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Standing water is usually caused by two common problems: poorly draining soil and low spots in the yard. Lawn thatch, the layer of thick dead leaves, roots, and stems between soil and grass, is another culprit. Heavy foot traffic can also compact soil, leading to poor drainage. Luckily a little elbow grease can solve these problems. Poorly Draining Soil Because the majority of water drainage on lawns typically occurs through the soil, soil type affects drainage....

Roots protrude from the bottom of the pot The plant stops growing or becomes limp The plant is root-bound or pot-bound Many tropical plants like to be slightly underpotted, and unless you need to repot it because the soil is exhausted or the plant is suffering, there is no reason to do it early. An over-potted plant will focus on root growth at the expense of new foliage and flowers. Finally, some plants, such as bromeliads, will almost never need to be repotted....

Recharging an irrigation system can begin as soon as the frost is no longer in the ground or when you can get a shovel easily down a full 12 inches. Every irrigation system is different but they are all installed with the same basic principles. Here are some simple tips for starting up the system for the first time in the spring.Visually inspect all valve boxes for rodent nests and debrisRe-attach any fittings removed in the fall, secure with new plumber’s tape if necessaryEnsure all valves and/or drains are open and water source is connectedCrack the water source valve and slowly begin filling up the system....

What Does Black Spot Do? Black spot will look like somewhat circular black spots on leaves. It usually occurs on the upper sides of leaves, but can also develop on the undersides. The outer margins of the black circles are ragged or feathery and they are usually surrounded by a ring of yellow. Spots typically begin on the lower leaves and move upward. They can appear as early as when the leaves first unfurl....

By painting by hand, you can mask off areas at your discretion. While it’s not recommended, you can paint an entire room with a brush and even a roller without spilling a single drop on the floor or furniture. But when you use a paint sprayer, you have to mask off areas that will not be painted because overspray is inevitable. To mask a window or two, you can always use newspaper and masking tape....

Reservoir The reservoir is simply a large container used to hold the water. It needs to be at least 1-foot deep to accommodate root growth, opaque to prevent algae growth, and sturdy. A common D.I.Y solution is a 14-gallon rough tote storage bin. You can also build your own reservoir (a wood box lined with plastic works fine) or purchase one at your local grow shop or online. You will also need to purchase the proper nutrients and equipment for monitoring the pH level of the water....

Basics of AFCI Protection An arc fault is essentially a spark between contacts in electrical wires. Similar to lightning, it is a highly energized plasma discharge that jumps an air gap from an energized source to a grounded location. (Note: the air gape is usually jumped when an energized part is trying to fully contact its terminal and arcing occurs as it is trying to make contact; and when a hot wire touches a grounded surface and sparks fly....

Two well-loved garden heroes, tomatoes and potatoes, are especially susceptible to an affliction known as late blight. Characterized by large, irregularly-shaped, greasy gray spots (and even soft rot), late blight is a serious plant affliction that led to the Irish Potato Famine in 1845. Although plants infected with late blight tend to die quickly, you can often salvage some of your tomatoes and potatoes from the plant before they meet their fate thanks to these tips for dealing with late blight....

Is it safe to use wood ash in the garden? As with most gardening questions, the answer is “it depends.” You have to know a little about both your soil and the ashes themselves. Read on to find out if wood ash is good for your needs. Benefits for Soil Ashes from fireplaces and wood-burning stoves can be a good source of calcium and potassium. To a lesser degree, they also provide some phosphorus, a bit of aluminum, magnesium, and sodium, and a few micro-nutrients, such as boron, copper, molybdenum, sulfur, and zinc....

For example, it’s International Creativity Month, so you can explore activities that celebrate everything from letter writing and puzzles to dragons and kazoos. January also is a prime time to learn about important people in history, including Benjamin Franklin and Martin Luther King Jr. Some observances focus on achieving a healthy lifestyle, and you might find relevant activities at community centers, schools, or health care organizations. On other days, you can celebrate with comfort foods, such as chocolate and bagels....