How to Make Your Yard Insect Free

Nothing can ruin a cookout on a gorgeous night quicker than pests. Although the Bay Area has a reputation for being less hospitable to mosquitoes than other areas of the nation, they’re out there, and also can function as the driving force keeping you indoors on a summer night. Taking steps to make your yard…

Are Nematodes Bad for a Yard?

Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that have earned a somewhat dubious reputation. Although there are nematodes that damage turf, such as lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) , ring nematodes (Mesocriconema spp.) , root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne naasi and Meloidogyne spp.) , seed and leaf gall nematodes (Anguina pacificae), spiral nematodes (Helicotylenchus spp.) , bite nematodes (Belonolaimus longicaudatus)…

Lime Sulfur for Shade Tree Fungus

Fungal diseases in color trees and other landscape plants can lead to disfigurement, stunted growth and even death. Treating the infection, or spraying the tree with fungicide to protect it from getting contaminated, requires special chemical compounds that eliminate particular fungi. Lime-sulfur preparations are used since the 1800s. Sulfur kills the pathogens, and grapefruit lessens…

How to Add Decorative Molding to your Door

Slab doors, consisting of two pieces of thin plywood laminated to a wooden frame, are builder standard for interior doorways and closets. There’s nothing wrong with them, they show hardwood grain patterns and have clean, simple lines, but they don’t just put set the layout world on fire. Every time a new color does not…

Making Cafe Curtains

Cafe curtains are briefer compared to more formal window treatments and are used most frequently to offer a bit of breezy softness to a kitchen or breakfast nook. They are usually made of a light, sheer material and contain two lower panels plus a matching or coordinating valance. Cafe curtains are so easy to create…

Wall-Building Tools

Building a wall is a comparatively straightforward endeavor. In the simplest terms, a wooden-framed wall contains vertical studs extending between flat top and bottom plates. Framing the wall takes several distinct steps: quantifying the lumber, cutting the timber and nailing the timber together to form the wall. Each measure can be accomplished with the most…

What Pesticide Is Successful on Holly Bushes?

Measures to eliminate pests on holly plants in the garden start with cultural control — maintaining the holly strong and healthy so it can withstand and recover from pest infestations. Biological controls include beneficial insects already present or introduced into the garden that prey on insects that are dangerous. Sometimes, infestation and damage to the…

Sprays for Lemon Trees

Lemon trees (Citrus limon) create edible fruit and fragrant flowers in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. This broadleaf evergreen is susceptible to various problems such as insect infestation and fungal disease. When these pests attack the lemon tree, applying particular sprays will help control the issue and protect the fruit.…

A Watermelon Vine Turning Yellow

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a frost-tender flowering vine characterized by a large, sprawling growth habit, yellow blossoms and large, sweet edible fruits. A healthy watermelon vine boasts lush green stalks and leaves. If a watermelon vine turns yellow, then it’s a sign that the plant is not healthy and has fallen prey to disease, pests…