The Handyguys discuss keeping critters out of you garden, mulching and considering a fence.

Critters in the garden

What kind of critters? The question that prompted this discussion was about keeping neighborhood cats out of your flower beds. What about deer? What about keeping rabbits out of your lettuce garden? We discuss several methods that will all work for different kinds of critters.

Fencing

If you put up an 8 foot chain link fence it will keep the deer out but who wants to do that. A small low wire fence may keep out rabbits, groundhogs and skunks.

Flowers

Some flowers, especially Marigolds, have been reported to keep rabbits out of vegetable gardens.

Repellents

Some repellents can be bought at the home center but Consider using cayenne pepper instead. Its been reported to work with many types of animals.

Sprinklers

Yup – How about a motion activated sprinkler to keep the cats away? You need to check out the Scarecrow Sprinkler.

What are you doing Lately

Mulch

Lots of us do it. But what are our options?

If you don’t have a pickup truck you have a few options. you can buy it by the bag and bring it home in the trunk of your car or you can have it delivered in bulk.If you have your own truck, you can inexpensively get a truck load at many nurseries. Many communities also will have free mulch program. Listen to the show as the Handyguys discuss spreading mulch and precautions that should be taken.

Tip: When dealing with mulch in bulk don’t try to shovel it. Use a pitch fork to load it into your wheelbarrow. You can use a scoop to get the last bits off the driveway but the pitchfork works great when attacking the main pile.

Fencing

The Handyguys wrap up the show briefly discussion if Handyguy Brian should consider a fence for his yard.

The Handyguys Discuss the “Leatherman” for your yard.

Handyguy Paul wonders if there is an all-in-one tool that can edge, trim, prune, blow leaves and shovel your snow.  Well, with the exception of the snow, there is such a tool.  In fact several manufacturers make such a tool.  Stihl calls theirs the “Kombi” because it is truly a master combination tool for  your yard.

But first, the Handyguys answer a listener question about cedar siding:

I just bought a house with Cedar siding.  I live in Northern IL.  According to the pre-purchase inspector the siding is in fair condition.  It needs some sealant and to be retreated or painted.  What kind of sealant and paint or treatment would you recommend? I want to keep the current color of the wood as best as possible.
Thanks
Jas

Thanks for the question Jas.  Brian used to have Cedar siding on his old house so he has a definite opinion on the matter.  Listen to the podcast for his response.

Combination yard tools

Now on to the combination yard tools.  Brian owns and operates one of the Stihl Kombi tools and has found it very useful.  The main benefit is that you only have to maintain one engine for several different yard tools

But Paul is not convinced.  Can this single tool really do a good job with each task or does it have to make compromises?  And are there other manufacturers of these tools?

Brian explains why he likes his Stihl KombiSystem, but there are certainly other comparable tools: Ryobi, Echo, Husqvarna, Troybilt, John Deere.

Listen to the full podcast for Brian’s opinion on the tool and for the Handyguy’s overall opinions on this tool category.