Hot Home & Garden Posts
How To: Sow seeds in a raised bed garden
This video describes how to have a raised garden bed. You can use your raised garden bed for most all vegetables. They are using this one for winter vegetables and early spring ones. A good hint was to line 3 seeds up end to end and that is the depth you need to plant them. Lettuce was the vegetable that was shown. Thinning out the bed is very important as not to crowd the plants. A point made was that you can eat the ones that you thin out or use them in a compost pile. Keeping the seedlings...
How To: Make a wallet from a recylced milk carton
A simple and creative way to make your own wallet. A few folds and snips of the scissors and you've created your own pocket wallet. You can even use different color of the carton to achieve a different and unique kind. It is extremely simple, the only things you need are your hands, scissors, tape and stapler. Open the carton, flatten it out, cut, tape the cut sides, staple and apply adhesive strips. You can apply whatever color of tape you want, this can make the wallet even more personalize...
How To: Choose pansies, chrysanthemums & asters
Curtis Smith and Jim Sais describe how to choose pansies, chrysanthemums and asters. Pansies are very small plants and they come in different varieties and sizes such as dancing bears . The face of the pansies is very exact and the right fertilizer will cause them to grow successfully. Amended soil will work best for pansies. Chrysanthemums are spectacular plants and they can be used in containers as well. They signify a fair well to summer. When they are finished blooming, you should be able...
How To: Stencil paint your walls with help from the Home Depot
This is a step by step tutorial on stencil painting your walls, brought to you by The Home Depot. Beginning with a brief description of the art of stenciling, you are then shown the materials you will need to proceed. Next, you are shown how to prepare your room and surfaces. The goal will be to use a single stencil in multiple positions. The stipple method of application is stressed to achieve a multi-dimensional application. Two colors are used to give the added dimension of shadow to the i...
How To: Force flower bulbs to bloom
This video explains how to force flower bulbs to bloom. The instructor first takes a pot and fills the bottom of it with gravel, which then the bulbs are placed right on top of the set gravel. The rest of the bowl is filled with polished show rocks mid way up the bulb to set them properly inside the pot so they are unable to move freely. The instructor then explains that using the gravel and rock filling forces the bulbs to bloom faster then with standard potting soil. The instructor explains...
How To: Test lawn irrigation systems
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to test lawn irrigation systems. John White presents this video. This is done by a simple can test. Take a few cans of the same size with vertical walls and flat bottom. Place them around the sprinkler head at different distances and make sure they are horizontal. This will show whether the sprinkler is spreading water evenly. Then you can time it and measure the amount of water. This way in future, you will know how long to run the syst...
How To: Choose fruit trees
Doña Ana County Extension Agent John White and Master Gardener Benny Knudsen look at stone fruit trees on their tour of the "Garden of Weeden". The Mariposa Plum, the dwarf Stella Sweet Cherry, Elberta Peach, Tilton Apricot and the almond tree (which also belongs to the stone fruit family) are featured in this segment of Southwest Yard and Garden series. The suitability of these trees for a small garden is mentioned. Besides this, also discussed is the problem of late frost and its effect on ...
How To: Caulk your shower with a mold inhibitor
To start caulking your shower please ensure that the shower is clean, dry and all caulk joints are also clean, dry and free of any old caulk. Start by taping the 'to be caulked' areas with blue painters tape, making sure you are following the contour of the shower and pressing firmly on the tape to prevent any caulk from getting under the tape. Once the taping is completed now you can start caulking. Start by using a caulking gun from one end of the shower to another, using small amounts of c...
How To: Make vermicompost using kitchen and garden scraps
How to Make Vermicompost.
How To: Identify common tree problems
For new landscapes people tend to generally plant the new 'purple leaf plum' trees in a square shaped small plots. They also plant some small plants around it to make it look good. However when the tree grows older it needs to spread its roots. At that time these plants may try to hinder the trees roots growth. Therefore it is advisable remove them once the tree starts growing bigger. Then you can also add water to the roots by spreading it around the area of the tree.Whenever there is proble...
How To: Identify problems with Iris and crabapple trees
Lillis only flower for one day. They look ugly when dead you can use your finger nail to pop them off. Trim your trees often. Pull your dead leaves. Heat is not good for your plants. When your cutting you crab trees back go down a few branches of leaves before you cut. Yellow breasted sap suckers are not good for your trees. They also cut in a straight line. Crab apple trees have barks that naturally peel off, there is nothing wrong with that tree. Just watch out for the bugs because they can...
How To: Reduce your refrigerator energy usage
This video shows several tips that will help you cut down the electricity usage of your refrigerator. Think about what you want from the fridge before opening the door, instead of standing there with the door open while deciding what you want. Set the temperature of your fridge only as cold as necessary, and allow 24 hours for any temperature changes to take effect. Keep exterior condensation switches off unless you need them. Make sure the door gasket is clean and in good condition. Clean it...
How To: Identify problems with the peach tree borer
This video explains how to identify problems with the peach tree borer. The video begins with a peach tree shown with bore issues below the dirt line on the trunk. The instructor then explains that most of the pesticides used for this problem are no longer available and that most people have turned to more organic pesticides to solve the problem. The video then explains that you must first clean all the bore and dirt away before trying to apply pesticides to the tree. After the bore holes hav...
How To: Set up plumbing for a pond
The Pond Digger demonstrates how to set up plumbing for a pond. First, sleeve all pipes coming through the cement foundation to protect the plumbing from elemental stress and provide additional flexibility. Next, use a clear primer and a clear glue to seal areas where you need a clean, finished looking product. Paint the PVC piping to protect it from the sun's UV rays and prevent from becoming brittle. If you need to do cutting, use a chop saw for a quick, clean and efficient cut. Extend the ...
How To: Power carve a bonsai
Carving a bonsai tree can be an interesting and rewarding experience. One may think that the tree would be injured in this process, however the process can actually strengthen the health of the tree. The first step when carving a bonsai is to reduce the height of the tree to about one meter. The necessary tools required consist of: a high speed grinder, a rotary cutter, and a weasel. The rotary cutter is good for removing large amounts of wood. Before beginning to cut the tree look at the tre...
How To: Identify if you have aphids and webworms on mesquites
The video shows how to effectively be aware and get rid of possible webworms or aphids on your mesquites so they won't get damaged later. Here, John White invited Annete Peterson to show how to do so. She starts by informing from what she saw that many mesquites from her neighborhood have deformed leaves and mainly several of them have stripped branches at the tips of the trees. He explains that one of the problems is a webworm on the leaf of the mesquite, and it eats the leaves of the plant ...
How To: Start seeds in pellets for a small kitchen garden
In this video Daniel Gasteiger demonstrates how to make a kitchen garden by planting seeds in pellets made of compressed peat moss. If the seeds are to be replanted outside this needs to be started 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost.
How To: Identify problems with poinsettia, ligustrum & pecans
Some of the new poinsettia plants will continue to "bloom" year round, but others need a little encouragement. The blooming is actually leaves of the plant itself. One way of forcing it to change color is to withhold fertilizer and/or light for a time, then put it back into a sunny location and it will begin to bloom. The video also addresses spots on Ligustrum plants. It has to do with cold weather in the winter and lack of nitrogen. There's not much you can do about winter damage, but ferti...
How To: Properly nail shingles on a roof
How to properly nail shingles on a roof
How To: Repair spalled concrete
This video illustrates us how to repair spalled concrete. Here are the following steps:Step 1: First of all take cement and sand'Step 2: Mix it in the ratio 1:3 that is cement one part and sand three partsStep 3: Now add water and mix the mixture well.Step 4 : Now apply this mixture for filling the spalled concrete.Step 5: Polyurea can also be used to fill the crackStep 6: Let the repair work done dry.Step 7: After around 28 days apply a water proof primer on the repaired work to prevent furt...
How To: Choose the right evergreen tree for your landscape
In this video from nmsuaces we learn about choosing the right evergreen tree for your landscape. Upright Junipers are very good for the landscape. A topiary pruned juniper is something that the homeowner can maintain in the spiral form it is. An Austrian black pine is good for lower types of settings and low end soils. A Tanyosho pine can get to be about 10-12 feet and that would fit many landscapes. A Japanese black pine is a fast growing tree, and grows twisting an irregularly. Deodor Cedar...
How To: Install new windows in a new construction project
Steve with Eikenhout Educational Video Series and Paul Griggs with PGriggs Construction demonstrate how to install new windows during a new construction application. You will need a level, a utility knife, a caulk gun and a hammer to install the windows. First, cut the house wrap away from the area where the window will be placed. Next, properly flash the opening to protect it from water by starting at the window sill. Next, verify that the sill is level. Next, caulk around the window opening...
How To: Germinate a seed in a small cup
This video is how to germinate a seed in your home using as an example, a watermelon seed. Take a container and fill it about three quarters full with potting soil. You could use a Styrofoam cup, for example. Now take a seed or several seeds and put it on top of the soil. Cover the seeds with soil that is about three times the size of the seed. Press lightly on the soil. We the container soil with some water. Then place the container in a sunny and warm location in your home until it starts g...
How To: Build a unique terraced garden
In this episode of Southwest Yard and Garden Curtis Smith shows you how to turn a steep slope into a usable garden. By building walls along the slope using serpentine designs he shows you how to obtain a compromise of both strength and artistic design. Starting with a good concrete footer and rebar you can construct a retaining wall strong enough to hold the weight of the slope. Materials such as wood and railroad ties can be used but may not stand the test of time as the weight of the soil c...
How To: Identify and problems with the red bud, & catus trees
Do you wonder if what you are seeing on your trees or plants is a problem, or simply natural? John White and Lois Pierce discuss various issues with Manzanitas, Red Buds, Viburnums, Mexican Buckeyes, and Cacti.
How To: Make healthy compost with five key ingredients
Rosalee de la Foret shows how to achieve this by adding five ingredients. First you'll need airflow. To achieve this choose large sticks of branches that normally fall from trees. Cross them while placing them on the ground. The second ingredient is water. You'll need to keep it watered, but not to the point of muddy but not dried out. The third ingredient is heat. If layered appropriately with the components, you'll have a warm pile. You'll also need nitrogen. Anything green in the pile equa...
How To: Pick a door lock using only a paper clip
In this video, we learn how to pick a door lock with a paper clip. First, make sure you have a door lock that has a pinhole on the outside. Now take your paperclip and open it up so it's straight and flat. Once you've done this, stick your paperclip into the pinhole and wait until you feel a small hole on the inside of the lock and twist the paperclip. Keep twisting the paperclip until the door becomes unlocked, you will hear and feel the lock opening. If the paperclip slips, just stick it ba...
How To: Clean your oven and microwave
In this video, Charlie from Mr. Appliance shows us how to clean ovens and microwaves. When any cook top becomes stained, it's always best to clean it right away or it will stain easily and be harder to clean later on. When you use the self-clean option in your oven, make sure you remove the racks as well as any big fool spills that exist in the oven. Microwaves should be easy to maintain and the best way to clean is with soap and water. You can also place a bowl of water and microwave it for ...
How To: Sharpen a knife on a Triple Oil Stone
sumaps2 describes how to sharpen a knife using a triple oil stone. The stone itself consists of three stones: a coarse stone, a medium coarse stone, and a fine stone. First, you must place the stone in a reservoir which has been filled with oil. In this example, transmission fluid is used because of its ability to keep metal from binding to the stone. However, you must be extra careful in washing the knives afterwards. All your knives can be sharpened with the triple oil stone, from your pari...
How To: Fertilize bermuda grass lawns
Watch Southwest Lawn and Garden's John white and Dr. Bernd Leinauer Discuss the importance of Bermuda grass lawn fertilization and the correct techniques involved. You'll learn how to interpret the meaning behind the fertilizer label, and why a complete fertilizer, including nitrogen, phosphorus and Potassium. Along with how to calculate much fertilizer to use per square foot, You'll learn how each important nutrient helps your lawn, and why having the correct balance is so important. Most im...
How To: Create tomato cages from concrete wire
Curtis Smith, an extension horticulturist talks about using cages for your tomato plants. He says that some people like to stake tomatoes, some like to cage them and some even just let their tomato plants sprawl. He talks to a local gardener who has built his own tomato cages out of concrete wire. The gardener shows his cages, which he built 10 years ago and they still look sturdy today. Curtis gives a few tips like wrapping the cages with a special fabric that lets air and light through, but...
How To: Build a shaded vegetable garden
This video explains how to build a shaded vegetable garden. The instructor begins the video my explaining the benefits using a shaded garden as it offers protection from hail, heavy rains and gives you the ability to control the outdoor temperature better. The simplest way to build your shaded building is to place large wood forms into the ground and place wood planks over the top of each and nailing them into place. The entire frame is then covered with a plexiglass roofing to keep out rain ...
How To: Identify pecan weevil problems
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to identify pecan weevil problems. John White presents this video along with Carol Sutherland, extension entomologist. After pecan is infected with pecan weevil, it has the potential of spreading in the entire area. The indication of pecan weevil infection is an opening on the crust of the pecan which may or may not be a perfect circle. But, on the nuts the holes are perfect circles. There is usually one hole on the nuts; though sometime...
How To: Erase permanent marker from a dry erase board
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to erase permanent marker from a dry erase board. Well, there are various methods of erasing permanent marker from a dry erase board. One of the methods is to use some clear spirit. Soak a small piece of cloth in the spirit and rub off the dry marker and it will vanish in no time. But, what if you don’t have spirit? This short video clip shows you how to do this very easily and quickly. All you have to do is to apply more of permanent in...
How To: Plant dahlia flowers in your garden
After receiving your dahlia tuber in the mail, dig a hole where you want the flowers to bloom in your garden. It should be big enough to place the whole tuber into and be completely covered by dirt. Before planting your tuber, you need to find where the head is. Find where the stalk was last year. When placing it in the ground, make sure the stalk is pointing up. After planting, your tuber should be flowering in about 4 weeks. Because the wind and rain can be tough on your flowers, it's a goo...
How To: Pick plants and trees at a nursery
How to pick plants and trees at a nursery
How To: DIY prune a tree
In this how-to video, you will learn how to prune a tree yourself. You start by using the four D's. The four d's include removing things that are dead, damaged, deformed, and dysfunctional. If the branch is brown and crispy, you can remove it. Remove any stubs as this will affect the tree over time. Get close to the branch collar when cutting. Do not cut it near the base if the branch is bigger than an inch in diameter, as this may damage the tree. Do this instead by cutting an under cut and ...
How To: Caulk a sink using the dab method
This video demonstrates how to caulk a sink. For this project, you will need a tube of caulk, a towel, and an X-acto knife.
How To: Excavate a pond and use hand tools
This video shows you how to excavate a pond using hand tools and a jackhammer.First of all, you must organize your digging in shelves. A pond should have some parts deeper than others. You start by leveling the pond at the part where it will be more shallow (thus creating the first shelf). Then go to a deeper part and level that out. In this way you create shelves with different elevations.Your tools for excavating are the spade, the flat shovel, the pick, the wheelbarrow and the jackhammer. ...
How To: Clean and shine coins with an eraser, vinegar and salt
In this how-to video, you will learn how to clean your coins to make them look shiny and new. This is useful if you collect coins. First, you will need coins, vinegar, salt, paper towels, a pencil, and a jar for the mixture. Take the coin and place it in the jar. Next, add a small amount of salt to the jar. Now, pour three caps full of vinegar into the jar. Mix it with the pencil and let it rest for ten seconds. Now, take the coin and place it on the paper towel. Use the eraser on the pencil ...