Hot Home & Garden Posts
How To: Marble your home decorations
Marble your home decorationsItems needed: Marobu easy marbling kit with 6 paints, a bucket of water and items to decorate.Make sure the water in the bucket is deep enough to submerse the jar. Add 6 or 7 drops of green, blue and black paint into the water. Stir. Put your hand in the jar and dip it into the bucket of water. Clear the paint from the water for the next project. Place red, yellow and white in the bucket of water and stir. Add the candle. Place it on the side to dry. Clear the pain...
How To: Clean and sharpen garden tools
John White shows how to clean and sharpen your tools by using a file and WD40. He also advises to repair the wooden handles of your tools to prevent injury. Run the file along the back and sides of the shovel. Leave the front part smooth. Make sure you remove any mud to prevent corrosion. Use steel wool to achieve this as well as WD40. Use the file to sharpen the edges of your hoe and again clean with steel wool and WD40. The file is also useful for sharpening trimmers. Clean all the dried pl...
How To: Easily cover screws and nails using drywall mud
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to cover screws and nails with drywall mud during drywall installation. Users will need a taping knife tool. Apply the drywall mud over the screw or nails and use the taping knife to flatten the mud over the screw or nail. Use the knife to take off any excess mud. Apply 2-3 layers of drywall mud over the screw, depending on how long the screw head is. This video will benefit those viewers who are in the construction trades or doing home renovation and...
How To: Identify and treat snow mold
snow mold occurs in round patches of grass in the lawn. The patches contain a fussy substance (the mold), that appears in grey or pink; the most dangerous of the two. Mold is formed whenever a lot of snow is left on the lawn for a long period of time, this causes the mold to grow underneath. Late fertilization with a lot of nitrogen promotes mold. Dead grass or thatch can cause mold to develop. Gently raking allows airflow into the grass and promotes new grass growth. The putting down of gras...
How To: Propagate raspberries and blackberries
In this video, an expert gardener explains how to propagate raspberries and blackberries.To propagate, you normally need a small rooted cutting. The expert recommends that you soak the roots in water with a bit of root stimulator for about 15 minutes. Also, he says that the cutting should be planted in earth with compost and phosphorous fertilizer to help to roots grow better. When the earth is well mixed, you make a small hole, place the root in side and bury it, pressing the soil around the...
How To: Caulk a home window
This video demonstrates how to caulk windows. For this project, you will need the following: a tube caulk, a putty knife, scraper, a knife or scissors, paper towels, a long hanger or a nail, a caulk gun, a small plastic spoon or a popsicle stick.
How To: Identify problems with pecans & pruning grapevines
Master Gardener Rosamarie Maddox asks John White, Doña Ana County Extension Agent, about problems facing her pecans, grapevines, and native shrubs. An unidentified insect found on her pecan tree is identified by John White as a Twice Stabbed Ladybug. This ladybug is a useful insect that often over-winters on the tree and helps takes care of the aphid problems faced by pecans. Pink fuzzy coating on pecan nuts is also brought up. The coating is normal for pecan and contains bitter tannin. Too m...
How To: Remove permanent marker from Legos
Lego owners sometimes decide to personalize their Lego pieces by drawing on them with permanent marker. If you've ever needed to remove permanent marker from your Lego pieces, here's a surprisingly easy way: You'll need a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a small bowl of water (only about an inch of water will be needed), and of course your marker-covered Lego piece. First apply toothpaste to the toothbrush. Next dunk the Lego piece in the water. Then place the Lego piece in your hand and lightly s...
How To: Upcycle a yogurt container into a mini-album
Creativity Prompt demonstrates how to turn a yogurt container into a mini-album. First, measure the lid's diameter. Then, cut a corresponding circle from your patterned paper. Use Mod Podge to adhere the paper circle to the lid and seal it with another layer of adhesive. Next, cut a bunch of different 4 x 1 inch strips of patterned paper. Adhere the paper strips to the yogurt container with Mod Podge. Seal it with another layer of adhesive and set it aside to dry. Measure the bottom of the co...
How To: Patch budding pecans
This will illustrate us how to Patch budding pecans . Here are the following steps.Step 1: First of all we have to see whether the right season is there or not that is spring or late summer.Step 2 :Selecta smooth, convenient location on the stock. Make a double cut approximately 11/2 inches long, by rotating a double bladed budding knifeStep 3: Connect the double cut on the right side with one perpendicular cut. This can be done with one of the budding knife blades.Step 4: Raise the bark on ...
How To: Care for house plants growing in water
Growing plants in the Southwest is different then other climates. We learn how to grow plants in water. Salt is a factor that we need to be cautious of. Salt is in soil and in water. Water, once absorbed leaves a layer of salt. It can be avoided by watering in a certain way. Changing the water frequently, a dish underneath a potted plant to drain the water and flushing out the salt and re-potting periodically. Sometimes extremes measures must be taken to hydrate a plant. In this case putting ...
How To: Caulk the baseboards in your home
How to caulk the baseboards in your home
How To: Treat for lawn grubs
This video gives you tips on how to treat Lawn Grubs. The infestation of grubs is fairly easy to detect. The grass will die off in patches. The grubs will be visible. There are about 8 different species of white grubs that can infest your lawn.
How To: Identify pinon needle scale
Identify pinion needle scaleWe are going to look at this insect because eggs are being laid. Two year old needles are being cast off. This is a sign of infestation. There is also sparse, open foliage. This tends to be a chronic infestation. The insect is the pinion needle scale. You can see tiny, bean shaped bumps on the 2 year old needles. The insects move to last years new growth and feast on the sap of the needle all summer. You can see egg masses and web on the trunk of the tree. The inse...
How To: Read tree growth rings
This video explains how tree growth rings function and what they can tell us.The growth rings are formed in 2 (sometimes 3) layers of wood that are the spring growth and the summer growth. Ring width can vary depending on the specie of the tree, the environment in which it has grown and the amount of water it has used. By counting the rings you can tell the age of the tree.By analyzing the growth rings, you can see the years in which there was a drought where the tree once stood, because the ...
How To: Build a mousetrap car
This five part series shows you everything you need to do build a mousetrap from beginning to end. An extensive, and thorough explanation on building this fun and classic toy. This is a great tutorial for the entire family to enjoy. It's also fun to build your own toy from you own hands on a budget and using things you can find right in your home.
How To: Style a cork bark oak for the first time
Graham Potter shows how to stylize cork bark oak. The main way to stylize is to avoid the carving of the bark, but to carving the branches. Its recommended to start carving when the branches are young. First you will start removing all the branches you have no use for (e.g.. shortening branches to about 4 to 5 leaves). Graham says while trimming the branches, do not worry about the immediate image of the branches, but of the image of what it will look like in the future when it fully grows. G...
How To: Lift and repot a black pine bonsai
Charles M., an attorney and bonsai cultivator, demonstrates how to transfer a field grown Japanese Black Pine that is ready for training. A 5-gallong nursery specimen was purchased and planted in the ground with a bonsai compound soil to keep its roots close and compact during trunk thickening. The tree was allowed to grow for three years, with the main foliage under four feet, but with two “sacrifice” branches allowed to shoot out without trimming. One sacrifice branch at the top of the tree...
How To: Identify a spittle bug on your salvia
Great video by Southwest Yard & Garden. tutorial on how to identify garden pests on your plants & shrubs. Went into detail on the Salvia plants - always be careful spittle bugs, they produce spittle commonly on Salvia plants. Whiteflies and aphids are known to take residence in Ash trees. Aphids commonly take on the look of mildew. Ways to manage moths for apples, you can use insecticide spray but be conservative. Took a look at signs of Cochineal Scale on a Prickly Pear. Went over ways to ta...
How To: Grow blackberries in southern New Mexico
Southwest Yard and Garden teaches viewers hot to grow blackberries in Southern New Mexico. Blackberries grow in high rain fall areas but they can work in the south west. They will need bee pollination so you need to make sure that you do not spray too much insecticide on them or you will kill of the bees. Make sure you pick the blueberries when they are dull and not when they are shiny. This will give them the maximum sugar content. Blackberries should grow in sandy soil or looser soil. You m...
How To: Clean clad coins with a tumbler
Ever wondered how to clean those dust clad coin? It is hard to clean the coins all at a time. This how-to-do video gives an easy way to clean those stubborn clad on the coins. An old tumbler would accommodate this task. An old tumbler can be bought from eBay. The tumbler consists of two tumbling barrels connected to a small motor. The tumbling barrels are connected to a motor through a rubber belt. Fill the tumbling barrels with water and tumbling medium. Add Gravel or Pebbles from aquarium, ...
How To: Grow a fig tree in southern New Mexico
In this segment of Southwest Yard and Garden, John White and Bill Alford are going to be talking about fruit production and how to harvest figs in southern New Mexico. Bill starts off by talking about his nine year old Black Turkey tree. He says he digs holes and arbor each spring, then uses half a cup of fertilizer per hole. The roots of a fig tree usually grow out past the outer parts of the tree so it's important to make sure you plant has adequate room to grow correctly. A person can mayb...
How To: Remove a stain from a carpet
How to remove a stain from a carpet
How To: Repot a juniper bonsai tree fall
When re-potting a juniper bonsai tree you're going to have to go through the following procedures. First get it out of the existing pot and then rake out the soil at it's base. After doing so for a while, blast the soil with a water jet. If by chance you encounter stubs of ground level branches, try to remove it with a cutter, otherwise use a pruning saw. Now go back to cleaning and reducing the root mass, having done so as much as possible move the tree into another container. Start backfill...
How To: Grow blue corn
Blue corn is a special variety of corn which can be differentiated by the majority of the corn species by looking at the unusual top growth of the corn. It is a hybrid and grows very uniformly throughout. Now take a corn from the field and peel it off. You shall notice that it has a blue color corns. Blue color corns are hard from outside but they are very soft and tender in the middle. You can use these blue corns in making commercial products like blue corn chips, tortillas, and atole ’,‘ c...
How To: Identify problems with heat scorch on roses
John White and Rosemary Maddox address garden problems concerning heat and sun damage on their plants. Rosemary grows tomatoes that grow healthily, but are dry and cracked at the top. John identifies the problem as an excessive exposure to heat and sunlight, and recommends putting a netting over the plants to filter and moderate the sunlight. Rosemary also has a similar problem with her roses. The leaves on her rose plants become yellow and brown and eventually die off. John calls it "heat sc...
How To: Make a simple wooden bonsai pot
In this how-to video, you will learn how to make a wooden bonsai pot. You will need pressure treated wood made of all weather oak. You will also need a strain brush and nails. Assorted plastic bins will also be needed. Drill holes into the bottom of the plastic bin. Next, cut it to size. Cut the pieces of wood to the correct size and then line and tape them up. Next, nail the wooden pieces together. Now, place two pieces of wood on the bottom for legs. This allows air to flow beneath the pot....
How To: Add zinc to pecan trees
John White is an expert horticulturist. He thinks you need to make sure to add zinc to the proper care of your pecan trees. White advises to buy zinc at your local gardening store and use a garden sprayer to put it on your trees. Older trees and younger trees need to have zinc at different times. When you are spraying make sure to hit all the limbs and leaves. Without proper care your trees will not be as healthy as they would if you follow White's simple instructions. Make sure to follow his...
How To: Divide and re-pot onions and herbs
How to divide and re-pot onions and herbs
How To: Deal with broken tree branches & problems with grapes
This video illustrate us how to deal with broken tree branches and problems with grapes. Here are the following steps:Step 1: First of all clean the broken branch with water.Step 2; Now apply some tree primer or tree paint on the exposed area for quick healing and to prevent any infection.Step 3: To deal with problems in grapes first of all look for any infection on the leaf, stalk or the fruit.Step 4: If in case there is some infection ,identify the problem and sprinkle the pesticide for tha...
How To: Identify and control problems with pine trees
First of all whenever there is low rainfall and higher heat then there are problems.You shall notice that there are brown colored needles which dry up and then drop of. Sometimes they start at the tip and then move towards the branch. This shows drought and you need to soak in lots of water to overcome. However if you notice the brown needles going from the middle to the tip then these are due to natural process. Another problem is the presence of spider mite. Take a white sheet of paper and ...
How To: Build a tomato cage
A piece of concrete reinforcement wire is cut and separated by a bow cutter at about 4 feet. The wires on one side of the separated section is bent in the form of a hook to hold the next side. As it would be hooked together to hold a tomato tree in position. It was suggested that rope cover material or material with small holes that can absorb sunlight be placed around the cage and held together with a clothes pin. Doing so would prevent bug plant, frost bite, curly top viruses , squash plant...
How To: Repot a juniper bonsai tree
In this video, Charles M. Teaches us how to re-pot a Bonsai tree. But before this, he explains how to make Bonsai soil. The ingredients to Bonsai soil are as follows: Potting soil, (from your local Home store) Hummus, Decomposed Granite, and a bucket. Take a couple of scoops from each ingredient and add to the bucket. Now you have your Bonsai soil and are ready to move along. Charles next explains how to handle the Bonsai itself. First, you want to remove any extra branches. Then you take it ...
How To: Indentify problems with the ash & golden rain tree
In this how-to video, you will learn how to identify and control problems with Ash and Golden Rain Trees. If there are discolorations in the tree branch, there may be a few problems. If you see a severe orange color, this will damage the tree. You can paint the tree with a white paint to avoid this problem. Pruning cuts that have been executed poorly will also cause discoloration and rot. If the leaves have tip burn, this may mean that the air is dry and arid. If twigs on Junipers look dirty ...
How To: Apply a drip irrigation system to your garden
Drip irrigation systems in your garden are centered around a long length of pressure compensating drip tubing. The tubing will also need a pressure regulator and a "Y filter" to keep it clear of impurities. When laying the tubing down in your garden, be sure to keep the kinks out of the line. When choosing an emitter for your irrigation system, keep in mind the needs of your particular garden, and choose either a single emitter or one of various multi-emitters. Depending on the size of your g...
How To: Remove permanent marker from plastic surfaces
This video is a demonstration set to music about how to remove permanent marker from a plastic surface. It is not narrated. To follow along with this video, all you need is a can of Axe body spray, some clean, dry tissues, and a plastic surface that has permanent marker on it. The video shows a clean video game case, then the person draws and writes all over it with a black sharpie. The person proceeds to spray some Axe body spray all over the permanent marker writing. He or she grabs a clean...
How To: Identify problems with the rubber plant, pomegranite
This video illustrate us how to identify problems with the rubber plant and the pomegranate. Here are the following steps:Step 1:First of all look whether both the plant leaves are in right shape that is they are not deformed, in case if it is then look for any bacterial or fungal infection.Step 2: Look whether there is any yellowing of the leaves. If so this may be due to over watering.Step 3: Look for whether there in any latex blocking in the rubber plant, if so then remove it or latex won...
How To: Keep your microwave oven clean
This video demonstrates different ways of cleaning your microwave oven. Cleaning your oven is a very simple and easy task.1.Mix equal parts of baking soda and water. This acts a very mild creamy abrasive and the baking soda helps in deodorizing the oven. Dip a paper towel/rag and rub over the dirt to clean it up.2.Mix 2/3rd water with 1/3rd parts of white vinegar in a bowl and place it in the oven. Heat it up for 5 min so that the mix starts to steam. The steam loosens the dirt and the vinega...
How To: Trim rose bushes
In this how-to video, you will learn how to trim rose bushes. You will need a pair of shears and roses. Cut anything growing from the summer. You should also cut any old wood as well. This will leave new growth for the rose bushes. The best way to remove this is to go in and cut it with almost an inch of cane left. Continue to cut the dead wood. Next, prune above the buds on the top. Do this all around the bush. Make sure they are all about the same height. Look for a good outside bud before ...
How To: Sharpen a hunting or fishing knife
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to sharpen a knife. The materials required are: water or oil, stone and the knife. Begin by dipping the blade into the water and start grinding with a rolling movement on the rough side of the stone. If it gets dry, add some water. Grind on both the sides of the stone. Now flip over the stone and grind with a pulling movement on the smooth side. Then finish the sharpening with a leather belt. This video will benefit those viewers who need to learn how...