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 Lay Shade-Tolerant Sod

A homeowner with a shady backyard is tired of looking at dirt and moss. This Old House landscaper Lee Gilliam shows him what to do to bring his backyard to life.
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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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How To Install Artificial Turf

Installing artificial turf in your yard will give you a low-maintenance solution to live grass that dramatically increases your home’s curb appeal. Read these steps to understand how the process works, what tools you need, and the directions to install it yourself.
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Why is This Lawn Patchy?

Ask This Old House landscape contractors Roger Cook and Jenn Nawada share DIY Smarts 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 some alternatives to grass in a shady spot.
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How to Save Water in a Desert Backyard

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook replaces a water-guzzling lawn with a desert appropriate alternative
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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 a 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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How to Get a Great-Looking Lawn

Ask This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook heads to Kentucky to help a homeowner revive his lawn.
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How to Install a Robotic Lawnmower

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O’Connor install a robotic lawnmower
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How to Install a Frost-Proof Hose Spigot

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a new sill cock
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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 Treatment: 7 Musts for Your Yard

Take note of these helpful tips that your lawn needs before the onset of winter.
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How to Rejuvenate a Lawn

Breathing new life into an old lawn with This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook
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How to Choose Grass Seed

Picking the appropriate grass seed with This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and turf expert Mary Owen
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How to Fix a Patchy, Weedy Lawn

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook resuscitates a dying lawn
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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 Lawn Mower

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

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook saves a badly rutted lawn without replacing the grass
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How to Install a Graywater Irrigation System

Reusing laundry wastewater with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey
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How to Mow a Lawn Like a Pro

Perfect-cut lawn mowing tips from This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Revive a Brown Lawn

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

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shares secrets for safe, effective string trimming
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How to Keep a Lawn and Garden Beds Separate

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to establish borders around grassy areas using steel edging
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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 Get Your Lawn Lush and Green

Looking for the best tips on how to get grass to grow? Follow our advice to set your lawn on the right path.
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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