Hot Gardening How-Tos

How To: Put together a Zen garden

Zen gardens and gardening are serene places and activities. If you want to make your own Zen garden and add some harmony to your life, watch this video to learn some general guidelines for going about it. These tips are for full-size Zen gardens, not the desktop models.

How To: Properly care for an indoor saintpaulia flowering plant (African violet)

Taking care of houseplants is a tough job, especially if you have more than one kind, because the proper, healthy growing conditions can become muddled. If one of your houseplants is a African violet, which is a saintpaulia flowering plant, then this video will help you take care of it for a thriving plant that will surely brighten up any room. Learn about picking the right environment, watering, fertilizing and keeping pests away.

How To: Build your own hydroponics system

In this tutorial, we learn how to build your own hydroponics system. To do this, you will need: square line rain gutter, 6x end caps, 3x gutter running outlet, 1x small pond pump, 2 meters pond pump tubing, timber for framework, large plastic container, and gutter leaf guard. When you start, you will need to measure out how tall your pump will need to be, then build the framework to surround it. Then, grab all your gutter parts and put them together. Once you do this, start to set up all the ...

How To: Fertilize your lawn

In this video, we learn how to fertilize your lawn. First, you need to pick out what kind of fertilizer you need. You need to know how to read the numbers that are on the bag, so you can choose the right kind for you. After this, go to the store and look at the different fertilizers that are in stock. Look at the back of the bag and read to see if it's the correct type for your project. After this, look up the right time to apply the fertilizer to your project. When spreading it, make sure it...

How To: Choose the plants best suited to your home garden

So you want to start a home garden in your backyard? Make sure you pick the best plants and flowers for your garden by considering climate, soil composition and growing seasons for what you want to cultivate. Know the difference between annuals and perennials, and master home gardening techniques so your garden can thrive beautifully!

How To: Help seeds grow faster by nicking them

Most seeds have a thick outer shell meant to protect the soft inner seed. 'Nicking' is a gardening technique to remove the outer shell so the seed will germinate faster in your garden after planting. You can use water, sandpaper, a nail file or even sulfuric acid to nick your seeds.

How To: Make gardening tomato stakes out of cedar or redwood fence boards

Keeping your garden tomatoes free from pests and insects is no easy task. Luckily you don't have to spend a lot of money to help your tomatoes grow to be their best. Staking your tomatoes will lift them off the ground, away from pesky insects, and protecting them from pests. In this video you'll learn how to make your own garden tomato stakes with cedar or redwood fence boards, which will save you a lot of money in the long run!

How To: Prune rose bushes with bypass pruners

If you're looking for tips on how to prune roses bushes, there's no one better than rose expert Muriel Humenick to show you how it's done. First, she shows you the proper pruning tools you'll need for the rose garden, and the main tools are bypass pruners, but there are others, like loppers, goatskin gloves and an elbow and arm cover. Now that you know the pruning tools, watch and learn the rose pruning process

How To: Effectively water your garden to beat the summer heat

If you're new to gardening, it's important you know some of the best tricks. Not being able to do something properly can result in flowers that may soon die. One thing that is important is watering your plants just right during the summer. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how to effectively water your garden in order to beat the summer heat. Pay attention and good luck!

How To: Transplant raspberry bushes

In this video, we learn how to transplant raspberry bushes. First, you will want to add in soil to your raised bed or garden where you have your other plants. After you get the soil in and have mixed manure in, cut the bands off of your raspberry bushes and put them in a bucket. The bucket should have water and flower food inside of them. After you have placed the flowers into the bucket, you will then be able to place it inside of the soil. Then pour water over your soil and wait for your bu...

How To: Make a yule log for a gift

In this tutorial, Ingrid teaches us how to make a yule log for a gift. First, wrap two pieces of wood together with wire thread. Next, take some raffia and tie it onto the top and bottom of the yule log to give it a rustic look. To warm it up, add in some pine needles to the middle, as well as fur, cedar, and whatever else you find. To make it look more festive, take some red shiny ribbon and tie it onto the top of the pieces of wood like a package. This is inexpensive and useful for anyone t...

How To: Repot a Phalaenopsis orchid in a bark mix

In this tutorial, we learn how to repot a phalaenopsis orchid in a bark mix. First, take out all the moss from the plant and wash off the roots. After this, get the plant ready for trimming and trim it at the very bottom of the roots. Measure the depth of the pot to make sure the roots aren't too long. Now, gather the roots and place them down into the pot with packing peanuts and soil inside of it. After you do this, pack in soil around the sides of it and keep it watered so it doesn't die out.

How To: Grow cucumbers up on an A frame using concrete wire

If you plan on growing cucumbers in your garden, a smart move is to grow them up. By that, grow them on something that will lead them up. This is a smart idea, because cucumber plants can take over a garden at any time and can actually come out much better when grown on something that leads up. In this video, you'll find out how you can do that and why following this method is a good idea. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Use tomato cages in your garden

When it comes to gardening, there are various methods that can be used to help produce an area that you and others will appreciate. What might work for one person, may not work for another. Each has their own benefits, it just depends on the gardener and which works for them.

How To: Keep cut flowers fresh with alcohol and sugar

Hey, here's a quick and easy tip for you! Did you ever wonder how other people can keep their flowers looking fresh and perky for days? All it takes is a quick little trick. Just add a little bit of gin and vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to your water, and your flowers will be fresh and perky for a few extra days!

How To: Make hedge trimming easier on yourself

In this video, you'll learn some neat methods for making hedge trimming an easier chore. Save yourself the back ache and follow the steps in this video. Easier maintenance always begins with the proper tools. Lay down a drop cloth to avoid debris, and make sure you remove wayward branches. Doing the hedge trimming will be a snap from now on!

How To: Prune roses in the spring

In this video, we learn how to prune roses in the spring. When you prune the roses, you want to cut the branches with shears at the bottom of the plant. Cut any of the dead parts that you see before the flowers start to grow back. If you see any short stubs that haven't and won't grow out, trim those off as well. Leave any healthy branches to keep growing, but trim the tops of them. When you finish, you should end with just a few branches left that are ready for the new growing season. Remove...

How To: Style an old yamadori bonsai

The previous owner chose this view. The trunk is naturally hollow. Dead wood is coming toward us. Branches are coming to the back so we will have to do some manipulation. The two parts of deadwood play together in an interesting dance. The piece of deadwood can be improved and the branches can be moved more to this side of the tree as a front. This is what we'll go with. (Using various tools, the bark is removed from the left side deadwood). Height has been added to the branches. Lots of torn...

How To: Use micro-misters for drip irrigation systems

Micro misters allow for low volume of water over a wide area. They give good moisture coverage. Systems can be pulled up, changed and made into what you need it to be. Keep potted plants separate from other plants. They should have their own system. There is a system to encourage growth of root systems of various plants. Shrubs get two emitters in case one clogs up, the plant still has moisture. Having the water at the base of the plant limits weed growth. There is a temporary system to get t...

How To: Grow strawberries easily in a container

In this tutorial, we learn how to grow strawberries easily in a container. First, you will need your refrigerated bare root strawberries laid out in front of you. Next, prepare your soil by using a high quality potting mix and adding 1/3 compost to the mixture. Take your soil and place it into a plastic bin, then add in some water. Mix the water with a trowel, then place your soil into a strawberry jar up to the first row of pockets. Next, plant your strawberries into the pockets on the side ...

How To: Get rid of Japanese beetles

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to get rid of Japanese beetles. This task is very easy, fast and simple to do. Begin by filling a bucket with some water and liquid soap. Then simply shake the leaves and catch the beetles in the bucket. Another way to is attach a funnel on top of the bucket's lid. Place a 4 wall trap on top of the funnel. This will allow the beetles to instantly fall through the funnel when they hit the wall. This video will benefit those viewers who have a backyard ...

How To: Make nitrogen enriched manure tea for garden plants

Are your plants dying? Are they in dire need of some fertilizer? Is your compost not cutting it anymore? Well, save your garden plants with this recipe for nitrogen rich manure tea fertilizer. It's a really easy all natural fertilizer anyone can make. You can collect manure in your pasture or buy it by the bag at a garden center. You can also reuse the manure over and over again. Keep chemicals out of your garden and go green!

How To: Grow wheatgrass in your home garden

Interested in growing your own wheatgrass? This gardener's guide will show you how it's done. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute and a half minutes' time. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, watch this video.

How To: Grow tomatoes upside down in a bucket

Interested in less-conventional container gardening methods? Say, growing tomatoes upside-down in a bucket? This video will show you how it's done! It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview of the process in about 7 minutes' time. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Preserve and dry herbs

In this tutorial, we learn how to preserve and dry herbs. First, you will want to cut your herbs fresh from the garden. Next, use scissors to cut the herbs into small pieces. After this, place the herbs on a piece of wax paper on a plate. Now, place the plate into the microwave on half power for three minutes. Look at the herbs to see what they look like when they come out of the microwave. If there is still moisture in them, place them in a microwave again. Adjust the power and time you cook...

How To: Build a cheap worm composting box

In this tutorial, we learn how to build a cheap worm composting box. Start out by using a large plastic box that has a lid, a storage box works great. Also, grab two vents that you will place on the sides. Lay your vents down on the sides of the box and outline how large they are. Now, cut the box and place the vents on the sides with screw to keep it in place. This box is made to keep worms inside, so it doesn't need to look fancy or be decorated on the outside. Once you're finished drilling...