How to Revive a Garden Bed | Ask This Old House

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 [homedepot.sjv.io/1rO1dR] to remove loose gravel and decorative stones from the top layer. A rototiller [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 [homedepot.sjv.io/1r9vWR] and rake it out evenly. Add an organic fertilizer [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 [homedepot.sjv.io/rQPDPj].
Plants include: Boxwood [homedepot.sjv.io/KjbGze], Annabelle hydrangea [homedepot.sjv.io/q4Mvyg], Lacecap hydrangea [homedepot.sjv.io/jrb4mZ], Sedums [homedepot.sjv.io/QyDXbx], Catnip [homedepot.sjv.io/eKz2NX], Black-eyed Susan.
Drip irrigation system [homedepot.sjv.io/21De5a] professionally installed by Marks Contracting in Waltham, MA.
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How to Revive a Garden Bed | Ask This Old House
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[@mattpinto2351]

No one can replace Roger, but this guy seems to know his stuff. I look forward to seeing what he does in the future.

[@tree3po]

I like this new guy. Good dude.

[@user-ps4dq6vd7f]

No need for drip irrigation or intense soil amendments with nice hardy native perennials. And you get a ton of birds and butterflies as a bonus

[@tjtampa214]

Nice job. 🌿🌷🌿 One thing is I see in my neighborhood ... a lot of people putting in underground irrigation and then they never use it later. This is commercial properties like Condominiums and Townhomes and also at the Walmart near me. They paid a lot of money for the landscaping and for the irrigation and then they just never spend the money on the water and all the plants die. Makes no sense to me.

[@JJ-to6qu]

Explain soil ph and why it matters. Talk about the importance of grading so close to a house’s foundation.

[@oracleoptix]

Right!? He's so dull and doesn't explain anything...

[@Kevin-mp5of]

@@oracleoptix he's a complete fumbling hack. He's not qualified to put away a garden hose...

[@Kevin-mp5of]

@@oracleoptix the only thing this guy is capable of explaining is what's on the McDonald's menu...

[@LondonisAmazing]

Looks Beautiful!!!

[@jasonmarshall819]

Good dude,fits in well

[@randyd3649]

I love the look of it but in a few short years I feel like it will be way too crowded as the plants grow.

[@ddogg14]

This stuff seems pretty easy to prune or relocate to other parts of the yard if it's getting too crowded.

[@biffy7]

From Vila to Lee. Welcome Lee. Nice job.

[@will5150]

I like Lee. I think he'll be a good replacement for Roger.

[@Its_crazyadamla]

No one can replace Roger......

[@johnlebzelter4208]

@@Its_crazyadamlaClearly he did.

[@xavierh08]

There is only one Roger... welcome Lee.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

Rogaah can no longah plahy in da yaahd

[@CantankerousDave]

He’s got the accent for it.

[@EvgheniiDoroschevici]

How about water going right under basement? i didn't notice french drain on that side of the wall. How safe is it to water almost continuously under the house wall?

[@robertm5969]

The water should only be enough to keep the top 2" of soil moist. Shouldn't cause water infiltration issues

[@richardp5920]

Looks nice when it’s finished, but I’m curious how well it drains, and how much of that mulch is going to wash into the sidewalk at the next heavy rain.

[@joeivo911]

Great video

[@liljudd7693]

Are there new episodes still being made? Anyone know by chance? Thank you ❤

[@josereyna8885]

Nice segment. Was there any reason why a weed screen wasn’t installed? The mulch will keep weeds away for only so long.

[@Rymac91]

I haven't had too much luck with landscape fabric in garden beds as weed roots frequently cling to it or punch holes in it. It's been a lot easier to just skip the fabric and just use mulch to keep the weeds out. Landscape fabric better as a filter material to keep dirt out of drainage channels than as weed barrier.

[@JW86SH]

I've been hearing more complaints about using weed fabric lately. Seems like a little work every now and again is better than wasting money on it.

[@agodinez80]

A good layer of mulch will keep out most weeds. I haven't had many issues with weeds breaking through in my beds since I have a good health layer of pine bark mulch. The weed screen is not very useful for beds.

[@Bigdrawss]

Should of lowered the garden bed, first good rain all that compost and mulch will be washed out.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

Should HAVE paid attention in English class...

[@roger4880]

Excellent

[@jumbowana]

Is that not bad for the foundation?

[@Kevin-mp5of]

Yes it is but it's job security for another trade...

[@ddogg14]

Are boxwoods really strong enough to harm the foundation?

[@jumbowana]

@@ddogg14 I was thinking mostly the consistently damp soil wearing on the concrete.

[@ovidiuciuparu6421]

6:23 2 things here. 1. 100% i like the garden! 2. I think they just screwed up the house! Digging that out… will let the water inflate the foundation…and that basement will be filed with water in no time!

[@rickwallace2091]

Paint the foundation 1 st

[@oscar.gonzalez]

Leaf mulch, never heard of that.

[@558vulcanxh]

It works OK here in the UK 🇬🇧 😊

[@robertoler3795]

well done nice job Lee

[@juliebarnett9812]

So what about the pH makes the moss? That wasn't explained at all.

[@giowawa5035]

Moss probably thrives in a particular pH level.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

It wasn't explained because he has no idea what he's talking about and just repeating something he's heard. This guy's a hack.

[@ddogg14]

In hot humid climates, I've seen moss grow in all sorts of soils. Moisture and sunlight are important for moss just like any other plant. I would've liked an explanation on the connection to pH too. Isn't it easy to test?

[@jmfia2391]

@@Kevin-mp5of You know nothing at all. Keep pretending.

[@RandomVids519]

Lees a real…neighbour 😅

[@TacoVic]

I guess the skipped the part where they power wash those nasty blue stones and pavers. Did anyone else catch that??

[@RandomVids519]

Shh

[@robertm5969]

Leaf blower

[@RegNarnoc21]

Not a good idea having soil against an out side wall.

[@ddogg14]

What if it's just a slab/no basement, and the soil level is kept below the weep holes?

[@RegNarnoc21]

@@ddogg14 as long it’s below damp proof level it would be fine..

[@rknotz187]

Boxwoods will get destroyed in the heat.

[@ddogg14]

There are varieties of boxwood that are very heat and drought tolerant. I've seen them thrive firsthand in hot climates once they're established. As long as they are kept watered while they settle in, I bet the boxwoods will do fine

[@shanew7361]

That irrigation for drip is cheap trash.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

Perfect.

[@stavroslask1292]

Way too many plants. In 3 months it’ll be a disaster

[@patirvin-bz9pg]

Nothing against Lee, but seriously, this woman can't manage this pocket garden? I'm 79 and manage a 1/3 acre garden, with heavy clay. I'm 5'2", and top out at 107 pounds. Maybe midwesterners are tougher.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

But then you wouldn’t have a show to watch and post silly comments on, now would you Einstein?

[@jmfia2391]

😂😂😂😂😂😂​@@Kevin-mp5of

[@ddogg14]

Not everyone has the same priorities and resources. Sometimes it can be hard to get started from scratch. Nothing against you or your garden, just pointing out that she may have recently moved in, is new to gardening, etc.

[@Joe-ex6is]

I don't like this guy. He interrupted the owner's talk quite often. And he operates the machine clumsy. Are you real pro?

[@jasonn1473]

He did exceptionally well. DON'T watch. FIND something to do with your life.

[@DylanAr479]

The machine moves on dirt. That's how it works. You just wanna complain as if you could do any better. 😂

[@Underbelly-md9sh]

Im sure he wouldn't like you either.

[@user-lg9et8tw3q]

Lol. He never did that. Misery loves company.

[@JW86SH]

Bigger fellows can handle operating machinery a little more clumsily. Nothing wrong with that.

[@MoklesKhan-vb9uq]

Hi