Gardening How To & DIY

Detroit, Michigan, has proudly owned the moniker “The Motor City” for over 100 years. Thanks to local initiatives, it’s also known as a “Bee City,” with gardens supporting the bee population. Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada met with a local pollinator non-profit, Detroit Hives, to talk about their impact on the local bees before helping a couple fill their elevated garden bed.

Keeping a garden looking its best requires irrigation—especially in areas like Austin, Texas, where summer heat scorches plants. When a homeowner wanted to add plants along the back of her deck, landscape contractor Lee Gilliam knew they’d have to add a new irrigation zone to her system.

Learn how to cultivate tropical plants indoors with our guide on plant selection, proper potting techniques, and maintaining optimal conditions.

Landscape expert Lee Gilliam helps a homeowner give their backyard a fresh look by amending the soil and adding some drip irrigation.

Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada helps a couple redesign, repurpose, and restore their front yard’s design after removing two mature but rotten oak trees, exposing the yard to full sun.

Rain gardens are eco-friendly landscaping solutions that manage stormwater and add natural beauty to yards. Learn how to create your own in our step-by-step guide.

Learn how to design a full-sun garden that thrives in bright light and heat. From plant selection to soil preparation, we cover all the bases.

Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada helps a homeowner create privacy with a stunning woodland garden created from native plants.

Want to enrich your gardening and promote a healthy environment? Building a compost bin is a simple DIY project that can be very rewarding.

Read our guide to learn how to build a self-watering planter that keeps your plants hydrated and healthy with minimal effort.

If your garden or lawn is looking scraggly, you may want to test your soil. Here are a few ways to do so at home.

This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada build custom window boxes for a colorful touch of curb appeal.

This Old House DIY Expert and House One Editor Jenn Largesse shows how to build a tiered planter using rot-resistant lumber.

This Old House DIY Expert & House One’s Jenn Largesse shows use a miter saw to create a tall, tapered planter for under $30.

This Old House DIY Expert & House One editor Jenn Largesse shows how to set up a miter saw to create geometric planter, shelves, and more.

In this DIY Smarts project, Ask This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada travels to Raleigh, North Carolina, to help a couple build and plant a self-watering vegetable garden.

Watch as This Old House landscape expert Jenn Nawada demonstrates how to build a raised garden bed in her backyard.

House One’s Jenn Largesse demonstrates how to build a DIY bench for your garden in this informative and quick video.

Growing your own herbs and flowers can be easy if you plan correctly. Learn how to plant an indoor garden in our step-by-step guide.

Landscape expert Jenn Nawada will show you how to create resilient foundation plantings that can withstand snow piles and seasonal changes.

In this DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada installs a front entry planter that will last through the winter.

Discover tips for choosing and using pruners, including the best types for your garden needs and how to apply precision in your pruning tasks.

Watch as Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada installs a vertical garden to maximize space for a homeowner.

Watch as Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook learns about the ancient art of creating a bonsai from a regular tree.

Watch as This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner originally from Holland plant authentic Dutch bulbs.