Landscape contractor Lee Gilliam takes us on a road trip to help a homeowner create some texture and interest in her backyard. After comparing different types of arborvitaes, the two settle on the right type for the yard and get to work installing a row of them to dress up the homeowner’s fence.

Next, we meet host Kevin O’Connor and mason Mark McCullough back at the shop to talk about fireplace tools. Mark shows Kevin the different types of tools, including fireplace tongs, pokers, spark screens, and more.

Finally, we follow Kevin across the shop to check out general contractor Tom Silva’s new project. Rather than stacking storage bins, Tom builds a rack designed specifically to fit his totes using deck screws, 2x4s, and basic shop tools. He even installs casters to make the rack easier to move around a crowded workshop.

How to Plant an Arborvitae Row

White vinyl fences are clean, low-maintenance, and long-lasting, but they tend to leave something to be desired in the interest department. When a homeowner grew tired of her basic backyard fence, she reached out to the team at Ask This Old House for help. With fast-growing arborvitae variations in tow, landscape contractor Lee Gilliam knew just what to do.

Where to find it?

Trees

• Green Giant, an arborvitae, the tree selected for planting.
• Emerald Green, an arborvitae, is one of the planting options Lee gave our homeowner.
• Dark American, an arborvitae, another planting option Lee gave our homeowner. This tree can be found at a local nursery.

Tools and materials

• Rust-Oleum, a marking paint Lee used to note where to cut the sod.
• Sod cutter, a tool Lee and the homeowner used to cut the sod surrounding the arborvitae. This tool can be rented.
• Alternatively, a grub axe can be used as well to cut sod by hand.
• An iron rake is used to discard material and spread fertilizer.
• A rake is also used to discard material and spread fertilizer.
• A gas-powered roto-tiller is used by Lee and the homeowner to aerate and break up the soil to make it easier to prepare for planting the arborvitae. This tool can be rented.
• An N95 mask was used to mask the smell coming from the roto-tiller. It is also used as a safety precaution, as the dirt and grass can be prevented from entering one’s lungs.
• The Evergreen Arborvitae fertilizer was used by Lee and the homeowner for the best growth possible.
• Alternatively, standard fertilizer can also be used.
• A shovel was used by Lee and the homeowner to dig a hole that was about the length of the arborvitae root ball.
• A hand cultivator was used to turn the soil and fertilizer in order to get the best results.

Fireplace Tools 101

Every home with a fireplace needs a good set of fireplace tools on the hearth. Mason Mark McCullough knows fireplaces inside and out (quite literally) and wants to teach Kevin everything he needs to know about the tools that accompany them, what they do, and how they work.

Where to find it?

Fire extinguisher: Mark gives Kevin safety tips using a fire extinguisher.

Fireplace tongs: Mark explains the proper usage of fireplace tongs.

Fireplace poker: Mark furthers the importance of safety by describing the usage of a fireplace poker

Fireplace gloves: Kevin asks Mark how to use fireplace gloves.

Ash shovel: Mark gives a demonstration on fireplace cleanliness with an ash shovel.

Fireplace brooms and dustpans: Mark furthers his demonstration on fireplace cleanliness with a fireplace broom and dustpan.

Grate: Kevin’s curiosity is further piqued by Mark’s fireplace grate.

Andirons: Mark explains the importance of also using andirons.

Bellows: Mark gives Kevin a shout while describing the usage of bellows.

How to Build a Tote Storage Rack

Totes are great for organizing and storing smaller items, clothing, and even tools. But everybody knows when you place a tote at the bottom of a stack of bins, you’ll probably never open it again. Knowing this, general contractor Tom Silva designed and built a storage rack on wheels to make accessing storage bins easier.

Where to find it?

(6) 27-Gallon Tough storage totes

(12) 2 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. premium grade studs. Avoid boards with excessive knots, splits, and bends.

Deck screws 3 in x #9. To secure the 2x4s together Tom used deck screws because they are designed to be driven without pre-drilling a pilot hole. They are less likely to split wood than standard wood screws because of their design. Deck screws will be corrosion resistant in possible moist environments like garages and basements.

(4) Swivel casters with locking brakes. Keep in mind of the load rating of the casters. If you’ll be adding more containers or filling them with heavy items, purchase heavy-duty and/or install more than 4 casters to distribute the load.

¼ in. x 1-½ in, low profile structural screws. To secure the casters. Normally nuts and bolts would be used to secure casters, but as long as the storage rack isn’t going to be constantly moving, structural screws will be sufficient and simpler to install.

Original Air Date: Oct 23, 2025, Season 24; Ep. 5 23:42

Products and Services from this Episode

All tools and materials from this episode can be found at Home Depot.