Landscape contractor Lee Gilliam takes us on a house call to help a homeowner solve their backyard garden problem. After a quick assessment, Lee realizes that the soil needs to be amended and that a heat problem exists. The homeowner can finally enjoy a backyard garden by adding fertilizer, compost, and drip irrigation.
Next, we celebrate the incredible career of professional painter Stephanie Young. Stephanie has been painting since 2007 and has expanded her business, Pro Image Painting, through painstaking training and attention to detail. She also operates the Pro Image Academy and developed a brush cleaning tool.
Finally, after receiving a call for help reducing the humidity in an older home’s bathroom, master electrician Heath Eastman takes us on the road. After discussing some options, Heath and the homeowner decided that a remote fan with ductwork was best, and Heath installed a new timer switch to accompany it.
How to Revive a Garden Bed
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 to remove loose gravel and decorative stones from the top layer. A rototiller will prep and loosen the soil for receiving nutrients and new plants. Once the soil is tilled, add a layer of organic compost and rake it out evenly. Add an organic fertilizer and mix it into the soil with another pass of the rototiller. After new plants have been added, finish by adding roughly two inches of leaf mulch.
Boxwood, Annabelle hydrangea, Lacecap hydrangea, Sedums, Catnip, Black-eyed Susan
Drip irrigation system professionally installed by Marks Contracting in Waltham, MA.
Celebrating Craftsmanship | Stephanie’s Pro Image Painting
Meet Stephanie Young, Owner of Pro Image Painting LLC. Based in Londonderry, NH, Pro Image is a painting contractor that has been specializing in interior and exterior painting services since 2007—all thanks to Stephanie.
Where to find it?
How to Install a Bathroom Fan with Old Wiring
Updating bathroom ventilation isn’t usually all that big of a deal. But in an older home, the outdated electrical system and lack of an existing vent system can make it tough. When a homeowner wanted to add ventilation to her older home, master electrician Heath Eastman was the pro for the job, and he took us along for the ride.
Where to find it?
Heath installs a remote motor bath fan in the attic above the bathroom.
To cut a hole in the ceiling for the exhaust grille, Heath uses a 6” hole saw.
For the new switcher, heath installs a timer switch that has the option of setting the fan for 10, 20, 30, or 60-minute increments.
The sheet metal technician installs 4-inch ductwork which connects from the damper, to the remote motor, then out the exterior of the gable end.
Original Air Date: May 9, 2024, Season 22; Ep. 23 23:42
Products and services from this episode
- Drip irrigation install: Marks Contracting, Waltham, MA
- Celebrating Craftsmanship: Pro Image Painting, Inc.