Tag Archives: gardening

EP212: Black Gold

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SEGMENTS 1 & 2: Black Gold

Composting is a great way to cut down on the amount of trash filling your garbage can. However, most of us have probably seen or experienced a compost pile that smells and attracts pests. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way. Learn how to do composting right!

MATERIALCARBON/NITROGENINFORMATION
Wood Chips/PelletsCarbonHigh carbon levels; use sparingly
Wood AshCarbonOnly use ash from clean materials; sprinkle lightly
Tea LeavesNitrogenLoose or in bags
Table ScrapsNitrogenAdd with dry carbon items
Straw or HayCarbonStraw is best; hay (with seeds) is less ideal
Shrub PruningsCarbonWoody pruning are slow to break down
Shredded PaperCarbonAvoid using glossy paper and colored inks
Seaweed and KelpNitrogenApply in thin layers; good source for trace minerals
Sawdust PelletsCarbonHigh carbon levels; add in layers to avoid clumping
Pine NeedlesCarbonAcidic; use in moderate amounts
NewspaperCarbonAvoid using glossy paper and colored inks
LeavesCarbonLeaves break down faster when shredded
Lawn and Garden WeedsNitrogenOnly use weeds which have not gone to seed
Green Comfrey LeavesNitrogenExcellent compost activator
Grass ClippingsNitrogenAdd in thin layers so they don't mat into clumps
Garden Plants-Use disease-free plants only
Fruit and Vegetable ScrapsNitrogenAdd with dry carbon items
Flowers, CuttingsNitrogenChop up any long woody stems
EggshellsNeutralBest when crushed
Dryer LintCarbonBest if from natural fibers
Corn Cobs, StalksCarbonSlow to decompose; best if chopped up
Coffee GroundsNitrogenFilter may also be included

SEGMENT 3: Meet the Professor

We are joined by Brad Krause, president of Service Professor. We talk about shortages we are seeing across industries and speculate on how long term that may be. Plus, learn all about the services they offer, including a new technology that improves your heating and cooling efficiency.

SEGMENT 4: Curb Appeal on a Budget

Obviously, painting the entire exterior will have the most impact. Fortunately, there are small projects that can improve the curb appeal of your home with less time and money invested. In this segment, color is the name of the game as we point out some overlooked projects….

EP208: A Little Ghosting Problem

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SEGMENT 1: Is Dirt the New Prozac?

Here’s a segment from last year that’s worth replaying now that the weather’s warming up! If you’ve got flower beds that need work, there’s actually scientific evidence that digging in the dirt can be calming! Here’s one of the articles we reference in the segment….

SEGMENT 2: Which Wood?

Normally, we talk about cleaning and staining your deck for the Spring. But maybe you actually need to build a new deck altogether! If so, here’s an interview with Jason Slenk from Overisel Lumber that might help you decide which material to use.

SEGMENT 3: Goodbye Soap Scum and Hard Water Stains!

Last year, during the lockdowns, Dan stumbled on a bathroom cleaner that really helped clean up some of the trouble spots in one of the bathrooms in his home. It’s CLR: Brilliant Bath and it’s worth checking out!

SEGMENT 4: A Little Ghosting Problem….

Last year, on Memorial Day, Dan pointed out a ghosting (or thermal tracking) problem going on in his parents’ condo. He was happy to dish out the info . . . they were less than thrilled to realize that the things they thought were shadows on their walls were actually something else entirely!

EP114: Natural Mosquito Repellent, Cool Paint Tools, & Dad Stories

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Segment 1: Natural Mosquito Repellent

We’ve started hearing it again: it’s going to be a bad year for mosquitos! And the thing is, not everyone wants to go around doused in a chemical bug repellent and not everyone can deal with the smell. With that said, there are some natural alternatives that may work just as well, if used correctly. It’s not good enough just to plant these. You have to release the essential oils to make them work. Just roughly chopping and spreading on the lawn or patio should work.  Here’s a list of some plants that will go in my garden this year, along with some warnings and ways to use them.

  • Citronella
    • A Florida A & M study debunked the myth that simply planting these repels mosquitos. You have to crush the leaves, release the essential oil and put it on your skin for it to work.
  • Marigold
    • Contains pyrethrum which is natures insecticide
    • Used in organic insecticides
  • Catnip
    • It’s invasive in a garden bed. Consider using a pot.
    • Often more effective than products containing DEET
    • Cut the flower and boil in water
  • Lemon Grass
    • Plant in a pot because we are above zone 8
    • Keep away from pregnant women and new moms
  • Citronella Geranium
    • Has a small amount of citronella oil in it
    • Oil can be used to help remove scars
  • Bee Balm
  • Lemon Balm
    • Is invasive so use a pot
  • Lantana
    • Lantana flower extract in coconut oil provides 94.5% protection from mosquitos for an average of 2 hours
  • Mint
    • Spreads like wildfire! Plant among rocks or in a pot
    • Is toxic to mosquito larvae
    • Can be used in tea as well
  • Lavender
    • Can be rubbed right on skin
    • Beautiful purple flowers
  • Rosemary
    • Use on the grill with food. The smoke drives away mosquitos
    • OR use 1 cup of dried rosemary to 1 quart of water and boil for 20-30 minutes
  • Fennel
  • Garlic
    • It has to be crushed and who wants to smell like strong garlic???
  • Basil
    • Toxic to larvae
    • Thai basil is the best with a slight cinnamon scent
  • Thyme
  • Sage
    • Throw some in your fire
  • Pitcher Plant
    • Carnivorous plant that eats mosquitos among other things. Move over Venus Fly Trap!
    • Put in a basket or pot on your porch

If you are interested in making your own essential oil bug repellent, you can try a recipe from The Organic Goat Lady!

 

Segments 2 & 3: Cool Paint Tools

Larry Schwartz from Wooster Brush Company is back to discuss some great painting accessories! Everyone knows about roller covers and brushes. But what about an extension pole? Or a Pelican Paint Bucket? These things will make your painting life a lot easier!

 

Segment 4: Dad Stories!

It’s Father’s Day weekend and we ALL have them; Dad Stories. Like the time Dad took Mom squirrel hunting but forgot to tell her she was going to have to hold the squirrel while he skinned it…..

We share our stories, as well as a great story from the manager of our Plainfield store, Bob, who’s dad found a creative way around New York City traffic. Pull up a seat and enjoy the laughs!

EP112: Themed Gardens for Kids & Fern The Bus

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LISTEN HERE:

Segments 1 & 2:

Ian Warnock, Lead Horticulturalist at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, has some GREAT ideas for themed gardens kids will love! Who wouldn’t want a pizza garden? Or a salsa garden? Or even a sensory garden?

Ian also discusses some of the things going on this summer at Frederik Meijer Gardens, including the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden Un-Birthday Party.

Segments 3 & 4: Fern the Bus

Fern, the bus, is in our parking lot and her owners, Ben and Mande Tucker, are in our studio to discuss the drastic transformation from big yellow school bus to tiny house on wheels. We have never seen anything quite like it and we are excited to follow Ben and Mande’s adventures with Fern.

To read more about the Tuckers and Fern, check out their website and blog or follow them on Instagram @fernthebus.

EP59 – May 26, 2018: Beautiful Lawns, Paint Color Woes, Paint Question Smorgasbord!

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We recently had a customer who really had a strange paint color problem. In the can, the color looked right. On the wall, it was remarkably different. She was frustrated and confused: What was going on? More importantly, what should she do? We tackle that paint question and many others on today’s Home Improvement Show.

Show notes for episode 059:

Jan Meeuwsen from De Bruyn Seed Company in Zeeland joins us in the studio for two segments. She covers everything from what to do about dead patches on your lawn to how to fix a mossy backyard.

We go over a question we received from a listener that is a real head-scratcher! The color looks one way IN the can, but completely different on the WALL! Confusing, yes. But we've got answers!

This segment focuses on a number of wide-ranging paint questions. We talk about how to clean composite decks and shift right into how to clean and repaint your aluminum awnings!

EP57 – May 5, 2018: Spring Exterior Painting, Gardening With Children, and Trash Heap Desk Revival

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When we think of gardening, we think of things like container gardening, pest resistance gardening, and vegetable gardening. We don’t necessarily think of gardening with and for our kids. But why not?! It gets them interested at an early age and it gets them out in the fresh air. It will be something they look forward to every year. And they will be able to see the fruits of their labor.

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 057:

This past week has been filled with BEAUTIFUL weather! It's been warm and sunny and we even got some much needed rain. Spring has finally graced us with its presence.

Because spring seems to be a little late this year, people are frantically working outside to get spring projects done. And often, those projects involve paint. We got a question from a listener wondering what the temperature needs to be for her to paint outside. Is it warm enough just because the calendar says May? Find out!

With the arrival of spring, many of use are thinking about planting flowers and vegetables. What we might not be thinking about is including our kids. It's a confidence boost when they see something they planted grow from a tiny seed into a great plant.

We are thrilled to have Ian Warnock, Lead Horticulturist from Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in the studio with us. Ian has worked at the Gardens for over 20 years and has spent much of his time designing and maintaining the Children's Gardens. He involves young visitors to the garden in as many ways as possible. He'll even let them mow the grass!

Photos courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

How many of us watch those shows in TV or Netflix where people take a junk piece of furniture and turn it into something that everyone is clamoring to buy? How many of us want to be able to do that?

We like those shows as much as anyone, so we decided to try it. We learned a few lessons and have decided to share them. The effort was definitely worth it.

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