Hot Home & Garden Posts
How To: Set the defrost timer on a True Freezer
True's Owner Maintenance Video Series shows us how to set the defrost time clock on a True freezer, and also how to cut the shipping band on the compressors of all larger freezers. The time clock is behind the grill at the base of the unit, behind a gray box. There are instructions in the inside of the lid for setting the time clock and for setting the defrost settings, and the video goes through the entire process, as well. Next, the man shows how to remove the shipping band protecting the c...
How To: Plant peas in your vegetable garden
There is nothing like fresh vegetables from the garden. Dave Epstein shows us the secrets to planting peas.
How To: Plant bulbs
Scott from Spring Hill Nursery with Step by Step Gardening talks about planting fall bulbs. Planting bulbs is very easy. You just need a shovel, good soil, and lots of water. The bulbs he plants are tulips bulbs, lily bulbs, glad corms, and iris rhizomes. All of these must be planted in the fall to bloom in the spring. It's easiest to dig one big hole - about 6-8" deep - and plant all of your bulbs at once. A random pattern yields a natural look. Once you've placed your bulbs, put about 2"-3"...
How To: Process southwestern desert plants for eating
In this video, Ruth Greenhouse teaches us how to process native plants for eating. The Mesquite desert plant is a great fuel as well as good for beans in the summer months. One way to use the beans is to pick the dry beans when they are ripe (they will be tan) and you can grind the pod into a fine powder, which will make a flour that is healthy. You can mix this flour with water and it can be a healthy beverage. It can also be added to cookies and breads to make them sweeter. Another plant is...
How To: Build a garden bench out of cinder blocks
This video shows us how to build a garden bench out of cinder blocks. Before you get started, you need to refer to the How To sheet #320 for all your materials and make sure you have everything you need.
How To: Make a repurposed lamp out of old materials
Perpetualplum demonstrates how to make a repurposed lamp out of old materials. First, you will need a candlestick and light fixture parts like sockets, extender rods, washers and cords. You can also find materials around your house to use as the lamp base like coasters, ashtrays or tiles. Stack the repurposed pieces together until you find a shape that is pleasing. Beads also can add decorative accents to the lamp. Be sure to align the socket with the socket cover. Twist the leads together be...
How To: Make ground-plantable paper pots for seedlings
This video demonstrates how to fold a newspaper seedling container using a simple origami method. This is a free idea that incorporates recycling. Not only do these paper containers stand up well to moisture, they also will break down in the soil if you place it directly into your garden. Begin by using one half sheet of black and white newspaper. Lay it out length wise and fold it in half from top to bottom. Then fold it left to right. Next turn the paper so it is horizontal with the open si...
How To: Make a hanging basket for your flowers
This video shows you how to make a hanging basket. The first step is choosing a basket. The maker of this video decides to go with a wire basket with a coconut liner. With the daily watering and the soil and the plant itself, the basket will weigh a lot so make sure that your hook is well established. The best recipe for choosing hanging plants is to select an upright plant, a filler plant and a trailer. When choosing plants make sure they are compatible with each other. The next step is to p...
How To: Plant garlic in your garden for a plentiful harvest
David Epstein provides tips and shows garlic lovers how to plant garlic in their very own garden. It is best to grow garlic in the fall season from the months of September to November when the temperatures are cooler. Some people grow garlic in the spring, but it’s been found that growing garlic in the fall time will give a better crop. To begin, gather some plantable garlic bulbs making sure that you find ones that are either organic or from a seed catalog. At all cost, avoid conventional ...
How To: Install a porcelain tile backsplash in your kitchen
This video tutorial outlines a number of quick and easy tips for installing a porcelain tile backsplash in your home kitchen, from checking the substrate (that is, the surface to be tiled) to the application of the tile itself. For a complete, step-by-step overview of the DIY process, watch this free video guide.
How To: Make a eurpoean hand tied bouquet
This is a demonstration of making a hand tied bouquet.Keep all the required articles nearby on the table.Take a few stems of lemon grass and bind them with a wire to form a single bunch.Tie the aspedestra leaves in a loop with wrapping a wire to the stem.Now take the stems with single flower like movie star roses or carnations or iris or tulips pluck or cut the loose petals.Now hold one of the stems loosely in the left hand,now with the right hand place the second stem so that the flower is o...
How To: Fix your own garbage disposal
Has your broken garbage disposal got you down in the dumps? Be your own repair man with this free handyman's guide, which will help you troubleshoot and repair a broken garbage disposal. For more information, and to get started diagnosing and fixing your own broken disposal, watch this handy how-to.
How To: Prepare soil for planting irises
Southwest Yard and Garden shows viewers how to prepare the soil in order to plant Irises. You can see if your oil needs to be prepared because it would look like it need nutrients. Irises deplete the oil they are in so you need to restore their nutrients to the soil. First, you should get your soil tested to see what nutrient should be added to the soil. First loosen the soil. Next, add in the nutrients. Start with alfalfa pellets to add Nitrogen. Add a little bit of sand to loosen soil - don...
How To: Grow soilless weatgrass
The video takes you through steps on how to grow wheatgrass without the hassle of using soil. Before using this method, prepare a batch of sprouted wheatgrass. It’s advised that you should let the seeds sprout in a jar for two to three days for best results. When the wheatgrass is ready, place two or three layers of paper napkins on a large, flat try. Moisten the paper towels but don’t over-flood it. Then take your jar of wheatgrass and evenly spread the seeds on top of the paper towels. ...
How To: Get candle wax out of your carpet
Want to remove dried wax from a carpet? You'll need four items: a white towel, a regular electric iron, a carpet cleaning solution and a hot-water extraction machine. For a complete, step-by-step demonstration of how to remove pesky paraffin wax stains from your own carpet, watch this free housekeeping video tutorial.
How To: Make homemade liquid laundry detergent
In order to make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent, you will need the following materials: A dutch oven or a large pot, a grater, a spoon, ¬O cup of Borax, ¬O cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, a bowl, a measuring cup, 3-5 gallon cleaning bucket, empty plastic detergent bottles, and Fels-Naptha soap or Ivory bar soap (grated).
How To: Tile a bathroom floor
If you want to change the look of a bathroom, giving yourself a brand new tile floor is a quick and fun way to go about it. It's also easy — that is, provided you can assemble all the necessary tools and materials: You'll need grout, cement board, cement board screws and tile as well as a wet tile saw, a mastic trowl, a grout trowl, a tape measurer, spacers, a hammer, a matte knife, a jigsaw, a cordless drill, a tile scraper, a bucket and a mixer. For complete, step-by-step instructions on re...
How To: Install a door and sidelights
So you'd like to know how to install a door with sidelights, would you? Well, you're in luck. This handy handyman's guide will show you precisely what you'll need to know to get the job done (and well at that). For more information, including a step-by-step breakdown of the project, watch this free video home DIY tutorial.
How To: Upholster a cushion
Let's face facts: Upholstering a cushion can be difficult. However, it can also be easy. So easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete and thorough overview of the entire process in just over a minute and half of time. Watch to learn a simple upholstery method that will insure your cushion turns out perfect every time!
How To: Build an outdoor kitchen
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to build an outdoor kitchen. You can build it yourself using the AB courtyard walls collection. You should have all tools as per How-to sheet #341 before you begin. Determine the location of your outdoor kitchen and with a measuring tape mark the location of the back wall. Mark the line with masking tape. Begin the 1st layer by placing a corner block in the corner. Then place a large piece of a split block next to it. For information on ...
How To: Winterize your irrigation system
Don't let that winter freeze ruin your automatic drain irrigation system. Winterize your irrigation system to make sure everything runs as smoothly as before when the cold weather goes away. This will save you a lot of hassle and money. This video will show you how to winterizie your irrigation system.
How To: Light your pilot light and fix your old furnace
Do you have an old furnace that just won't stay lit? Are you constantly relighting your pilot light? Then this tutorial is here to help you. In this three part video series, learn how to diagnose the problem with your appliance and either fix it or ditch it.
How To: Use a holesaw
Looking for an easy way to cut out a large hole from a plank of wood or a sheet of plastic or metal? A holesaw (also styled hole saw) might be just the right tool for the job. For a complete overview of how to use a holesaw-type circular saw to carve holes into your materials, watch this free video handyman's how-to.
How To: Build & maintain a worm composting farm
Looking to make a worm composting bin? Look no further. This video vermiculture how-to will see to it that you know everything you need to know to start your own worm-assisted compost process. For more information, including detailed instructions on setting up your own worm composting bin to generate fertile soil for your home garden, watch this free gardener's guide.
How To: Iron a dress or sport shirt
Need to iron a shirt for an important occasion? Smooth out your ironing technique with this housekeeper's how-to, which demonstrates the proper technique for pressing a men's dress or sport shirt using an electric iron and ironing board. For more information, including a step-by-step breakdown of the process, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Vertical mulch a tree
This video will show you how to take good care of your trees by feeding the roots with verticle mulching. Drill holes in the soil about 15" deep, and put in compost and nutrient materials. Use an auger to drill several 3" holes around the tree. It works best when you moisten the soil first. Use a spade and trowel to fill the holes with the compost and nutrient mixture. You can also use a spading fork to break the soil, sprinkle the mixture on, and the mixture will fall into the cracks in the...
How To: Make a french spiral bouquet
To make a french spiral bouquet you first start with straight stemmed flowers such as roses. It is very important that you rid the stems of foliage such as leaves as well as removing all the thorns. You can do this by using a gardening glove or washcloth and sliding it down the stem. Once that is completed it is time to begin the bouquet. The first step is to pick a base flower. It is important to use a flower that has a straight stem. From there you begin to add flowers by crossing them with...
How To: Make an amazing lamp out of strings
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make an amazing lamp. The materials required for this project are a balloon, wool string and liquid glue. Begin by blowing up the balloon and wind it with wool string. Wrap all around to cover the surface of the balloon. Then cover the entire balloon with some liquid glue and let it dry for 24 hours. Once it's dried, carefully let out the air of the balloon and remove it from the dried yarn string. Now add a light source. This video will benefit th...
How To: Keep your pansies healthy year round
How to keep your pansies healthy year round
How To: Build patio walls with posts
Instructions for building wall panels and posts using Alan Block materials. This is How-to Sheet #190, for the Courtyard Collection. Combine walls and posts in a three step process: build a post, build one wall off the post, then build a second wall off the first. Corner blocks help make perfect corners, and have one long and one short side. Offset the vertical seems by alternating. Blocks used for the wall include Dublin center-split, Dublin end-split, and York center-split. You will need to...
How To: Build a very inexpensvie grow light system
Jack takes you throught the steps of creating a plant light. Begin with a large sterolight container, all thread,bolts, nuts and washers, and a power strip with tie wraps to hold it togethers You'll use flourescent lights and two pieces of plywood. Two nuts are used to hold this together and its painted white. The plywood reinforces the lid because it isn't very sturdy. This allows the seeds to grow faster because they're in a controlled temperature. The sterolight is waterproof so you don't ...
How To: Rabbit proof a garden
Small creatures like rabbits can be a large problem for gardeners when they begin to feed on garden plants. John White shares some tips on how to keep rabbits from ruining your plants. Rabbits will feed on almost anything, especially when they’re starving, so it’s hard to rabbit-proof everything. However, you can still try to save the plants that are most prone to dying with rabbits and rodents in the area. For instance, if you just planted a young tree, you can put netting around it with...
How To: Control flies around your home
In this video, we learn how to control flies around your home with Rick Steinel. The common house fly can be found everywhere in the house and are full of disgusting germs. We can now make a type of liquid that attracts flies and kills them. These are safe for humans so it won't hurt your home or you. This liquid can also be placed inside of a container which will collect the flies outside, before they have a chance to enter your home. They are also very easy to install and it's very easy ins...
How To: Install kitchen tile and apply grout
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to install kitchen tile and apply grout. Take measurement of the area that is to be tiled. If you want to make a mosaic with the tiles, cut the tiles as per the design and layout the mosaic on a flat surface. Apply setting compound on the surface and fix the tiles as per the design. If there are diagonal cut, use a speed square to establish 45 degree angle. To bridge the thickness difference between glass and ceramic tiles, use the lamin...
How To: Make a light bulb oil lamp
This video illustrate us how to make a light bulb oil lamp. Here are the following steps; Step 1: Take all the things required that is bulb, socks,adhesive tape,scissors,kerosene, rim with a hole in the center.
How To: Easily build a rain barrel
A whole is drilled into the cap of a barrel with a 3 1/4 inch bit and another one an inch or more below the top and one of 3 inches width on the next side. Spreaded adapters ends are wrapped with plumbers tape; to prevent water leaks. The ends are then screwed together and placed into the top hole in the barrel. The spiget is held into the side hole with a piece of pvc pipe and a garden hose is attached. A funnel is made with a piece of window screen mesh slightly bigger than a pvc pipe it co...
How To: Conceal screw heads
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to conceal screw heads. This video is from www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk. It is very easy to do. You will need a kit called screw digger and plug cutter set for size 8 or size 10 wood screws. Using the drill bit from the set, drill the hole. This will drill a hole for fitting a plug in addition to the hole for the screw. Now take a piece of similar wood and cut out a plug with the plug cutter tool as shown in the video. Drive the screw in t...
How To: Make compost in your backyard
In this how to video, you will learn how to make your own compost heap. Compost is nature's own living fertilizer. It can be purchased at stores, but you can also make it yourself. This can be started in any weather and at any time of the year. Tree trimmings, grass clippings, food scraps, coffee grounds, saw dust, and even dryer lint can be used for compost. Any mix can be used. The critical ingredient is oxygen. Coarse and soft mixes should be used. Water is also important. You want living ...
How To: Install a new shower head for dummies
In this tutorial, we learn how to install a new shower head and remove an old one. You will need a wrench, toothbrush, rags, replacement shower head, teflon tape, and pliers. First, remove the old shower head with your pliers, wrench and cloth to remove it. Twist this counter clockwise until the shower head comes off. Now, clean the threads with the toothbrush and place the teflon tape over them. Now, screw your new shower head on by hand until it fits snugly onto it. Finish screwing this on ...
How To: Soften the look of a stone walkway with creeping thyme
Stone walks can look a bit intimidating. But by planting small plants you can make a stone walk both welcoming and beautiful. You want to plant something that is hardy and still attractive. You shouldn't plant on a heavily traveled area, but this technique is perfect for a lightly traveled path. When planting in between stones, dig a small hole for the plant and place it gently between the stones. As with all plantings, you will want to immediately water after you put the plant into the soil....