Hot Home & Garden How-Tos
How To: Prepare garden soil for planting
Southwest Yard and Garden teaches viewers how to prepare garden soil for planting. You can use compost to work this into your soil. You can make your own compost and you can also buy compost. First, you can use a flat bladed spade or a sharp shooter spade to double dig your garden soil. First, you should dig double deep into the soil and turn the soil to the side. What you want to do is dig a trench. Go back to the beginning of the trench and dig a second depth. You will want to get below the...
How To: Use plastic row covers & wall of water for plants
This video demonstrates how to use plastic row covers and wall of water to start plants early. A lot of gardeners want to start their planting early if the weather is nice. But they may be subject to some frost still yet. How can they protect their plants? First is a demonstration of how to use a spun bond polyester like material. It is breathable, rather than using clear plastic, so the plants don't cook on warmer days. Then the video shows how to use a wall of water to start a few plants ea...
How To: Use recycled paper in compost at home
Southwest Yard and Garden shows viewers how to use recycled paper in compost! In order to compost paper you should first shred up the paper into pieces. Then you need to work in the paper into the soil or sand. You should work the paper into the soil in equal parts. Make sure you mix nitrogen into this composting paper. You need to mix nitrogen into it or it will not decompose and the process will not be fed. So first mix your paper with soil and sprinkle in nitrogen. You also need to water t...
How To: Identify problems with euonymus, chinese holly & pines
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to identify problems with euonymus, Chinese holly & pines. Japonica plant is very susceptible to powdery mildew which shows up as white spots on the leaves. It also affects some other plants like roses. This will discolor and deform the leaves. You need to spray with recommended fungicide. If the disease has gone too deep into the plant, you may have to remove some badly affected foliage and then spray. You may also think of replacing th...
How To: Plant asparagus
Southwest Yard and Garden teaches viewers how to plant asparagus! First, in your garden you need to dig a trench that is about 8 inches deep. You should mix up some compost into this trench. Choose an asparagus that has a fern and make sure you choose a variety that is a male hybrid. These are more tolerant of other problems such as wilt. Simply, plant these 8 inches deep but do not cover them fully. Cover them gradually and cover it as it grows highly. Make sure your roots are laying horizon...
How To: Care for a garden in february during dormant season
John White, a Doña Ana County Extension Agent, highlights a new section on the show - a monthly checklist for the garden. This time, he talks about what to do in your garden in the month of February. The checklist includes planting dormant plants, pruning with a purpose and applying herbicides and pesticides. He shows us various types of dormant plants that can be purchased from nurseries in February for planting such as potted, bare-root or root-balled plants wrapped in burlap. As for prunin...
How To: Identify and control the pine tip moth
This is a tutorial for controlling the Pine tip moth. Identifying and controlling the pine tip moth consists of studying the small plants of pine. The attacks on pine trees is caused by Nantucket pine tree moth found along the Rio Grande Valley as far north as Espanola, it has spread to South Arizona and California by importing grafts from Mexico. The moths are 3/8 inch long reddish brown to grey in color. They attack the main stem of the baby plant and the pines instead of growing vertical g...
How To: Pick and care for poinsettias
Learn how to choose and care for poinsettias with Southwest Yard and Garden's John White. You will be taken through the typical height and specifications for poinsettias, as well as what to look for in the leaves and flowers. One of the most important parts of growing poinsettias is keeping to a specific schedule. Measuring the plants is also important as plants that are too tall or too short are undesirable. Remember to frequently water the plants, but be careful not to overwater. Also, keep...
How To: Install a lawn irrigation system
In this how-to video, you will learn how to install a lawn irrigation system. You must have a digital controller with an AV program. This controls the zones at which the water comes on. These can save you a lot on water use. The controller controls the valve which accesses the water. Make sure all your sprinkler heads are all the same. There are different types of heads, each serving for different situations. Backflow preventers are needed as well, as they prevent contaminants from going back...
How To: Propagate iceplants and african violets
to transfer ice plants, take a Styrofoam cup with holes in bottom and sides for drainage. fill cup with potting soil. place cuttings of ice plants into pot, about 2-3 cuttings per cup. keep moist. for African violets, snap off an entire leaf including the stem. fill a Styrofoam cup with water. cover with saran wrap with a rubber band around the edge to keep it tight. cover completely with aluminum foil to keep inside of cup dark. place hole in center of plastic/aluminum foil with a pencil. pl...
How To: Identify problems with a ground covering juniper
This video illustrate us how to identify problems with ground covering junipers .Here are the following steps .step 1: First of all look through the whole plant and see whether there is any browning or fall of leaf, if so then this may be due to water logging as these plants are good for soil with well seepage and lots of sun.Step 2: Look whether the leafs are free of all the bacterial and fungal infection.Step 3: Look whether there are any spider mites present, if so remove them.Step 4: Look...
How To: Wash your windows with a mop and squeegee like a pro
This video shows how to wash your windows with a mop and squeegee like a pro.This process includes the following steps,Step 1Take a bucket and a mop.Step 2Fill water in the bucket and put the mop in the bucket to wet it.Step 3Take some liquid soap and apply it on the mop and then clean the windows with this mop.Step 4Now rinse the mop in the bucket and squeeze it well so that the soap is drained out of it.Step 5Now clean the windows with this mop, rinse the mop in water again and squeeze it.S...
How To: Identify fall web worms in trees
Curtis Smith (Extension Horticulturist) and Rick Daniell (Bernalillo Co. Horticulture Agent) examine the bark of a poplar tree. The young bark is smooth and will furrow as it grows older. There are straight horizontal lines on the bark that look like sap-sucker damage but in this case, the markings on the poplar is the normal bark development of the poplar. They also look at and discuss Fall Web Worm cocoons which look like bird nests on a tree. Web worms do not do as much damage to the tree ...
How To: Install gutter guards for less mess
In this tutorial, we learn how to install a gutter guard. First, clean out your gutters of any rocks or leaves that may be inside of them. Next, gran the gutter guard and place it between your roof and the gutter. Gutter guard is a mesh type of metal that is flexible and easy to use. Now, take your gutter guard and place it on a long and thin piece of wood so it gets to be the same shape as the wood. Now, take the gutter guard and place it into your gutter. This is a great way to keep your gu...
How To: Identify problems squash, melons, & chile plants
This video answers some questions on how to identify some of the problems that occur in vegetable gardens: for example, if there are missing leaves on your tomato plant, then it is an indication that they are being eaten by something. In some cases, this pest is the Tomato Hornworm. The Mosaic Virus and Curly Top and Tomato Spotted Wilt also attacks tomato plants.
How To: Identify problems with vegetable plants
Curtis Smith, Extension Horticulturist with Southwest Yard and Garden, and Rick Daniell, Bernalillo County Horticultural Agent, discuss how to identify problems with vegetable plants in your garden. Gray or white spots on a squash leaf are natural if they do not rub off. Blossom end rot can afflict tomatoes, squash, chilies and melons. Blossom end rot indicates a calcium deficiency during times of vigorous growing during uneven watering. Fertilize when the plants are young. Sun scald can affl...
How To: Use chickens to control garden pests in orgainic farms
Curtis Smith provides information on how to use chickens to control garden pests. Using chickens keeps the use of pesticides to a minimum and keeps plants healthier. In the organic garden, chickens are used because they'll eat any insect as well. The process is known as Integrated Pest Management, Curtis explains that its basically knowing your pest. It also reduces the amount of feed that has to be purchased for the chickens because they're eating the insects in the garden. It also controls ...
How To: Build a home garden in a small space
This video explains how to build a home garden in a small space. The video begins with the first small garden example being show, this garden contains corn, tomatoes and summer squash. It is explained that it is very important to shake and loosen the pollen buds on many of the plants to ensure proper pollination. The second small garden shown consisted of tomatoes and various pepper breads. The need to loosen pollen and allow the wind to help the plants get on pollen on the female buds. It is...
How To: Make a cheap compost roller
This video explains how to make an inexpensive compost roller. The video begins with a composed pile shown covered with a tarp to keep rain away from. The materials needed for this project consists of 3" barrel nuts(2), 3" hinges(3) and machine screws(3pk) from a local Wall-Mart. The tools needed for this project consist of an electric drill with drill bit, screw driver, wrench, jig saw or key saw and a heavy duty utility knife. The compost roller made was just a simple plastic drum with a hi...
How To: Grow potatoes in a 5 gallon bucket
In this video you will learn how to get your potato plant growing using a 5 gallon bucket. Start by taking your 5 gallon bucket and drilling a series of small holes at the bottom for draining. Next line the bottom of your bucket with about 2 inches of rocks to help with drainage and top with a layer of weed block and a couple inches of soil. Now your bucket is ready to add a budded potato. To make your potatoes bud out simply leave them in a bag and place them in the dark for about a month un...
How To: Graft an apple tree
Cityslipper shows you how he uses the cleft grafting method to make a less appealing green apple tree produce better tasting red apples. 10-12 inches long scion wood is collected from the good apple tree while it is dormant. Care is taken not to let the twigs dry out. Selected scions should not have spurs rather they should have leaf buds that lay flat against the twig. A good host twig on a healthy-looking branch should be selected. A clean cut should be made with the fine teeth of a grafing...
How To: Identify problems with the spruce tree
The first thing you have to understand is that the damage that comes to the spruce is mainly from the weather, moths, and caterpillars. The caterpillars and moths dry out the tree slowly, sometimes it is not noticed until the tree is on the verge of dying. One way to make sure this doesn't happen is to look under the spruce branches and the underside of the plant. You will be able to notice when it is getting withered by caterpillar accumulation. If there is a lot of caterpillars of the grayi...
How To: Identify pecan problems
Master Gardener Valois Pearce advises how to identify problems with pecans. 1. Look for webworms. One control is to cut the branch off if you can. You can break the web with a strong blast of water. 2. Shiny leaves indicate there may be a problem with Aphids. 3. Check for Pecan-nut Casebearer. Should you decide to use insecticide for any of these problems, please check with your local county extension office to confirm spray dates. Even with these precautions trees normally do not give a hund...
How To: Remove carpet to install concrete floors
Bob Harris of decorative concrete institute explains how you can remove your tiled or carpeted flooring for a concrete substitute. He suggests when your removing carpeting that it can be very heavy and advises you to hire someone who can lift and carry it out, or rent a dumpster for easy take away. He states that after the carpet is removed you'll need to remove the adhesive from the floor. You can do this by stripping or grinding, and at other times the use of harsh chemicals may be needed. ...
How To: Remove permanent marker stains from a whiteboard
In this how-to video, you will learn how to remove permanent marker sharpie marks off a whiteboard. This is useful if someone accidentally used one on the dry erase board. To erase the marks, you will need a regular dry erase marker. Color over the top of the permanent marker thoroughly with the dry erase marker. Next, take a rag and wipe the marks off the board. Both markers will come off easily. The color of the markers do not matter at all. This video shows you a simple way to deal with th...
How To: Pick a door lock
Arthur Cavallin demonstrates how to pick a door lock. To pick a lock, you will need to push up the pins and align them so that the mechanism will open. You will need a tension wrench which you can make with an alan key. You will also need a lock pick which you can make out of a hacksaw blade. Use the tension wrench to apply pressure to the front pin. Then, use the lock pick to push up the back pins. You can also use a quick raking technique to push the pins in. Insert the tension wrench into ...
How To: Choose between a fireplace or fire pit
How to choose between a fireplace or a fire pit
How To: Identify tree damage from a natural gas leak
In this how-to video, you will learn how to indicate if tree damage has occurred due to a natural gas leak. In this example, a Mexican Elder tree has been damaged by the gas leak. You can tell by the brown leaves. The plastic around the soil has trapped the gas in the soil, cutting off the oxygen from the tree. The Indian Hawthorne in this example has also been damaged. There is some foliage burn on the leaves. The bush will have to be trimmed back in order to save it. There are several plant...
How To: Remove permanent marker stains with toothpaste
This shows viewers how to remove permanent marker stains using toothpaste. First, you will want to do this in a bathroom or kitchen. Fill up a cup just barely with water. This should only be about 1 cm deep or full in the cup. Next, you will need to different kinds of toothpaste, preferably one a gel and another the average paste. Now, put the toothpaste into the cup, about quarter size, and use your finger or any tool to mix this with the water. Next, you'll want to put this mixture onto the...
How To: Pick out an ornamental grass for landscape
This video shows us several types of ornamental grass that can be used in landscape projects. Although none of these grasses are appropriate for use in lawns, they are great options for those who are concerned about water conservation. Ricegrass is a bunch grass with long stems and silver heads. It is a cool-season grass and will go dormant in hot weather. Little Bluestem grows quickly in the Spring and is known for its variety of colors including blue, green, and yellow. Giant Sacaton is a g...
How To: Make compost from homehold kitchen scraps
This video shows you how to make compost from organic debris in the garden and leftover food.To make compost, you must add organic debris or scraps of food to such as pine needles, leaves or fruits to your compost bin. You should use horse or cow manure to speed up the process. You can also use nitrogen fertilizers as long as they do not contain herbicides. Then add water to the whole mixture.It is recommended that the compost bin should be about 3 feet high and 3 feet wide in order to insula...
How To: Protect your plants from frost
An associate from Garden Years discusses the danger frost poses to small, outdoor plants. Since you don't have a lot of control over the weather, there are a few tips you can follow to try an avoid any unwanted damage to existing plants. The host examines a peach tree to identify when a plant is blooming and thus very delicate. If a plant is fully blooming, then any temperature below freezing (32 f) can damage the blossoms. Aside from putting cloth over the plant, mulch is also very helpful i...
How To: Choose the right tree for New Mexico gardens
Curtis Smith, Extension Horticulturist, and Jeff Hart of the Albuquerque Parks Department discuss the types of trees that grow in Albuquerque.
How To: Thoroughly clean tile grout
In this video Rich explains how to maintain a grout and tile floor. He uses a chemical cleaner which he describes as a "grout-smart type product." For regular maintenance of the floor Rich recommends using only 1oz of the product per gallon of warm water but for really badly stained floors using up to 12oz per gallon of warm water. Rich mixes the chemical into his water then applies the mixture to the tile using an ordinary deck scrubber, he then uses an angled scrubber which has bristles tha...
How To: Prune a Juniper bonsai
First of all you have to need a bonsai and scissors. In the type of the tree shown in the tutorial which is a fifteen year old, once you have got the branch structure established then you can prune the leaves over it. Start from the bottom branch chop of the leaves that are out of symmetry with your scissors. Cut from the outside to the inside. Now move towards the upper branches. Chop off extra new branches which are coming out from the main branches. Reduce the leaves in a fine length all a...
How To: Repair cut leather on your own
In this how-to video, you will learn how to make a repair in cut leather. This is useful if you have damaged leather you would like to repair yourself. Make a knife cut in the leather, and then cut and place a sew patch into the leather. Push it underneath the leather. Now, glue the sew patch in place with inexpensive craft glue. Rub it around the leather and edges of the cut. Wipe off excess glue with a damp cloth and wait until it dries. Place something heavy on it for a good amount of time...
How To: Germinate Japanese maple seeds
Ken Alston shows how to germinate Japanese maple tree seeds. The most important thing is to always buy fresh seeds. Seeds that are bought on eBay or other unreliable sellers are dry and lifeless and the chances of germination are not very good. The video shows the huge difference between the dry seeds and the fresh seeds. On the fresh seeds you can see that the roots are already out and in some cases the leaves are out, so from this point the rest is easy. Have little seed pots ready, make sm...
How To: Identify wire colors and do some basic home wiring
If you have never dealt with wire color-coding then Old64goat takes you through a very elementary tutorial that will give you the helpful aid needed to deal with common household wires. The first cord that is reviewed is the three pronged cord. The color wires contained within it is the green wire which is the ground prong, the white wire which is neutral, and the black wire which is the heat. Old64goat then demonstrates where the wires are connected to on the prong. He even gives out helpful...
How To: properly mow your lawn and use different mowers
This video gives you several important do's and don'ts when it comes to mowing your lawn. It starts out by going through a couple different types of mowers, including a manual mower, which has blades on the bottom that are turned from the motion of pushing the mower. He then gives you a tip for how high to keep your grass. Make sure you only take off 1/3 of the length of the grass at a time or it will leave your grass very unhealthy. After you cut your grass, if you've only taken that third o...
How To: Make cheap seed planters for a small kitchen garden
In this how-to video, you will learn how to make a simple cost-saving planter for a small kitchen garden. First you will need a plastic milk jug. Cut at the opening of the jug and split it in half vertically. Next, place soil inside the half of the jug. Water this part well, but do not have a standing puddle underneath the jug. Use a chopstick to poke holes into the soil. This will allow you to plant about 35 seeds in the plastic planter. Viewing this video will show you the easiest way to ma...