Expert Advice on Home Improvement

More and more people are using raised beds in their gardens. The main advantage is you can completely control the quality of the soil you have to work with. It is suggested you scar the existing ground before you build a raised bed. Watch this video.

Looking for a place to start your seeds? How about in 2-liter plastic bottles? To keep the roots from being exposed to direct sunlight use colored bottles. Measure up 6-inches from the bottom of a 2-liter bottle and make a mark. Watch this video.

Vines make a great addition to a trellis or lattice but they do require some attention. Lawn and garden expert Tricia Craven-Worley explains that the trick is early attention. “The saying about vines” she says, “is the first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, and the third year it leaps.” Watch this video.

The best way to collect seeds is to leave them on the plants to dry out or cut off the stems with the seeds still on the flower or pod. Tie a brown paper bag around the stem and hang them upside down. Be sure not to use a plastic bag as it can retain moisture and cause the seeds to rot. Watch this video.

Maintaining your metal garden tools is important. Tools that have become rusty probably haven’t been cleaned at the end of the day. Brush off all dirt and debris and make sure the surfaces of the tools are dry before you store them. By simply adding a little lubricant to the edges and surfaces of your loppers, trowels and shovels and then wiping them with a soft cloth you can help prevent the surfaces from rusting. Watch this video.

Certain times of the year nurseries will have bare root trees such as fruit trees and roses. Late winter and early spring are great times to find and purchase these. The nursery will typically have them in wood chips which need to be completely removed before planting so that they do not rob the tree of nutrients. Watch this video.

If you’re about to recycle your old plant containers here’s a tip to keep in mind. Diseases and fungus can be transmitted from one plant to another through contaminated pots, so before you reuse a pot sanitize it. Watch this video.

Accidentally rip a branch off your favorite bush? If it came off with a tiny bit of the main branch, you can use it to start a new shrub. Trim the bark “heel” down a bit and remove any leaves from the bottom half of the shoot. Dip the tip in rooting hormones, tap off any extra powder and plant it in a sterile mix of sand and peat moss. Watch this video.

If your home has a steep sloping lot, you know how difficult landscaping can be. Terraces and retaining walls offer help but they can be expensive. The best solution is to have plants growing in the ground to hold soil. Watch this video.

Shady, hilly areas are great for groundcover plants because they hold and protect the soil without the benefit of lots of sun. Plants like adjuga and jasmine are ideal, but the important thing is to space them properly. Check with nurseries or garden centers to find out their size at maturity. This is important because some groundcover, like juniper, can spread to as much as six feet across. Watch this video.