Hour 1
Hear tips for building a raised garden bed, how to determine the best deck height on your mower and more.
Tips for Building a Raised Bed
Raised garden beds allow you to grow a variety of plants and vegetables in a compact and controlled space. However, building a raised garden bed may seem daunting to those new to DIY projects. But fear not! Just follow these tips:
- Use strong wood. I highly recommend using weatherized pressure-treated wood. Just be sure to let the wood season a bit before building the bed so the pressure treatment dries completely. I like to put 4×4 posts in the ground, then put treated plywood around it and add some decorative woodwork for a nice touch. After that, I put landscape fabric on the inside to prevent soil from silting out and to protect the wood from moisture. Once it’s had some time to weather, I stain it to match my fence so it blends in with the yard.
- Make sure you have a water supply close by. I like to use a drip system with a battery-operated timer, as it helps conserve water and ensures that the roots get the moisture they need. Just be sure to water the roots, not the leaves, as watering the leaves can accelerate fungus growth.
- Don’t build it too high. The higher you build the bed, the more soil you’ll need to fill it. I recommend a max height of 16 inches and suggest using our cubic yard calculator to figure out how much you’ll need. Also, here’s a handy design tip: put a 1-by-6 board around the top of the outside of the bed to cap it off. This is perfect for sitting down while you’re weeding and tending to your bed.
- Get the right soil mixture. There are many different opinions on the best soil mixture, but I recommend a triple mixture of high-quality topsoil, compost, and peat moss. Some people like to add sand to increase drainage, but it’s not always necessary.
- Don’t overcrowd the bed. Resist the temptation to put the plants too close together, as they’ll end up working against each other. Alternate the plants a bit to give them some space to grow and thrive.
‘What Height Should I Set My Mower Deck?’
This time of year, many of us spend lots of time taking care of our yards. Well, if it’s worth spending lots of time on it, it’s worth doing right. So, we’re adding a new feature called “Know your Mow” where we share tips and ideas to help you make the most of your lawn.
One of the first lawn care questions people often ask is “what height should I set the mower deck?” The answer to that question really shouldn’t be based on personal preference, but instead on “what is the healthiest height for the type of grass that you’re mowing.”
Some warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia thrive best when mowed around one-and-a-half inches. Some tall, cool-season varieties like Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass work better around three inches.
The point is you should ask a local nurseryman, who’s familiar with your type of grass and your climate, what’s ideal. If you don’t know what type you have, dig up a clump and take it to them so they can identify it.
Mowing your lawn at the correct height will allow it to capture the sunlight and rain that the root system needs to fight off disease and deal with drought. While the height at which you cut is important, it’s also important how much you remove in each mowing.
For any grass, it’s important to never cut more than a third of the blade off at one time. Anymore can be a shock to the lawn which will hamper its growth and overall health.
So, mow frequently and mow at the right height.
This “Know your Mow” segment is sponsored by Exmark.
Hour 2
Hear some creative uses for sawdust, how to mount a TV on a stone fireplace, what to do if cold air is infiltrating your range hood vent and more.
Creative Uses for Sawdust
A homeowner says, “I finally got busy and cleaned out my woodshop, now I have half a barrel of sawdust. It’s a mixture of everything — plywood, cedar, pine. Tell us the best way to dispose of that sawdust.”
As long as the sawdust isn’t from pressure-treated wood, there are plenty of ways you can reuse it around your home. Pressure-treated wood has toxic chemicals like chromated copper arsenate (CCA), creosote, and pentachlorophenol (PCP), so it cannot be composted or burned without releasing toxins and must be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility.
Here are some ways you can use it:
- Improve soil aeration by adding it to your planting beds.
- Add it to your compost bin to help create rich, fertile compost.
- Use it as mulch to smother weeds. Simply put a thick layer on any areas you want to keep weed-free, cover it with newspaper, and add another inch of sawdust on top.
- Mix sawdust with glue to create a wood filler. Mix it to a toothpaste-like consistency and apply it to holes and cracks. Once it dries, sand it to create a smooth finish.
Mounting a TV to a Stone Fireplace
A homeowner is wanting to mount a 65-inch TV over his stone fireplace, and he says, “The stone pieces are not flush, and I was wondering if I should hire a professional, or if there are some special drill bits to do this.”
The key to mounting a TV over a stone fireplace is the mounting bracket. You need to get a substantial mounting bracket that will mount to the stone and be compatible with your TV.
When mounting it on the stone, take the time to find the best location for that bracket to go against the stone. Hold it up and see if you can find a moderately flat area. If the stone isn’t quite flat, don’t worry about it. I’ve actually taken a grinding wheel to grind down the stone a bit to create a more flat surface.
In most cases with stone veneer, it’s not much more than a couple of inches thick. So, I would recommend drilling through the stone and into the drywall and getting into a stud if it’s possible. If not, use a substantial hollow wall anchor or molly bolt, and use all four holes available.
Another way to do it is to fasten the mount to the highest part of the stone using the correct anchor. Then, at the other end where the stone will be recessed, slip a shim behind the screws or stack some washers behind it to even it out. If there’s a high spot in the middle, then you’ll need to grind down the high spot or put shims behind each end.
If this seems a bit daunting, call a professional to mount it.
Preventing Cold Air from Infiltrating an External Exhaust Vent
A homeowner asks, “What’s the best product to use for not letting cold air in the winters of Illinois come into the house when I vent my range hood to the exterior of the house?”
If you already have an exhaust fan like a vent hood or a bathroom exhaust fan, it should generally have a damper built into the unit itself. However, sometimes these dampers don’t work like they should, which can let in unwanted cold air and even insects.
To check if your damper is working properly, take the grill off the ceiling and remove the motor. You should be able to see if the damper is closing off the cold air and preventing insects from getting inside. If it’s not, you may need to replace the damper or the entire unit.
If your range hood vents to the outside of your home, there should also be an exterior damper. It’s important to check this damper as well, as it can also let in cold air and pests if it’s not functioning properly. Make sure it’s closing off the vent when the range hood is not in use.
In addition to checking the dampers, you may also want to consider installing an air-sealing product like a vent hood cover or a damper insulation kit. These products can help prevent air leaks and improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Best New Products
Closet Evolution Ultimate Closet Kit
When it comes to home organization, closets are often an afterthought. Most homes are built with a minimum of planning and materials in these spaces, often consisting of just a wire shelf and a hanging rod.
This is where the Closet Evolution Ultimate Closet Kit comes in. It’s a perfect solution for homeowners who want to upgrade their closet without having to invest a lot of time or money in a custom design.
The Closet Evolution Ultimate Closet Kit is designed to fit closets ranging from four to eight-feet wide, making it a versatile solution for a variety of spaces. All of the components hang on the wall, which means you don’t have to remove any baseboards during installation. This makes it an easy as well as an efficient project that can be completed in just a few hours.
Installation is straightforward and simple, with rods and shelves that can be cut to fit your existing space. Once installed, the kit provides a full-width shelf, four hanging rods, three two-foot shelves, and four two-foot drawers. This means you’ll have plenty of storage options for all your clothes, shoes, and accessories.
One of the best features of the Closet Evolution Ultimate Closet Kit is its durable scratch-resistant laminate surface. This ensures that your closet will remain in great condition for years to come, even with daily use. And because the kit is made from high-quality materials, you can trust that it will provide a sturdy and reliable storage solution.
Listen to learn all about this Best New Product!
Find the Closet Evolution Ultimate Closet Kit at The Home Depot.
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Simple Solutions
DIY Composting Bin — Composting bins can be expensive, so I decided to make one from an old plastic trashcan. Here’s how:
- Drill 5/8-inch holes on the bottom and outside of the can for drainage and ventilation.
- Set the bin on blocks or bricks, so the air can circulate.
Watch: How to Build a Compost Bin: 2 DIY Alternatives
Clay Pot Tips — Clay flowerpots are affordable and attractive, but they can also be detrimental to plants. That’s because the porous nature of clay absorbs water away from the plants, causing them to suffer, especially during the summer.
Here are two ways to help clay pots retain moisture:
- Brush a coat of exterior-grade varnish onto the inside of the pot.
- Stuff a sponge into the bottom of the pot.
