Expert Advice on Home Improvement TV Host of Emmy®-Nominated Today's Homeowner® and home expert for The Weather Channel

While considered a rather extreme measure, pruning the roots of a tree or shrub can sometimes shock it into blooming. Learn how to go about it and when you should and shouldn’t attempt it on your plants.

“I just moved into a rental house and the flower beds are pretty bad. I need a cheap solution which preferably does not involved plants or flowers, as I don’t want to have to maintain them, to make the front of my house presentable. Any ideas?” -Mike

The easiest way to make your flower beds look nice and neat, without even needing plants, is with mulch. First pull out any weeds, grass, or brush. Then put down some landscape fabric or plastic, to keep weeds from sprouting. Finally, put down a thick layer of the mulch of your choice. You’ll be amazed how it makes an area look “tended.”

BJ asks, “We had beautiful hostas for two years under our shade trees. For the most part, they are now nonexistent – the few that continue to come up have stunted leaves. I’ve wondered if they are intolerant of the heat, since I’m at the warmest end of the recommended planting zones (zone 10)?”

Barbara asks, “Many years ago I used gypsum pellets to break up clay soil. We can not find them anymore but the problem of the hard packed clay soil still exists. Is there a different product that will solve this problem?”