Home & Garden: Page 104

Azaleas are relatively care free. To ensure they look their best they require adequate moisture. Make sure the roots in particular get plenty of water especially during the first year or so. Mulch is important, two or three inches of horticultural mulch like straw or pine bark will help protect their roots, which grow close to the top of the soil. They don't need to be pruned. If you want to shape or remove dead wood, wait until after they bloom. By doing it at this time the dead wood is easily...

Cactus can do very well in containers if attention is paid to several things. One, use terracotta, it breathes well. Also, make sure there is a hole in the bottom because the soil shouldn't be sitting in water. And importantly use a Cactus soil mix, a mix that has a lot of sand, a lot of perlite. Although most plants don't thrive in mixes with a lot of sand, because it dries too fast, Cactus requires this condition. In fact, over watering is the number one way to kill a Cactus. To place the...

We next try some staking, because this garden has tall plants. Tall plants add verticality to the garden, but they only stay tall until a thunderstorm hits. They need staking if for no other reason to keep them out of the mud. Dahlias definitely need staking because their flowers are enormous and bend easily. Plan for this ahead of time. For staking there are lots of possibilities. You can use bamboo and string or you could use multi-purpose stakes. This metal stake is ideal for a single stem...

To keep your young tree healthy through the winter there are several maintenance tips to keep in mind. You need to protect them from mice and voles gnawing around the base of the tree because they can easily girdle the bark and cause a tree to die. A simple way to prevent this is to use a plastic wrap. Simply put it around the base of the tree about an inch or so below the soil line and wrap it around the tree all the way up. This will prevent the little mice teeth from gnawing on the bark....

Chopping up downed trees and sending them to the landfill isn't ideal. It's better to use them as firewood or have them chipped up and use them as mulch material or for a walkway. Never combine woodchips with the soil because they rob the soil of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium but they're great walkway material and will gradually break down providing nutrients for the soil.

Hydrangea is a garden favorite. It has lovely blooms and can become a good sized plant. Many ask when should it be pruned or cut back. A good rule of thumb is to understand that Hydrangeas bloom on old wood. As soon as the flowers are spent, as soon as they start to turn brown it is a good idea to prune. This allows a maximum time for the branch to grow, set new wood which will then turn into old wood and produce more flowers.

Oscar-winner Sally Field and Martha Stewart create a beautiful tiered garden.

Lars shares some tips about using an orange guard non-toxic bug killer. These helpful and easy-to-understand tips will help to keep pests out of your garden. Watch video for best results.

The addition of plants can add warmth and beauty to any room in the home. Unfortunately, not all of us were born with a green thumb. This video shows you how to plant and care for one of the most beautiful and low-maintenance members of the plant family, the little bamboo. Supplies Needed to Plant Bamboo are a vase or plant pot without a hole in the bottom, river rocks, wire ties, room temperature water and 6 to 8 sticks of bamboo that are approximately 4 to 8 inches in length. To maintain...

Bonsai trees have a great history to them. Although most people think a bonsai tree is a specific type of tree, in all reality, the word "bonsai" quite literally means "tree in a pot. To plant a bonsai tree from seeds, you will need: bonsai tree seeds, a peat pellet, paper towels, a sealable plastic bag, small pellet tray, a bonsai pot, bonsai soil, a larger tray and water. The seeds need to germinate before potting the seeds. This process generally takes nine days.

In this series of gardening videos, our expert on plant propagation tells you how to grow new house plants from tip cuttings of existing ones. She demonstrates how to take your trimming in order to get the best results, then explains in detail how to prepare the soil for maximum growth with nutrients and hormones. Learn what tools you need and what type of plants will react best to this type of propagation. And you will have a full and healthy house full of plants in no time at all!

In this DIY project on video, learn how to paint the roof eaves and fascia of your home. Our expert will show you everything you need to know to get the job done. Get tips on preparing the eaves with a pressure washer, scraping off old paint, caulking, spackle, priming, and more. Learn the proper paint mixing techniques to get an even, professional result. Watch these videos carefully, and turn a potentially disastrous endeavor, both for you and your home, into a simple painting project. When...

Learn how to make a patio using concrete pavers; includes details on site preparation as well as cutting pavers and installing edging.

In these video clips you'll learn everything you need to know about using a hand-held power planer.

This series shows you how to plant and grow Mexican heather and of course, take care of it once you're done!

In this organization tips video clip series, our expert will demonstrate the essential steps necessary for beginning to organize your home. Assessing the situation, cleaning, ordering and discarding or consolidating products and belongings are all a big part of the organizational process, and you will see demonstrations of these techniques for the front entryway, living room, home office and kitchen. Also get some extensive tips on how to organize your closets. Use these video guidelines to get...

So whether you're a beginning builder with a little know-how, or you happen to be an experienced craftsman itching to do another project, watch these basic carpentry videos and learn how to build table from scratch. Learn what tools and materials you need, how to take measurements properly, how to use shop tools to cut the wood, how to attach an apron to the table top, how to create leg braces, how to put it all together, and finally, how to sand the table.

This video series shows you how to install new bathroom light fixtures, how to repaint properly, install a new fan grill and change shelf paper. This is a great and inexpensive way to update your bathroom.

In this series of expert videos, you will learn more about lawnmower maintenance. You will learn how to start your lawn mower as well as clean it and keep it free of dirt, rust, and grass clippings. Get tips on changing the oil and air filter on your lawnmower. Learn how to mix two-stroke fuel for your mower. Watch as our expert removes gas, foam filters, and dirty spark plugs from a lawnmower. When changing the blades of your lawnmower, use precautionary measures demonstrated in these videos....

In this video series you'll learn how to use a brad nailer from expert Jon Olson. He demonstrates how to lubricate, prepare and load the nail gun, how to deal with a jam, how to set the nail depth and pressure, and basic tool safety. He also shows you how to identify the different parts of the finishing nailer, and how to perform daily maintenance and more.

In this series of video clips, you'll learn tips and techniques for using various types of metal shears, including how to use hand-held and foot-operated types of metal shears, and how to use a metal press and metal hole punch. Expert Jon Olson offers advice on cutting procedures, the proper clothing and precautions, and advice on maintaining and cleaning metal shears. Jon also covers the electrical requirements for operating an electric shear, the various points of danger when operating the...

In this power tool video series, learn how a fixed base power router works. Our expert will demonstrate how to properly use this woodworking tool, including general shop and tool safety tips, what you need to know before making a cut, installing and removing the bit, setting cut depth, and determining the direction of feed for the router.

A chop (or miter) saw is a power tool used to make accurate cross cuts in wood, plastic, and light metals. It has a fixed blade, attached to a moving arm, that spins over a small worktable. The operator lines up the piece to be cut and drops the saw blade, allowing for quick, easy work. Watch this instructional video series, and decide if the chop saw is a tool you'd like to introduce into your workshop. Lessons include general safety tips, uses for the chop saw, replacing the cutting saw...

Learn how to tile over a concrete patio; watch a video demonstrating conversion of a dreary concrete slab into a beautiful tile patio.

Learn how to build and install a kitchen island from ready-made cabinets; watch a video that demonstrates construction and assembly tips.

This series will focus on the basics of drawing landscapes. Our expert Neha Ahuja shows you how to draw a landscape in these free video art lessons, including what sorts of art supplies you'll need to make your drawings, where to find examples of landscape drawing, and how to identify the distinguishing characteristics and details that define landscape drawing.

Jim Koch has worked as a repo man and a locksmith. He gives you an insider's perspective on how to theft-proof your home by setting up surveillance systems and engraving your possessions. He also explains the basic workings of several kinds of locks and how to pick them. So next time you like lose your keys, you'll know exactly how to get in. And how to keep Big and his friends out.

In this do it yourself video guide to refinishing and restoring wood furniture, learn tips and techniques for how to refinish your old, well-loved wood furniture, including everything from wood stain removal to applying a fresh, new furniture stain. Our expert, Jennifer Ware, will walk you through a refinishing project step by step, with safety tips before you begin, what types of sanders you'll want to use, and how to choose and apply the right stain for your piece of wood furniture.

In this video clip series, our expert will demonstrate the basic knowledge you need before adding an outlet in your home. Which tools you will need, how and where to drill, safety instructions and box installation instructions are included. Additionally, you will learn how to strip a wire and test for connectivity.

In this video series, learn how to fix a broken piece of furniture you may have kept for years. Our expert will guide you step-by-step through a wood chair repair. Learn how to remove broken spindles and replace them with wooden dowels. Tips include using an epoxy glue, drilling the holes out, positioning the clamps, and more.

In this video series, our expert Terry Leafty will teach you about safety equipment including hoods, body protection, sleeves, and welding hats before showing you the different types of welders.

In this series of diy metalworking videos, our sheet metal expert will show you how to use a pneumatic nibbler to punch small holes in metal. A nibbler allows you create a hole in the middle of a sheet without having to cut up to that hole.

In this clothing care video series, learn how to iron and press a dress shirt, so that you never find yourself in this scenario and potentially ruin your chances at career advancement. Our expert will show you how to use and ironing board, how to fill the iron with water, starching tips, how to iron under buttons, how to press sleeves and cuffs, and more tips to make ironing a snap. Show the world how much pride you take in your appearance by learning how to press a dress shirt.

The goal: a way to wrap up cords (headphones, power, etc.) without ties or velcro straps that's fast, doesn't come undone, and is quick to undo.

A useful tip from Ace Hardware. Learn how to remove a stuck screw without damaging a surface. This will help keep from stripping the screw and making your job tougher.

A useful tip from Ace Hardware. Learn how to use a hacksaw to remove a damaged screw with a stripped head without damaging a surface.

Ace Hardware shows you how to build a picnic table using simple tools and lumber.

Learn step-by-step how to replace a split circuit electrical outlet including safety tips and what to watch for to make sure an outlet is installed correctly.

An interactive video tutorial from Ace Hardware. Learn how to adust the faucet lift rod on a sink.

Learn how to use a combination square tool for making measurements and drawing angles. The combination square can also be used for leveling and in plumbing.