Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Denny asks, “My neighbor cut down a tree, and the landscape company gave us the resulting wood mulch. Is there a way to color it to match my existing cedar mulch?”

There are some spray-on products designed to refresh the color of faded mulch, but it would be hard to color an entire load of mulch with them. Read on for a more environmentally friendly solution. Read in full.

This eco-friendly home makes use of green landscaping techniques, including native plants, a permeable flagstone patio to allow it to absorb the runoff from the roof, and a water saving irrigation system. Watch the video to learn more. Watch this video.

Retaining walls can be a great way to help with erosion and create a beautiful, usable garden space. Thanks to interlocking, stackable blocks, the project can be completed in a weekend. Building a retaining wall is a lot of work, but it’s something most homeowners can handle, as long as you’re able to do some heavy lifting and are willing to get dirty. Here’s what you need to know to build your own stackable block retaining wall. Read in full.

Carl Jauernig of Wausau, Wisconsin, sent us this solution for keeping the grass growing under a chain link fence at bay. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

This past weekend, I had the fun of visiting my alma mater and was up to my ears in nostalgia, and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Back then, I was too focused on organic chemistry to have too many other conscious thoughts, but I must admit I always had a nagging question as I walked through the gardens on my way to class: “Who did this?” Which was followed by the realization that, I wanted to do it, too. Read in full.

Landscape fabric and plastic can help prevent weeds and control erosion by holding the soil in place and keeping weeds from sprouting. It’s easy to install, and we’ll tell you how, step-by-step, including some important information you need to know about the products that are available. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Judy asks, “What causes the water in outdoor fountains to look foamy? I have a concrete fountain in my garden, and the water appears full of foam or suds. Any advice?”

Foam is a common problem in both indoor and outdoor fountains. Here are some tips for getting rid of it. Read in full.

James asks, “I’ve heard that mulch made from cocoa beans can be toxic to animals. Is there any truth to that?”

According to a 2003 study by the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, cocoa bean mulch can be toxic to animals. Like chocolate, cocoa bean mulch contains theobromide, a chemical that is very hard for many animals to metabolize. Read in full.

The end of the holiday season doesn’t have to be the end of your holiday decorations. Christmas trees, wreaths, and garland may be a bit dried out, but they can still serve a purpose in the garden. Rather than throwing your holiday decorations in the trash, consider recycling them in the garden and allowing them to return to the earth in a natural way. Here are some tips and ideas for recycling your holiday greenery. Read in full.

Mrs. T. asks, “I have a small planting area with perennials that is currently mulched with ½” gravel. I would like to add an insulating mulch under the stones. Should I remove the stones first? Or can I layer mulch and new stones on top of the old ones?”

Usually it’s best to use only one type of mulch, but there are exceptions. Read more to find out what they are. Read in full.