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Hour 1
In Hour 1 of the At this time’s Home-owner Radio Podcast, we’re providing options for fixing patchy grass, recommendation on putting in a brand new window and extra.
Rooting Out the Reason for a Patchy Garden
Tim Kehoe is stumped by what’s inflicting the brown patches on his garden.
Within the 30 years that he’s lived in northern Wisconsin, he’s weeded, seeded and fertilized his garden diligently. However, about 5 or 6 years in the past, brown spots started to appear all through his acre of garden. And a drought final 12 months solely exacerbated the issue.
Now, he says, about 40 % of his garden is roofed in useless spots which can be an inch and a half deep. What can he do to get his inexperienced grass again?
Brown patchy spots on a garden can seem for numerous causes. We suspect a mix of fungal illness and dry climate situations is the reason for his brown patches.
It’s additionally value mentioning that when he’s seeded his yard up to now, Tim didn’t use the identical sort of grass seed all through. So, as a result of there are combined sorts of grass, some is likely to be extra resilient to drought and illnesses than others, which is likely to be why not all the grass is dying.
The one option to know for positive if a fungal illness is inflicting the brown patches is to ship a soil pattern to a garden skilled or an area extension workplace.
When you get the outcomes, you’ll be able to deal with the garden correctly and start replenishing the grass. Your choices embody reseeding, transplanting sod or planting sod plugs. Go together with a creeping sort of grass, like Bermuda or St. Augustine, so it’ll unfold to cowl the naked spots.
For an in-depth take a look at garden fungal illnesses, learn “The way to Deal With Grass Fungal Ailments on Your Garden.”
Ideas for Changing a Window
Mildred Smith’s husband plans to switch a window with a brand new vinyl one which’s the identical measurement. Nevertheless, he’s undecided the best way to get the outdated window out of the opening within the wall.
“That is his first main DIY venture — and I’m hoping he doesn’t mess it up. Do you’ve any tricks to share?” she asks.
An important factor to do is get the proper measurements for the window. The very last thing you need is to have a brand new window that’s too huge or small for the present gap.
Additionally, get some further wooden for framing changes. A number of 2-by-4 or 1-by-4 boards will come in useful.
When taking out the outdated window, rigorously take away all of the trim so you’ll be able to reuse it. In case you can see the place the nails are, use a nail punch to push them by the trim. Doing this helps to maintain the trim from splitting.
Now’s the time to verify the window is correctly sealed and insulated. As soon as the brand new window is in place, spray in some window and door expandable foam across the perimeter. Don’t use commonplace increasing foam as a result of it could increase an excessive amount of and make the window bow.
If the framing permits it, pack in some further insulation as properly. Something you are able to do to insulate across the window will make an enormous distinction in your heating and cooling prices.
Subsequent, apply a window membrane to the body. This peel-and-stick materials offers a water-proof barrier between the window and the trim.
Hour 2
In Hour 2, discover ways to take away rust from a metal roof, maintain squirrels away from chicken feeders and extra.
Eradicating Rust from a Metal Roof
A caller tells us among the panels on his six-year-old metal roof are beginning to rust. He asks what can he do to take away the rust and forestall it from coming again.
The vast majority of metallic roofs are set as much as final 50 years, so that you shouldn’t have any rust this early on. The rust could possibly be a results of one thing scratching the paint and exposing the metallic.
All the time verify with the producer’s suggestion earlier than making an attempt to take away rust your self. Most roofing producers suggest oxalic acid to take away rust from metallic roofs. Right here’s the best way to do it:
- Combine one half oxalic acid to 5 elements water. You can even use vinegar, hydrochloric acid, citric acid or muriatic acid.
- Spray the answer onto the rust spots, and wipe it in with a rag utilizing a round movement. Don’t depart this resolution on for greater than 5 minutes.
- Rinse the answer off as soon as the rust stain is gone.
You can even use a pre-mixed resolution like Evapo-Rust Protected Rust Remover.
As soon as the rust is gone, prime and paint the metallic roof based on the producer’s suggestions to stop it from returning.
When engaged on a roof, at all times observe the right security precautions. Solely work in good climate situations, put on non-slip boots to stop falls and at all times use a ladder safely.
Holding Squirrels Out of Chook Feeders
Uninterested in squirrels stealing your chicken meals? Listed below are some choices to cease squirrels from raiding your chicken feeder, so you may get again to chicken watching.
If the squirrels are climbing up a pole, combine cayenne pepper and vaseline and coat the pole. The cayenne pepper’s sturdy, spicy odor will discourage the squirrels. Plus, the slippery Vaseline will make it tougher for the squirrels to climb the pole.
An alternative choice for pole chicken feeders is to put in a baffle to stop rodents from climbing the pole, and place feeders the place rodents can’t get to them.
You probably have a dangling chicken feeder, place a dome over it. The squirrels can nonetheless slide down the wire, however the dome will block them from reaching the chicken meals.
If all else fails, provide the squirrels a decoy. Put out a second feeder with nuts or corn only for squirrels that’s simple for them to succeed in. By doing this, you’ll be able to have the perfect of each worlds — watching the antics of squirrels whereas nonetheless with the ability to benefit from the birds on the identical time.
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Easy Options
Bar-Clamp Meeting Tip — While you want an additional hand to carry a workpiece in place, attain for a few bar clamps.
Merely tighten one clamp onto the underside, finish of the piece, ensuring the bars of the clamps face in other way.
The clamps will maintain the piece upright, liberating your fingers to proceed with the meeting.
Watch: The way to Use Bar Clamps to Regular Woodworking Initiatives
Spade-Bit Planting Software — Right here’s a fast, simple option to plant small bulbs and seedlings.
Use an extended-length spade bit, which is 16 in. lengthy, and a cordless drill to bore planting holes into the soil.
And if you happen to hit a root, the spade bit will bore proper by it.
Different Merchandise & Hyperlinks Talked about
Additional Studying
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