Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Susan asks, “I’m having a serious problem with ladybugs. Do you have any ideas for ridding my home of these beautiful but pesky insects?”

For many homeowners, the battle against ladybugs is a yearly chore without a satisfying solution. Prevention, along with regular removal, is the best strategy. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Rainfall is scarce in July, and soaring temperatures can cause your garden and lawn to slow down and conserve energy. Vegetable gardens kick into high gear and need some extra attention to stay happy. Other plants in your garden can benefit from special treatment as well. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Comfort is key for outdoor activities so go prepared. Remember to drink fluids, wear sunscreen, and bring an area mosquito repellent. ThermaCELL mosquito repellents are 98% effective in fighting mosquitoes, black flies and no see-ums, and they create a 15′ x 15′ comfort zone from biting insects. Read in full.

I’m a little embarrassed to tell this story, but here it is. This is an African violet, one of a trio of violets that I’ve grown rather unsuccessfully for years. African Violets are known to be a little fussy, but I thought I was doing everything right, yet they sat there stubbornly, season after season, refusing to bloom. Read in full.

Brenda asks, “When it rains, the water runs toward the house and foundation, causing flooding. The cost of professional grading is prohibitive. Any ideas?”

A French drain around the perimeter of your house would be a great, inexpensive way to divert water runoff without having to regrade the entire yard. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

If you’re looking to add color and life to your garden, perennials are a great long term investment that won’t break your budget. A well planned perennial garden offers a constantly changing variety of flowers for years to come, making it well worth the initial time and work involved. Read more to find out how to plan, plant, and care for perennials in your garden. Read in full.

Every day this week, I’ve been watching a small opossum who’s been happily waddling around my back yard and munching on the mulberries. He’s a cute little fella, probably too young to realize he’s nocturnal, but I was so puzzled by his recent – and regular – visits that I decided to tiptoe out with my video camera to investigate. Here’s what I found. Read in full.

Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that transform from bare winter stalks into lush, green branches dripping with blooms in summer. Hydrangeas make a great addition to landscape borders, and the blossoms are gorgeous as cut or dried flowers. Here are some tips for growing this eye-catching plant in your yard. Read in full.

Steve asks, “I built a retaining wall out of stackable blocks last year, and they are turning white and chalky-looking. Can you help?”

Those powdery white stains on your blocks are likely caused by efflorescence. As concrete cures, the moisture slowly migrates to the surface of the block bringing dissolved salts and minerals with it. Read in full.

Composting lawn and garden waste is a great way to obtain organic material for your garden while reducing the environmentally negative aspects of trucking yard waste to the landfill. This DIY compost bin is easy to build and made from pressure treated wood so it will last for many years to come. Read in full.