Now's a good time to fertilize your lawn

September 14, 2011

You may be winding down with landscaping as autumn approaches, but it turns out that fall is the best time of year to nourish your lawn. Here's why: Taking the time to fertilize in the fall will strengthen your plant's and lawn's roots, giving them a strong base on which to thrive next spring. See what TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook has to say about doing the job right in Fall Fertilizing.

While you're at it, here are some other musts for your fall yard that will ensure a healthy and vibrant spring yard

CasaSugar Project of the Week: How to Make Your Own Invisible Shelves

There's a big trend in using non-traditional materials to build furniture. We've seen nightstands and end tables made of travel cases and ottomans made from stacks of magazines. If you have a cramped bedroom, this is a great alternative to bulky nightstands. Upcycle old books and create DIY invisible shelves that float on your wall. Learn more at CasaSugar.

Hurricane Irene: Cleaning up after a flood with help from FloodSafety.com

September 2, 2011

Just saw some great flood clean-up information over at FloodSafety.com that I thought I'd share with those of you in the northeast still trying to recoup from Hurricane Irene.

See a description of typical house flood damages and clean-up requirements after the jump.

Hurricane Irene is heading my way. Now what?

August 25, 2011

What does it mean when they issue a hurricane watch? Or a hurricane warning? Thanks for the heads up, but what should I be doing to keep my home and everything in it as safe as possible? Many northeasterners are new to the whole hurricane situation, so whether the storm hits or not, the best way to keep your head in an emergency is to know what to do in advance.

Here's what you should be doing in the event of a watch, warning, evacuation, and during a hurricane, courtesy of our friends over at The Weather Channel.

Hurricane Irene Preparation Basics

August 24, 2011

Hurricane Irene is still spinning her way toward the southeastern United States—with a new Category 3 status—according to the National Hurricane Center. We already shared 6 surprising disaster kit essentials, but don't forget the basics.

The best way to protect your home and family from a storm is to be prepared. And, the American Red Cross website is a great resource for the information you need. They'll tell you how to create a basic emergency kit, plan ahead, and to stay informed when there are hurricane advisories. Download their Hurricane Safety Checklist, which includes the supplies you need. Some of the basics include:

-At least a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
-At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food
-Flashlight, with extra batteries
-At least a 7-day supply of medications
-Family and emergency contact information
-Extra cash, clothes, shoes, and keys
-Cell phone with charger
-Pet supplies and food

Head over to the American Red Cross website to learn what else you'll need to prepare for the storm, and how to recover if there's damage after it. Also, check out our information on How to Board Up Windows, Securing Loose Boards and Shingles, and more.

How to Board Up Windows to Prep for Hurricane Irene

August 23, 2011

With Hurricane Irene approaching the southeastern United States, it's important to know how to prep your house with hopes for minimal damage. If you live in a storm-prone area, you may already have hurricane shutters. If you don't, plywood is a good substitute for covering your windows. If Irene is currently tracking to come to your town, you might want to shop for supplies now: don't wait until the last minute to shop! You'll want to pick up 5/8-inch-thick, exterior-grade plywood for this job.

According to the experts here at TOH, here's what you need to know about protecting windows for wood-framed houses.

1. Mark the location of the studs closest to each side of and underneath the window. (If there are no nail heads in the siding to give away where the studs are, you'll have to do some probing with a drill and bit.) Plywood fastened just to trim or sheathing can go flying.

2. Cut each panel so it will extend at least one inch beyond the framing on all sides of the window.

3. Number each panel to indicate which opening it will cover. Add an arrow showing which end goes up.

4. Use corrosion-resistant screws that are long enough to reach at least 2 inches into the framing. They hold far better than nails and are easier to remove. The best screws for this purpose are galvanized pan-heads or lags, which have flat-bottomed heads that won't sink into and weaken the plywood.

5. Hold the plywood up against the opening and drill pilot holes through it and into the framing every 16 inches. Be sure each hole is at least one inch away from the panel edge. Now use a cordless drill/driver or impact driver to drive all the screws home.

If you live where hurricanes are a frequent threat, take time during the off season to screw stainless-steel hanger bolts into the framing every 16 inches, and drill matching holes in the plywood. Then, when a storm threatens, you can mount the panels quickly and secure them with with nuts and washers. Because these panels are reusable, prime and paint all surfaces and edges to protect them from decay.

On masonry houses, fit the plywood inside the window opening and hold it in place with 4-inch barrel bolts spaced no more than 16 inches apart. Each bolt's sliding shaft fits into a hole drilled in the masonry, (not the grout joint).

For more, check out 6 Surprising Essentials For Your Disaster Prep Kit. Be safe!

Summer Gardening Advice from The Plant Detectives

June 28, 2011

I would like to introduce you to Art Laster, an expert on plants and the owner and president of Plant Detectives Nursery and Garden Center in Chester, New Jersey. The 10-acre site showcases a diverse stock of plants and gardening materials. If I have any gardening questions or am curious about anything in the horticultural-world, I seek Mr. Laster's advice. And now, he's sharing it with all of you.

Black & Decker's NEW Pivoting RapidRoller

June 25, 2011

I wasn't planning on throwing up a fresh coat this summer, but this new super-roller kind of makes me want to. When you think of painting you think "affordable way to refresh a room," sure, but you also think "mess!" "drips!" "cutting in at crown and baseboards! wah!" This roller's smart efficiency-focused features address all of those problems. For about $35- $45. Here's how.

National Home Safety Month: Pool Safety Tips

June 16, 2011

Kids love cooling off with a dip in the backyard pool. Take a moment to review these tips from Safe Kids USA, and that refreshing summer retreat can be a safe one too.

Reminder: June is National Home Safety Month

June 14, 2011

Makes sense, since summer vacation is just around the corner. Not to be a downer, but according to Safe Kids USA, more children between the ages of 1 and 4 years die from unintentional injuries than from all childhood diseases combined, and an overwhelming majority of these fatalities occur in the home. If you know what the risks are, you can take preventative measures to ensure the safety of your kids at home, and have a safe and relaxing summer. As we countdown to the last day of school, TOH and Safe Kids USA will be sharing some home safety tips to keep in mind this season. We'll start with a quick driveway safety tip.