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First, dig a hole a little larger than the plant's rootball. Put your hand over the rootball and turn the container over. Now, you can gently pull off the container with your other hand. Set the rootball in the hole, cover with loose soil, press down firmly and water thoroughly.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

These are nutrients, such as sulfur and iron, that plants need in tiny amounts. Generally, micronutrient deficiencies are not common because organic matter and most soils and fertilizers contain sufficient amounts.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

The less expensive hose is not reinforced. Medium-priced hoses are usually 5/8" and have some reinforcement in the walls. Higher-priced hoses have more reinforcement and are usually made with rubber.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

• Keep the top firmly in place. Exposing rainwater to sunlight and open air will encourage algae growth.
• Make sure the screen is secure to keep out water-loving bugs, like mosquitoes.
• Clean the filter regularly according to the manufacturer's directions, and inspect your rain barrel every once in a while for leaks.
• Keep your roof gutters clean, and make sure that water is flowing freely to and through the downspout when it rains.
• When watering your garden with the water from your rain barrel, keep the water flow at ground level, away from the stuff you'll actually be eating, and don't use rainwater within a couple of days of harvesting your crop.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

A landscape fabric lets water through while preventing weeds from growing. While plastic will stop weeds, it does not allow moisture penetration. Cutting small holes for your plants prevents weeds from growing in the bed but still allows your plants to get moisture. A sheet of plastic could be used if you are trying to keep anything from growing in an area, such as under a deck.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

There are basically two types: systemic and non-systemic. The systemic is absorbed by the plant and makes it poisonous. The non-systemic provides a coating on the outside of the plant.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Mulch is a the first line of defense against weeds, but knowing how many bags you need seems tricky. So here is a formula.

For 2" Deep Mulch Layer:  Multiply the number of square feet by 0.2
For 3" Deep Mulch Layer:  Multiply the number of square feet by 0.25
For 4" Deep Mulch Layer:  Multiply the number of square feet by 0.3

These plants last one season and die out.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Composting turns organic wastes into a valuable resource by creating an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that is excellent for adding to houseplants or enriching your garden soil and flower beds. Plus by recycling your yard and kitchen wastes you are reducing the volume of garbage sent to the landfills.

• A bin keeps the compost contained and looks neater.
  
  The two basic elements of compost are green garden debris (grass clippings or old plants) and brown garden derbis (dry leaves).
• Green ingredients are high in nitrogen and brown materials are high in carbon. Adding too many greens can make the pile smell bad.
• Compost piles with a balance of one part green to two part brown materials break down fastest.
  
  Compost also needs the correct amount of moisture to breakdown. Check your compost pile's moisture level once a week and adjust it if necessary by adding water to increase moisture or more browns to help dry the pile out. The correct moisture level should feel like a damp, wrung-out sponge. Too much moisture can cause temperatures to fall within the pile and make it smell. Too little moisture slows down the decomposition rate and keeps the pile from heating up.
  
  Turn the pile once a week to move material from the outside of the pile in. Turning also keeps the pile from compacting, which reduces airflow and slows down decomposition.
  
  You should have finished compost in about two months. You'll know your compost is finished when it no longer heats up and you can't identify any of the original materials. The compost should be dark brown, moist and earthy smelling.
• Never add animal waste, meats, oils, dairy, diseased plants, weeds that have gone to seed, or plants treated with pesticides or herbicides to your compost.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Admit it, at some point in time, you have had "lawn envy!" Surely you've driven past a neighbor's home, wondering how they got their grass to look so good. "Is it some special seed blend? A secret fertilizing plan?"

While the neighbors may have a few tricks up their sleeves, that can't stop you from getting a lawn that is deep green, lush and long-lasting. But, to do this, you'll have to get rid of those pesky weeds.

Weeds really detract from the look of the lawn, but there's hope if you treat them properly. First, give the lawn a good raking and pull out any dead patches or excess build up of thatch. Treat your lawn with Ortho Weed-B-Gone Lawn Weed Killer. This product will eliminate many of the most common "problem weeds," including clover, chickweed, oxalis and it'll even do a pretty good job on 'ol Creeping Charlie or ground ivy (these are the same thing). This product is rain-resistant in just hours and it won't harm the lawn.

Keep in mind, you will get a little grass kill by using the Weed-B-Gone, but once the weeds are taken care of, you can loosen up the soil and reseed the area. Then watch your lawn thicken up and look great!

Often times, really tough weeds get into the cracks in sidewalks, driveways and patios. If you need to tackle these and there is no surrounding vegetation (like grass you want to keep or a flower bed), it's best to use a total vegetation killer such as Round-Up Season Long Grass & Weed Killer. Many Ace stores are also carrying a new product called Concern, a fast-acting non-selective weed killer that uses a soap blend to kill nearly all weeds in just hours. What's more, Concern targets plant tissues and doesn't move through the soil, so nearby vegetation is pretty safe. You can replant after about two days.

Important tip: All of the aforementioned products should be used with caution. Be sure you read all labels, adhere to all applicable safety precautions and use the products as they are intended to be used.

Credit:  Lou Manfredini's Tips From the Tool Box, Ace Hardware

• Remove spent blossoms to encourage your rose bush to produce more flowers.
• Use a liquid food, like Miracle-Gro every few weeks or sprinkle granules around the base.
• Keep mulch around your roses and water 1 inch per week.
• Stop feeding them a month before first frost.
• After the first frost, add a few inches of topsoil over the base. If you live where it gets really cold, keep your rose bush snug by wrapping some sackcloth around it.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

It's best to plant most perennials in early spring or early fall. Read the planting tips on the seed packet or pot.

The earlier in the Spring growing season, the smaller the container and the less expensive the plant will be. Perennials in 4-inch (10 cm) pots may look small, but they are actually easier to establish in the garden than larger plants.

Look for signs of vigor in a nursery plant: healthy green leaves just coming out, either right by the soil or on a branch. Avoid plants with yellow, limp leaves or those that are root-bound.

Buy perennials in bloom if you want to be sure of the color.

To plant:

• After preparing soil, dig hole deep enough to hold root ball.
• Remove pot, break up root ball if root-bound.
• Place root in hole, fill with water.
• Refill with soil. Root ball should be slightly below soil surface.
• Water a second time.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.