Hot Home & Garden Posts
How To: Set up a standby generator for your home or business
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to set up a standby generator for their home or business. A standby generator is a back-up electrical system that operates automatically. This video shows you how to properly setup a standby generator to power your home or business in the event of an emergency. It provides many tips. If you choose to use a portable standby generator, it should be used as conjunction with the manual transfer system which consists of a manual transfer switch, power inle...
How To: Grow garlic in your home garden
Garlic is good for you and adds great flavor to your cooking. Add this versatile plant to your garden this fall and in no time at all you'll be pulling up fantastic cloves of fresh, home grown garlic that you can use and share with your neighbors.
How To: Hang heavy art on lath and plaster walls
This Home and Garden video tutorial shows how to hang heavy art on lath and plaster walls. This is really very easy and simple to do. Heavy objects of art will need big size nails for hanging. Hammering big size nails on lath and plaster wall is not possible. The nails just go in after a little distance. Then what do you do? There’s a really very simple and easy method of hanging heavy art objects on lath and plaster walls. You just need to screw in. Take a screw, hold it perpendicular to the...
How To: Harvest garlic scapes
Harvesting garlic scapes is a simple and very easy task. Grab some small clippers and then head out into the garden. Make sure you have harvested it before it has sprung its flower. Also make sure you cut it before the scape has curled around (at the top of the scape and where the flower will form), it tastes better and is nice and tender. Locate the scape and make a small mental note on where your going to cut it. The best location to do that is, as far down as the last set of leaves (near t...
How To: Deal with fire ants
This Home and Garden video tutorial shows how to deal with fire ants in the garden. This video is from Danny Lipford. These fire ants have been travelling fast and are spreading rapidly throughout the USA. When a mound of the ants is stepped upon, the entire ant colony will bite and each ant will bite repeatedly. Some people have severe allergic reactions to the ant bites. There are some new products in the market like Over’n Out. You spread it on the entire garden. It takes about six weeks t...
How To: Recycle an aluminum can into an indoor mini planter
This video shows how to make a eco friendly plant holder. The first thing you do is trace a fabric around the tin can this is to give it a better look. Then stamp the letters on the fabric of what you want to name your plant. After that poke about ten holes at the bottom of the can. Then glue the back of the fabric to place it on the can. Now wrap the fabric around the can on the sticky side. Lastly tie twine around the can for extra protection to hold up the fabric. Then put in the plants an...
How To: Turn an old door into a desk
Danny Lipford and Allen Lyle demonstrate how to turn an old door into a desk. First, remove the door hinges. Then, fill the biggest part of the voided hardware holes with wood and seal them with bonding adhesive. Don't leave too much excess bonding adhesive on the door or else you'll have to sand it off once it's dried. You may need at least two coats of bonding adhesive to get the surface level. Cut wood for the sides of the desk and then run them over a router. Sand down the door and the ne...
How To: Save a bundle on phone, TV and Internet service
When you bundle all three services you are able to save a lot of money, but we are told this is only for the first year and then rates go back up again.
How To: Recycle Chinese takeout containers into mini lanterns
For this project you will need a Chinese takeout container, a hole punch, paint brush, paint, a container for the paint and newspaper. Flatten the Chinese takeout container. Use your hole punch to make holes in it, choosing any pattern you would like. Place the container on the newspaper and paint the outer surface, using any color you prefer. Once you have allowed the pain to dry you can reassemble the Chinese takeout container, back to it's original look. Then you simply place a tea light i...
How To: Lay Straight Tile with a Crooked Wall
Tiling always looks so easy when you see it done on a straight wall! But how do you do it with a crooked wall? Use a Measureright Pro to get the angle right. So if you've tiled from a straight right angle and you're just reaching the 'odd' shaped spaces between your last row of tiles and your crooked wall, you can use the tool to mark your final row of tiles so that when you cut them, they will fit right into the irregular shaped spaces between your final row of tiles and the slanting wall. T...
How To: Care for garlic in a garden
In this video we are about to see how to plant a garlic in your garden. First of all we should decide on the type of garlic to be planted where and write it down or else we will lose track of it. Garlic always like an area of full sun and a composite mixture of soil. She has double dig the ground and added organic mixtures to get the soil nice and lose and also for it to be fertile. Remove the garlic cloves one by one using your fingers or knives (a better way). Then always garlic is planted ...
How To: Build a log cabin with Becky
Log cabins are so beautiful they look straight out of a storybook. In this two part tutorial, starring Becky from Becky's Homestead, you will learn how to make your very own wooden home. It's easier than you think!
How To: Grow wheatgrass yourself easy and quick
Wheatgrass juice is an elixir like no other. If you want to know how to grow wheatgrass - this video will teach you. Remarkably easy to grow, and 9 days we go from dormant wheat berries, to grass that's several inches tall. During those 9 days we expend about 2 minutes of labor. It is truly that easy, Why bother with machinery when it's this easy?
How To: Grow the raw super food that is wheatgrass with Emmon
In this two part video, Emmon teaches you how to grow your very wheatgrass. That delicious superfood that is ever so necessary to get your day started healthy, and full of energy. No need to go to Jamba Juice, you'll have your own wheatgrass.
How To: Grow bean sprouts in a hemp bag
This excellent video shows you how to grow bean sprouts in a hemp bag, quickly and easily. Bean sprouts all grow the same way, so these instructions will work for any bean you want to sprout in a bag sprouter. The hemp bag is easy to use, and beans are the perfect crop to grow in it. This video stars sproutpeople's mix of lentils.
How To: Build a hoophouse
Hoophouses (or high tunnels) are unheated greenhouses that are becoming increasingly popular with home gardeners and farmers eager to extend the growing season. In this two part series, learn how to make one of your own. Adam Montri is the hoophouse specialist for Michigan State University and in this tutorial, he takes you through all of the necessary steps for building one.
How To: Grow leafy sprouts in an easy sprout sprouter
In this video you'll go from dry seed to fully grown french garden, using the perfect easy sprout sprouter. It's so easy and quick, you'll have sprouts year round. These delicious sprouts are great for sandwiches, or a yummy snack.
How To: Building a pergola for your home
Pergolas make a lovely addition to any home. They offer shade and interesting shape to where you live. In this two part tutorial, learn how to build your own pergola for your home. Follow this step by step video and soon you'll be on your way to relaxing in one of your very own!
How To: Recycle a milk carton into a tabletop lantern
In this video tutorial, viewers will learn how to make a milk carton lantern. This lantern uses recycled items. The materials required for this lamp are: a milk carton, unryu paper, colored newspaper, raffia, ruler, glue gun, hole puncher, X-acto knife, glue stick and scissors. Flatten the milk carton. Draw a rectangle with each panel and measure about 1/2" form each of the sides. Measure about 3/4" from bottom and top. Cut out the rectangles with the X-acto knife. Glue the newspaper to the c...
How To: Repot a plant into a larger container
This video from Lowe's shows you how to successfully repot a plant into a larger container. You will know it is time to repot your plant when the roots are visible on the surface, or when they start growing through the drainage hole. If you need to repot one of your plants into a larger container, simply follow these steps: You will need a clean pot that is no more than two sizes larger than the old one. Place a wire mesh or pieces of broken clay pot over the drainage hole. Add a layer of pot...
How To: Set up and maintain a portable generator
Danny Lipford gives us tips on setting up and maintaining a portable generator. Set-up usually includes assembly of things like wheels and handle kits. Most portable generators come without oil so you will need to add it. Be sure to check the owner’s manual for the proper type of fuel to use.
How To: Spray paint Ikea furniture for a girl's bedroom
The video demonstrates the way of converting a plain IKEA cabinet for a girl's bedroom using spray paint. The person presenting us the video uses a pink all-purpose spray paint from Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch. The cabinet to be painted is dismantled and placed on a table. The person recommends to shake the paint spray bottle well before using it. First she paints the cabinet body and then the two cabinet doors using the pink spray paint. Once the spraying is complete, she lets it dry well and...
How To: Make hanging votive candle holders
Be a DIY superstar and impress your friends with your newfound craft skills by turning simple votive candle holders into a hanging candle tree. You can do it all with simple home supplies and by following the instructions in this video.
How To: Clear up office clutter
It's easy to find yourself drowning in a pile of papers and nick-nacks if you're not armed with a good organization system. By taking the time to set up a system where everything is condensed and has a place you'll find it much easier to keep it that way.
How To: Patch drywall with a peel patch
Home repairs might seem foreign to some people, but it's not as hard as dealing with contractors. If you have to patch up some holes in your drywall but don't know how, let this video series be your guide. In these videos, lean how to fix a drywall hole using a lath strip piece of wood.
How To: Use scrap wood to make a picture frame box
Most people have scrap wood hanging around in their garage collecting dust - so why not make a cool gift out of it? This picture frame box can be made in a couple of days and with a little elbow grease. It is a lovely gift for any occasion, and basically free to make.
How To: Repair corner bead on drywall
Home repairs might seem foreign to some people, but it's not as hard as dealing with contractors. If you have to patch up some holes in your drywall but don't know how, let this video series be your guide. In these videos, lean how to fix a damaged corner bead on drywall.
How To: Make your own solid pipe clamp hold-down
In this video "A better way" presenter Chuck Miller demonstrates a method of how to create a job site pipe holder (clamp hold-down) as opposed to a c-clamp, bar clamp or blocks of wood. It involves use of a pipe flange of the same diameter as the pipe being held. It shows you how to drill a hole into the top of your workbench and install the pipe flange. The video finally demonstrates how to use the pipe clamp in order to install a work-piece and clear the clutter from your work bench. The ti...
How To: Patch around an electrical box on drywall
Home repairs might seem foreign to some people, but it's not as hard as dealing with contractors. If you have to patch up some holes in your drywall but don't know how, let this video series be your guide. In these videos, lean how to patch around an electrical box on drywall.
How To: Tile a kitchen countertop with a sink with Home Depot
This great video provided by Home Depot demonstrates the right way to install tile for your kitchen countertop with a sink. Make sure to make your measurements precise as any inconsistencies will stick out like a sore thumb.
How To: Unclog your sink easily
This is a do-it-yourself video of how to unclog your sink when it is clogged up. First plug the sink stopper so that no water flows into the drain. Now place a bucket below the U-bend and remove the bend by rotating the coupler. If there is any water in the bend it will fall into the bucket. Remove the clogging waste with the help of a twizzer or any other contraption. Check if the vertical pipe from the sink is clogged or the outlet in the wall. Clean all the venerable point so that it allow...
How To: Apply a deep red mahogany finish to furniture
Add shimmer and color to your wood furniture with a Deep Red Mahogany Finish. Watch as The Wood Whisper's Marc Spagnuolo shows you how to apply this look to anything wood in your home. First Marc tells you about narrowing down whether or not you have to mask the wood or enhance the wood. After you figure that out you must choose how to color your wood. There are stains, oils, dyes and more! Marc chooses both a Merlot General Finishes Water Based Dye and Brown Mahogany General Finishes Gel Sta...
How To: Do a 16 inch layout on stud wall
Bob Schmidt from Home Remodel Workshop demonstrates how to frame a wall 16 inches on center. His tutorial is especially helpful, so pay attention to his tips, tricks, and specific techniques.
How To: Build a punching bag out of trash
In this video, Danny Lipford will show you how to make a punching bag with trash found at a construction site. First, a circle of plywood is cut out about one foot in diameter (in this video, a bucket is traced in pencil over the plywood). This is for the base of the punching bag. A large piece of PVC pipe is used for the center of the punching bag, which carpet padding is wrapped around to makeup the main part of the bag. Finally, duct tape is wrapped around the whole thing. Out of these ver...
How To: Organize & unclutter your closet
In this how-to video, you will learn how to organize your closet. You will need motivation first and foremost in order to fully go through with this project. The closet of course is the best way to motivate yourself to clean your entire house. First start by getting rid of the items you do not wear or do not like anymore. You can easily get rid of things you do not love by doing this. Next, purchase matching hangars. You can even just rework what hangars you are currently hanging. Items such ...
How To: Build a gravity retaining wall
This video shows us how to build a gravity wall with Allen Blocks. In order to do this, place blocks on top of the base course. You want to make sure that the bottom notch is tight against the front lip of the blocks underneath. Sliding them into place removes any present debris. Running bond is ideal; however, if that is not possible, offset them by a quarter of a block. After making sure the blocks are straight, fill the hollow blocks (and 12 inches behind them) with wall rock. Then smooth ...
How To: Make your own professional looking jewelry box
A jewelry box is not just a great way to keep your jewels safe, it is also a beautiful addition to your decor. In this video, learn how to make a gorgeous, professional looking jewelry box from walnut, maple and cherry woods. This in depth, seven piece series takes you from selecting your wood, through the finishing touches. These boxes are lovely enough to compete with anything on a store shelf.
How To: Fold a fitted sheet for perfect storage
Folding fitted sheets is always trickier than folding a conventional rectangular sheet. First, throw the sheet onto the bed. Then use your hands to tuck all the corners in on themselves. Then lay the sheet back down and straighten it. It makes a horseshoe shape with its elastic. Then fold one corner over the top so that all your elastic hangs over one hand. With the other hand grab the other corner so you can lay it down flat in a half moon shape with all the elastic together in one place. Th...
How To: Make mini cotton candy for a doll & dollhouse
Use a q-tip (ones for little kids will have a larger base, but are not required). Put a few drops of red food coloring in a glass of water and stir it up as necessary. Dip q-tip in red water, get it nice and saturated. Remove q-tip and let sit overnight. Cut q-tip in half, then take a small rectangle of paper, apply glue from glue stick to one side, then make a small fold from a corner and roll (this may take some work). Use scissors to cut down to the correct size. Next rub q-tip's cotton si...
How To: Lay tile in the bathroom
This video is from DannyLipford and covers the proper technique to lay tile in the bathroom. The first step is to lay some chalk lines to find the exact center spot of the room. The first tile will be put down diagonally so that the corners sit on the four chalk lines. Next the mastic is put down on the floor for the first tile and the tile is set into place. The process repeats itself until the tiles reach the toilet where some cuts are required. The presenter is using a portable wet saw tha...