Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Instead of sending your leaves to the landfill, consider recycling them to feed the plants in your garden. Leaves are a great, free source of nutrients and insulation for your garden if used correctly, and you can keep your lawn neat while still allowing nature to work its magic. Read on to find out how to recycle the leaves in your yard. Read in full.

Madison asks, “Why are many fertilizer bags labeled ‘phosphorus free’? I thought phosphorus was one of the three important nutrients for plants?”

You’re right that phosphorus is an important nutrient, but fertilizers containing phosphorus are a major source of groundwater contamination. Read more to find out when to use phosphorus in your garden. 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.

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.

Brenda asks, “We have an enormous number of caterpillars in our yard this spring. Why is this and how do we control them?”

Not all caterpillars are the same, and not all are considered pests. Before you do anything about your caterpillars, you need to ask the following questions. Read on to find out more. 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.

Adding compost to your soil is one of the best ways to improve your garden. Make a compost pile from a mixture of organic matter—such as leaves, grass clippings, vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Turn the pile once a week with a pitchfork to introduce oxygen, and keep it covered with plastic to hold in moisture and heat. Adding worms to the pile speeds up the process. Watch this video.

Ray asks, What is the best way to get rid of fleas in your backyard?

Considering their four-stage life cycle and the fact that one flea can produce a trillion offspring in less than a year, getting rid of a flea infestation can be quite a challenge! Read on to find out how. Read in full.

The big news as we kick off the first show of the season is…I’ve got worms! A new feature in the show is our Thinking Green, and the first topic is about composting. I did a lot of researching on the web about composting, and every place I turned mentioned the benefit of including red worms in your compost pile. Read in full.

Ask most any gardener whether they prefer organic or chemical fertilizer, and chances are you’ll spark a lively debate. Even though both contain needed nutrients, there are significant differences between them in terms of the long-term effects on soil, plants, and the environment. Read on to find out why. Read in full.