Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Ken asks, “What is the best grass to plant in sandy soil that will withstand drought?”

Sandy soil increases the effects of drought by draining water rapidly, which makes it more difficult for lawn grass to survive without regular irrigation. Here are some suggestions for grasses that are better suited to these conditions. Read in full.

Carol asks, “A hard freeze is in my weather forecast. What are your recommendations about watering trees and shrubs in cold weather?”

In winter, the dry conditions can be more damaging than the cold itself. Learn how to water your plants properly when freezing weather approaches. Read in full.

Kurt asks, “Is there a way I can make my own swimming pool antifreeze for buried lines?”

Pool antifreeze is generally a propylene glycol solution, sometimes mixed with alcohol or other additives and sometimes just diluted with water. Read more to find out where to purchase it. Read in full.

Because of chronic drought conditions, my community has been under mandatory water restrictions for well over a year – something that is new to this part of the country. I find it interesting to contemplate how reality can force us to make changes that otherwise we’d dismiss as “good ideas, for somebody else or some other time.” Read in full.

Drip irrigation is one of the most efficient methods of watering, since it is delivered gradually and targets plants directly. This conserves water by minimizing waste through evaporation and overspray. Watch this video.

Larry asks, “I have an outdoor leaking water pipe underground. How do I repair it?”

Assuming that you’ve located the site of the leak, and it’s a pipe on the meter side of your house, the DIY option would be to dig a trench around the leak, repair the pipe, refill the hole, and patch the damage to your landscape. Here’s how to go about it. Read in full.

If a drought-tolerant garden makes you think of cacti and rock gardens, then think again – there are many colorful and lush choices that are perfect for a low-maintenance, water-conserving landscape. As parts of the country experience a reduction in rainfall or restrictions on water use, drought-tolerance has become an increasingly desirable characteristic in cultivated plants. Read in full.

House plants in containers depend on us for food and water, so it’s important to recognize the warning signs indicating that they have received either too much or too little water. Watch this video.

In our changing climate, water is becoming a precious resource. For many communities, municipal water restrictions are now commonplace, requiring innovative approaches to landscaping and gardening. One solution is xeriscaping, derived from the Greek word for “dry,” which employs drought resistant plants and water conservation measures to limit the use of irrigation in landscaping. Read in full.