Hints & Tips - Outside the House

KILL WEEDS WITH BOILING WATER

• Pour boiling water on weeds growing between pavers of a pathway.  Keep the kettle close to the ground to avoid splashing yourself -- or any nearby plants you want to keep.

TOPIARY TEMPLATE

• A morning of pruning by eye can turn into an afternoon of trying to balance lopsided shrubs.  With a tripod template as a guide, it is easier to trim plants into even, well-proportioned cones.  Tie three bamboo poles of appropriate height together at the top.  The feet of the poles can be spread or pulled closer to form a broader or taller cone.

KEEPING DIRT IN LINE

• Window boxes filled with vibrant flowers are a welcome sign of spring.  But when it rains, the soil in them often spatters, dirtying windows and sills.  To prevent the muddy splashes, spread river stones (available at garden centers) in a layer over the tops of the flower beds.  The stones will act as a barrier while keeping the soil moist for the blooming plants.