Garden hacks, Garden Tools

Alkaline Soils

In our area, we have alkaline soils. They are soils over a pH of 7 (under this would be acid soils you find in the Eastern parts of the US). An alkaline soil contains a high degree of calcium, sodium, iron, and magnesium. This makes the soil limit the available nutrients. Plants that like a more neutral soil or even acid soil end up with leaves turning yellow in the summer, especially in dry soil. The plant will become stunted and more prone to winter damage.

Simple pH prong meter
3 in 1 pH meter (fertility, moisture, and pH)

Luckily, they are many trees and shrubs that are tolerant of alkaline soils. The problem comes in growing acid “wanting” trees and shrubs even if they are tolerant of the winter cold. Some of the shrubs that you find in greenhouses for sales like azaleas, rhododendrons, witch hazels, kalmias, and holly will not thrive. I have tried holly but after 4 years of not growing finally gave in and died.

You noticed with hydrangeas with the beautiful blue flower fade to pink after a year or two. If the soil is acid, the flower is blue, if alkaline the flower is pink or an ugly pinkish white.

Chemical pH test kit
Chemical pH test (harder to use, but more accurate)

Some of the trees that want acid soil and are even cold tolerant of our area are most oaks, red maples (many are also borderline cold tolerant), and magnolias. To a lesser extent many pines, birches, and silver maples.

To fix alkaline soil is a bother, adding sulfur (3 oz sulfur to one square yard of soil). If the soil is clay or sand, mixing in peat moss helps bring it to a neutral pH. There are home test pH meters that are accurate and cheap, so you know what your soil pH is.

DIY Projects

Outdoor Grilling Station

The most common outdoor grilling station is one made of concrete or patio blocks sitting on a wood patio or wooden one. It can have an overhead roof with a patio table and chairs. You can make it as cheap as you want also.

You want the station close to the house which makes it easy to haul supplies back and forth. If you want to run electricity or waterlines to the station from the house, it is cheaper. A water supply whether from a hose or water line makes for easy washup. There are plumb sinks that are hooked to a garden hose for water supply that can be placed on the countertop. The dirty water goes in another garden hose to your flowerbeds.

The grill or smoker can be set in brick or patio stone which is easy to place and affordable. Placing in a cabinet will make storage easy.

You will want a countertop to place everything on. Whether granite (more expensive), outdoor ceramic tile, or wood.

You can build a roof over the top of the grilling station or a pergola to add shade. Place light under the roof for night grilling and entertaining. You can purchase propane portable heaters for warmth on colder nights.

DIY Projects

Outdoor Grilling Station

The most common outdoor grilling station is one made of concrete or patio blocks sitting on a wood patio or wooden one. It can have an overhead roof with a patio table and chairs. You can make it as cheap as you want also.


You want the station close to the house which makes it easy to haul supplies back and forth. If you want to run electricity or waterlines to the station from the house, it is cheaper. A water supply whether from a hose or water line makes for easy washup. There are no plumb sinks that are hooked to a garden hose for water supply that can be placed on the countertop. The dirty water goes in another garden hose to your flowerbeds.


The grill or smoker can be set in brick or patio stone which is easy to place and affordable. Placing in a cabinet will make storage easy. You will want a countertop to place everything on. Whether granite (more expensive), outdoor ceramic tile, or wood.


You can build a roof over the top of the grilling station or a pergola to add shade. Place light under the roof for night grilling and entertaining. You can purchase propane portable heaters for warmth on colder nights.