Yard and Garden

 

CRITTERS

Moles

  

Moles: Are maddening moles tearing up your yard? Let them choke on chewing gum, run from repellent, find a famine, get a noose around their necks or skedaddle to a newer lawn. Get rid of moles once and for all.

 

FALL

Wood Splitter

 

Splitting wood: Skip the ax! Harness the power and majesty of a hydraulic cylinder. They're powerful machines and dangerous when used improperly. Be sure to follow these safety tips.

 

GARDEN

Strawberries

 

Strawberries: If you hull them on the vine like the pros, you'll save lots of time in the kitchen -- especially if you plan to make jam or freeze them for smoothies. Learn this technique.

 

GRILLING

Charcoal Chimney Starter 1

 

Charcoal chimney starter, Part 1: Start your charcoal for outdoor cooking quickly -- even in the dead of winter -- with this charcoal chimney starter. All you need are a few things from around the house.

Charcoal Chimney Starter 2

 

Charcoal chimney starter, Part 2: Here's how a charcoal chimney starter works and how to use it. Careful! The metal gets very hot -- and the handle can, too! Use hot pads or oven mitts.

Grill Igniter

 

Fix your grill's igniter. If the igniter or electronic ignition on your grill isn't working, chances are you do NOT need a new igniter or a new grill. This simple fix is not often mentioned in the owner's manual.

Grill Igniter

 

Protect your grill from rust. Tired of discarding your rusty outdoor gas grills after only a couple of years? Guard against rust and protect your investment with this simple procedure.

 

LAWNMOWERS

Lawnmower tuneup: Give your lawnmower a complete tuneup. You'll save yourself money and help keep your lawn and mower healthy!

Mower Maintenance 1

 

Part 1: Make sure your lawnmower blade stays sharp. A dull blade will tear the grass and leave it exposed to disease. Hardware stores also provide this service for a minimal charge.

 

 

Mower Maintenance 2Part 2: If your lawnmower has a four-cycle engine, you'll need to change the oil regularly. If you don't, you could end up changing your lawnmower regularly!

 

 

Mower Maintenance 3Part 3: Changing the air filter will help keep your mower operating at peak efficiency. It's good for the engine and good for the environment. You may be able to remove dirt buildup with compressed air.

 

 

Mower Maintenance 4Part 4: Don't forget to lubricate your mower's moving parts. It's a simple but often overlooked task and can prevent trouble -- such as rusted or broken parts -- down the road.

 

 

Mower Maintenance 5 Part 5: Change the spark plug on your lawnmower in seconds using a spark plug socket wrench and a spark plug gap gauge. Spark plugs are readily available at your home center or hardware store.

 

Mowing in January

 Winter mowing: Mow the lawn in January? In Michigan? No kidding! It's the middle of winter, and there is not a drop of snow on the ground. You'll have to see it to believe it!

 

PATIO

Pella Sliding Screen Door

 

Pella Sliding Patio Door Screen: Do you find the written instructions a bit confusing? See step by step how to easily install your Pella sliding door screen (Rolscreen). 

Pella Sliding Screen Door Latch

 

Pella Sliding Patio Door Screen Latch: Sooner or later, this little $50 plastic latch on your Pella sliding door screen will break. Make this replacement yourself from a mirror clip for just a couple of buck

 

UNDERGROUND SPRINKLING

Underground Sprinkler

 

Winterize your sprinkler system: Get your self-draining underground sprinkling system set for winter! (This is NOT for underground systems that must be "blown out" with compressed air. Check your owner's manual.)

 

WINTER

Snowblower

 

Snowblower: Change the oil in your snowblower (4-cycle engines). It's less complicated than it looks, but you may need to use a little ingenuity. In some models, draining the oil can be messy.

Wood Splitter

 

Splitting wood: Skip the ax! Harness the power and majesty of a hydraulic cylinder. The log splitter is a powerful and dangerous machine if used improperly. Be sure to follow these safety tips.