models based on a chosen theme (previously chosen have been the arms and shield of a town or commemoration of important events). This year's theme features Saint Michael striking down the dragon, the official protective image of the city, founded over 1,000 years ago.

How To: Use an engraving tool

In this tutorial, we learn how to use an engraving tool. It doesn't matter how old your engraving tool is, just make sure it has different speeds on it to help control it while in use. Now, place a piece of aluminum down and adjust your power level to the lowest level. Push down on the aluminum and write the word you want to so you can see how the pressure effects the aluminum. Now, set the tool at the highest setting and push down on a sledge hammer to see the pressure you need to push to ge...

How To: Use plexiglass to create a "fish tube" for your pond

In this video, learn how to create a brand new way to enjoy your pond. Using plexiglass, create a large, sealed tube that you will then place into your lake or pond. The tube will naturally fill with water and the fish will pop up and visit you inside their new glass window. This way, you will be able to enjoy your fishy friends all the time without falling into the pond water!

How To: Deal with spindly seedlings

The Survival Podcasting present how to handle leggy or spindly seedlings that have grown too fast. Potted swiss chard seedlings are used as examples. The seedlings are growing well but are a bit floppy or spindly. This happens because the warmth from being started indoors encouraged their fast growth but since there is not enough light for them, they started reaching for the light. A `head space` is developed between the root and the leaves that makes the seedling flop over. A simple trick to...

How To: Make a calla lily hand tied bridal bouquet

This tutorial by the Floral Design Institute demonstrates how to create a hand-tied Calla bridal bouquet. The key to creating this bouquet is to make sure your flowers are properly prepared. The flowers should be fully hydrated (in water for at least two hours). Take each flower and mold each stem to to reflect the natural curve of the flower. Lay them side by side so they are lined up in a parallel fashion. Give even pressure on the stem to prevent bends or kinks. Some stems may be straight ...

How To: Identify wire colors and do some basic home wiring

If you have never dealt with wire color-coding then Old64goat takes you through a very elementary tutorial that will give you the helpful aid needed to deal with common household wires. The first cord that is reviewed is the three pronged cord. The color wires contained within it is the green wire which is the ground prong, the white wire which is neutral, and the black wire which is the heat. Old64goat then demonstrates where the wires are connected to on the prong. He even gives out helpful...

How To: Remove the plunger rod when unclogging a sink

In this video you will see how to remove the plunger rod when unclogging a sink. To unclog a sink drain, remove the bent portion the drain and clear it out. Normally something or the other gets stuck inside it causing the clog. Also check out both ends of the other pipes. The plunger to your sink is attached by a little rod. Slide the little catch off the rod; remember which hole it is on so that you put it back correctly later on. Then take pliers and loosen the plastic nut gently and pull t...

How To: Install laminate flooring with the glueless method

This video shows you how to install laminate flooring using a glue-less method. You will need a tape measure, hand saw, and circular saw. You will also need spacers, a rubber mallet, tapping block and a pry bar. Make sure the sub-floor has been prepared. Remove all debris. A moisture barrier should go down first. Next use an under laminate or padding. Measure the room to determine which sizes you will need. For complete instructions you should visit findanyfloors.com.

How To: Remove bits and pieces of wallpaper

Here are instructions on removing wallpaper bits and pieces. You will need: a circular electric sander and a microfiber clothe. Simply place the microfiber clothe over the electric sander. Begin to move your way over and across the wall. Much as you would if you were painting; moving up and down and diagonally. Adjust the microfiber clothe as necessary - it may wiggle around as you glide across the wall. You will notice quite a dramatic difference after finishing. Doing this saves a lot of time.

How To: Tile a custom ceramic tile shower

Start by putting tile backer board tape on all the joints on the wall board and then put mortar over the backer board tape. Let the mortar dry and then you can begin the tile job. Install a ledger board at the base of the shower stall about one tile high. Draw some vertical and horizontal lines on the wall to help keep the tile going straight. Also use tile spacers to help keep the tile going straight. Mix up some thin set mortar. Put the thin set mortar on the wall. Apply it with the flat si...

How To: Hide screw holes with wood plugs

There are a number of ways to deal with screw holes that are visible. You can buy some wood buttons and put them in the holes. You put a little wood glue in the hole and then tap the wood buttons into the holes using a hammer. This is a decorative solution to cover up screw holes. If you want to completely cover up the holes completely put a plug cutter on your drill and cut a plug out of a piece of wood that matches the wood that the hole is in. Take the plug put a little glue on it and tap ...

How To: Wire a Type G electrical plug

The Type G plug is the standard plug in the United Kingdom, usually 230V and 50Hz, and is referred to as the BS1363 (British Standards 1363). It's most commonly referred to as the "13-amp plug" because it has a 13-amp fuse inside. The wires consist of a hot (or live) wire, neutral wire, and an earth (or ground) wire.

How To: Replace the wave guide cover in a Neff microwave

Watch to learn how to replace the wave guide cover in a Neff microwave. You'll remove and replace the waveguide cover on a Neff microwave. Microwave sparks, or arcing in the microwave, could be the result of a damaged waveguide cover. As part of this microwave maintenance video we explain that you can replace a broken glass turntable or a melted roller ring. There are also microwave cleaning tips included.

How To: Install a range hood wall vent

Range hoods are a necessity in any kitchen. A properly installed range hood will vent hot air and cooking odors outside as well as help keep kitchen surfaces free of grease. The trickiest part of installing a range hood is determining how to run the ventilation ducts. Depending on the location of your range, you will need to decide if it is easier to vent through an outside wall versus up through the roof. Use this tutorial if you determine that venting through an outside wall is the best route.

How To: Repot plants

Potted plants of all kinds, whether in the house, greenhouse or outside, need repotting eventually. There are several reasons, the most obvious being that they simply get larger and top-heavy. Most houseplants don't need repotting that often because, if we give them plenty of liquid fertilizer in the growing season, they won't be short of nutrients and should therefore be healthy.

How To: Make a Calla Lily boutonniere

In this flower arrangement tutorial, Jane from Afloral.com shows you the different calla lily stems available, as well as how to make a calla lily boutonniere or corsage. This boutonniere is a great accessory for the prom, a wedding or any other formal occassion. Watch this how to video and you will be creating your own Calla Lily boutonniere or corsage in no time at all.