Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Sherry asks, “When I read about organic gardening, I see a lot of references to neem oil. What is it, and how do I use it in my garden?”

Neem oil is made from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and is a popular choice for organic insect and disease control. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Wound paints and dressings claim to prevent rot and help trees heal from pruning wounds, but research suggests that in most cases they actually do more harm than good. Read on to find out more about whether you should use wound paint when pruning trees in your yard. Read in full.

Helen asks, “Is it safe to use pre-emergent herbicides around my established bulb beds?”

The short answer is “sometimes,” because in gardening a simple question doesn’t always have a simple answer! Read on to learn more about which weed prevention products are safe to use around bulbs. Read in full.

Tina asks, “My place has been overrun with silverfish. I’m desperate to get rid of them, but I don’t want to use toxic chemicals. Help!”

Silverfish don’t bite, but they’re a creepy nuisance and can be destructive to your belongings. The good news is that some of the less toxic options are the most effective! Read on for some options you can try. Read in full.

This holiday season has proved full of surprises. From the leaking roof to two fender benders in one day to the exploding gingerbread (trust me – the oven will never be the same), life’s lesson plan this season seems stuck on “disaster” of the sort that’s only comical after bolting back a few cups of eggnog. It’s been a season of going with the flow, sometimes clinging to an upside-down canoe. Read in full.

Karen asks, “This year my garden was exposed to the late blight epidemic, and I lost most of my tomatoes. What do I need to do to prevent another outbreak?”

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is like the “flu” of vegetable gardens, and it can wipe out tomato and potato crops in just a couple of weeks. Follow these tips to prevent the spores in your garden. Read in full.

Brown spots in lawns are frustrating to deal with! Just when you think you’ve done everything right, suddenly there’s a patch of grass that’s dead or dying. There are a number of causes of brown spots in lawns, from insects to disease to human error. Read on for a checklist to help you determine the cause in your yard. Read in full.

Mosquitoes are not only annoying, they can also carry serious diseases such as the West Nile virus. While spray on repellents work, they can be messy to use, have an odor, and bring strong chemicals in direct contact with your skin. To keep mosquitoes from ruining your time outdoors, consider an area mosquito repellent like those from ThermaCELL Watch this video.

ThermaCELL mosquito repellent provides an odorless 15’ x 15’ mosquito-free zone around you wherever you go. The butane cartridge inside the unit vaporizes the insecticide on the repellent pad to provide protection in a matter of minutes. ThermaCELL mosquito appliances are available at The Home Depot. Watch this video.

Find out how household products from baby shampoo and corn syrup to sugar and soft drinks can be used to nurture plants and improve soil. Watch this video.