In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Lee Gilliam helps a homeowner give their backyard a fresh look. After amending the soil and adding some drip irrigation, the homeowner’s blank-slate backyard takes on a new life.

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When a homeowner who travels a lot called the team at Ask This Old House for help with her backyard, landscape contractor Lee Gilliam answered the call. With a quick assessment, Lee knew the soil needed to be amended and the two would have to do something about the heat. By mixing compost and fertilizer into the soil and adding drip irrigation, the pair fixed this ho-hum backyard in short order.

Where to find it?
Use a rake [https://homedepot.sjv.io/1rO1dR] to remove loose gravel and decorative stones from the top layer. A rototiller [https://homedepot.sjv.io/anXAGj] will prep and loosen the soil for receiving nutrients and new plants. Once the soil is tilled add a layer of organic compost [https://homedepot.sjv.io/1r9vWR] and rake it out evenly. Add an organic fertilizer [https://homedepot.sjv.io/6ej1gm] and mix it into the soil with another pass of the rototiller. After new plants have been added, finish by adding a roughly two inches of leaf mulch [https://homedepot.sjv.io/rQPDPj].

Plants include: Boxwood [https://homedepot.sjv.io/KjbGze], Annabelle hydrangea [https://homedepot.sjv.io/q4Mvyg], Lacecap hydrangea [https://homedepot.sjv.io/jrb4mZ], Sedums [https://homedepot.sjv.io/QyDXbx], Catnip [https://homedepot.sjv.io/eKz2NX], Black-eyed Susan.

Drip irrigation system [https://homedepot.sjv.io/21De5a] professionally installed by Marks Contracting in Waltham, MA.

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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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