Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Hummingbird feeders have to be cleaned and refilled regularly, since the sugar solution ferments quickly outdoors. Rather than going to extra lengths boiling and cooling the solution, I’ve developed a system that gets fresh nectar to my birds in five minutes flat, so you can refresh it easily as needed. Got your stopwatch ready? Read more to find out how. Read in full.

A dripper is a great addition to the birdbath in your garden. The sound attracts birds, and the rippling water prevents mosquitoes from breeding, making your birdbath the freshest, busiest one in the neighborhood! Read on to find out how to make your own birdbath dripper out of recycled materials that will save on water usage while still providing birds with the moving water they enjoy. Read in full.

Brett asks, “During this latest cold snap, my koi fish pond has threatened to freeze over. What should I do?”

Ice by itself is not dangerous to koi, as long as your pond is deep enough not to freeze completely. The danger to fish comes with the reduced oxygen and increased toxic gases caused by the sealed over water surface. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Overwintering birds greatly appreciate a year-round supply of fresh water. But if you live in an area with extended freezing temperatures, you may find that your birdbath or water feature freezes over rather quickly. Read more for some tips on taking care of a birdbath during the winter. Read in full.

It’s a wonder cats and dogs can contain themselves at all at Christmastime, with all those climbable branches, swattable glittery baubles, and scented chewable branches! Many an animal lover has given up on Christmas trees until their pets grow out of their curiosity, but there are some things you can do to keep your pets (and decorations!) safe this holiday season. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

As you clean up your garden this fall, don’t forget the birds! Leave some seed heads to dry on your perennial flowers, to provide winter food for finches, cardinals, and other year-round birds. Read on for some popular garden plants that are great for feeding the birds. Read in full.

If you live in an area with foraging deer, you’ve likely watched with dismay as some of your favorite plants disappear overnight. But before you give up on gardening altogether, try making your yard less appealing to deer by choosing plants that deer find less appealing. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

It’s a magical feeling to encounter a graceful deer, peacefully browsing . . . unless your beloved hostas are what’s for breakfast! Whether you live in the country or the city, foraging deer can cause significant damage to landscapes and vegetable gardens. Read on to find out how to protect your yard or garden. Read in full.

Fall is the active season for some of the larger species of garden spiders. Here are some thoughts about how to make peace with (and even enjoy) the spiders in your yard. Read in full.

This summer has been an unusual one for me. Normally, my natural states of being include “working,” “sleeping,” and “sometimes some other stuff.” This summer, however, I’ve got a cast on my foot, which means I’m spending a good deal of time in a chair on the porch with nothing to do but redefine myself. I’ve been forced to change the pace, and it’s giving me some wonderful insights about my own little patch of earth. Read in full.