Landscape contractor Lee Gilliam takes us along as he helps a pair of homeowners solve their uneven, wet backyard. With the help of the homeowners, Lee dethatches the grass and levels the yard before spreading soil, limestone, grass seed, and peat moss to bring the yard back to life.
Next, we meet host Kevin O’Connor at a local greenhouse where he talks about potted plants with landscape contractor Jenn Nawada. Jenn shows Kevin some plants with different light requirements before teaching him about the ideal soil type for each and their watering and fertilization needs.
Finally, we tag along with master carpenter Nathan Gilbert as he helps a homeowner replace his hollow core doors for something more substantial. With some handy jigs and basic tools, Nathan is able to install new doors that look great and perform better.
How to Regrade a Yard
Uneven yards can be tricky for little kids to navigate. Depressions make walking and running unsafe, and they hold water, creating wet, muddy conditions. When a couple wanted their backyard to be flatter and retain less water, landscape contractor Lee Gilliam answered their call. With a simple process, he was able to repair the soil, regrade the lawn, and seed it for the growing season.
Where to find it?
- Level rake
- Starter fertilizer was used to boost early root growth after seeding.
- Sun and shade mix helps the grass grow well in varied light conditions.
- Lawn lime balances the soil’s pH for better growth.
- A metal rake breaks up soil and spreads any material used.
- The handheld leaf blower is used to clear anything that is unnecessary.
- A shovel is used to move soil and materials across the yard.
- The wheelbarrow can be used to transport loam across the yard.
- Loam provides a rich base for further seeding.
- A grading rake helps level the loam evenly and smoothly while grading.
- An iron rake breaks up any clumps and helps even out the surface.
- A seed spreader can spread any additional seeding needed.
The Best Indoor Plants for Every Light Level
Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada teaches host Kevin O’Connor about the light needs of some different potted plants that even he could keep alive.
Where to find it?
Plants and products provided by Weston Nurseries.
High-light Plants
Low-light plants
How to Install Solid Core Doors
There are many great reasons to upgrade from hollow-core doors to solid doors, including quality, fire safety, and soundproofing. When a homeowner wanted to upgrade his hollow-core doors for something more substantial, he called the team at Ask This Old House for help, and master carpenter Nathan Gilbert answered.
Where to find it?
Order Doors
Remove & Install Doors
Cut Doors to Size (if necessary)
- Sawhorses
- HEPA vacuum
- Circular saw–if you need to cut the door to size
- All purpose primer–add primer to any exposed wood after cutting
Add Hinges
- Combination square–to transfer hinge locations
- Router
- Router latch mortiser / Drop-in door hinge jig—comes with router template and router bit
- Drill
- Self-centering hinge bit–for hinge leaf pilot holes
Add Lockset
Door latch installation kit
Bi-metal adjustable door lock set kit—comes with all the bits needed to make your bore holes
Original Air Date: Nov 13, 2025, Season 24; Ep. 8 23:42
Products and Services from this Episode
Plants and products provided by Weston Nurseries.
All other tools and materials can be found at Home Depot or Amazon.
