Lawn How To & DIY

Improve the value of your home by discovering our lawn step-by-step tips & ideas.

S22 E18: Lee Gilliam lays shade sod
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How to Choose, Lay, and Maintain Shade Tolerant Sod

Learn how to choose, install, and maintain shade-tolerant sod in this guide, with tips from This Old House landscaper Lee Gilliam.
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How to Turn on a Sprinkler System in Spring

Are you tired of paying a sprinkler company or landscape contractor to turn the water to your sprinkler system back on each spring? This relatively simple job is well within the abilities of a DIYer, and all it takes is a little background knowledge to save a lot of money. Here’s how to handle turning on a sprinkler system yourself.
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How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Knowing how to winterize your sprinkler system is key to protecting the system’s pipes and valves from the cold. Learn about the steps you need to take in this guide.
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How to Get Rid of Moss in Your Lawn

There are several simple ways to get rid of the moss in your lawn—but prevention is the best medicine.
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How to Revive St. Augustine Grass

Believe it or not, struggling St. Augustine grass can be revived. Here are the steps to get it green again—and how to prevent it from suffering in the first place.
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How to Edge a Lawn in 10 Easy Steps

If you’ve never edged a lawn before, don’t worry—we’ll teach you how to get the neatest, nicest edges around your walkways and garden beds.
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How to Get Rid of Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie is a pernicious weed you don’t want in your lawn. We’ll show you how to get rid of it.
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Everything You Need To Know To Install Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is a low-maintenance option compared to live grass. Our guide explains how to install artificial turf yourself.
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Why is This Lawn Patchy? Professional Tips for Maintaining a Yard

Watch as Ask This Old House landscape contractors Roger Cook and Jenn Nawada share DIY tips for killing weeds without hurting the lawn.
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How To Replace a Lawn With Shade Perennials

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook offers alternatives to grass in a shady spot, including perennials, ferns, and more.
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How To Revitalize a Lawn

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shares some DIY Smarts as he tends to a lawn that was seeded in the summer and is not doing well.
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How To Patch and Restore a Dead or Smothered Lawn

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook reseeds a dead section of lawn and blends it in with the rest of the yard.
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Everything You Need to Know to Restore a Green, Healthy Lawn

Ask this old house landscaping contractor Roger Cook heads to Kentucky to show a homeowner revive his lawn step by step.
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How To Install and Maintain a Robotic Lawn Mower

Watch as Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O’Connor set up a robotic lawn mower.
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How to Install a Frost-Proof Hose Spigot

In this guide, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how to install a frost-proof spigot for your home.
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How to Patch a Lawn With Grass Seed

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O'Connor patch a lawn with grass seed
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Fall Lawn Care: Essential Tips to Protect Your Yard

Want a lush, healthy yard come next spring? Our guide includes expert tips on fall lawn care so your grass bounces back after winter.
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How To Rejuvenate Your Lawn

Looking to revamp the look of your lawn? Here are some tips from This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How To Choose Grass Seed

Learn how to choose the right grass seed for your yard with This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and turf expert Mary Owen.
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What You Need to Know to Restore a Patchy, Weedy Lawn

In this guide, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows you how to revamp a struggling lawn and keep it looking pristine.
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How To Choose a Riding Lawn Mower

Looking for the best riding lawn mower? This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook takes a quick look at some options.
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How To Maintain a Gas Lawn Mower for Your Yard

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and Kevin O'Connor share tips for keeping your mower running smoothly all season long.
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How To Repair Lawn Damage After Construction

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to repair lawn damage after construction without replacing the grass.
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How To Install a Graywater Irrigation System

Learn how to reuse laundry wastewater as irrigation with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey.
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How To Mow a Lawn Like a Pro to Achieve the Perfect Yard

Read perfect-cut lawn mowing tips from This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook to help you achieve a lush, pristine lawn every time.
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How To Revive a Brown Lawn in 6 Simple to Follow Steps

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook breathes new life into a dead spring lawn brought on by a harsh winter.
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How To Safely Use a String Trimmer

Learn the safest and most effective ways to use a string trimmer as demonstrated by This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How To Keep a Lawn and Garden Beds Separate With Borders

Are you searching for a long-term way to keep your lawn away from your garden beds? Learn expert tips and tricks here.
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How to Prep Your Lawn for Winter

The end of summer signals the best time to lay the groundwork for a lush field of grass come spring.
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Your Toughest Lawn Questions Answered

The TOH pros tackle the obstacles standing between you and the lush lawn of your dreams
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How to Maintain a Lawn

In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O'Connor discuss best practices for keeping a lawn lush and green
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How to Reseed a Lawn

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to breathe new life into an old, tired lawn
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How to Lay Sod

Creating a lush, new lawn with This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook