Better Homes and Gardens episode 27 2023 – Joh and Adam embark on an epic journey across the lush, rolling emerald hills and cliffs of the enchanting isle of Ireland. After many long days of travel admiring the picturesque landscape, they finally arrive at their ultimate destination. As the golden sun begins to set over the horizon, Ed gets a cozy campfire going and begins baking a mouthwatering homemade apple-chocolate hazelnut pie from scratch to share with his friends.
The aromatic medley of sweet and savory smells from the fresh baked pie slowly cooking over the open fire fill the evening air as they sit closely around the crackling flames under the vast, starry night sky. Meanwhile, at the veterinary research lab of the prestigious University of Sydney, Dr. Harry is hard at work tirelessly researching and advocating for canine blood donors. He thoroughly explains that just as humans have different blood types, dogs have different blood types as well, and donated dog blood is absolutely essential for life-saving blood transfusions and critical surgeries after injuries or illnesses.
Dr. Harry describes the careful screening process and exceptional care the selfless canine donors receive to ensure their continued health and wellbeing. He passionately stresses the vital importance of healthy pet dogs volunteering as blood donors to generously help save the lives of other sick or injured dogs in desperate need of their blood. The incredibly moving tale of these altruistic canine heroes nobly saving countless lives with their blood donations is truly inspirational and heartwarming.
Better Homes and Gardens episode 27 2023
Bring Your Lawn Back to Life This Spring
Spring is the perfect time to get your lawn looking lush and healthy again after a long winter. Follow these 5 tips to help revive your grass and get your yard ready for the warmer months ahead.
- Dethatch your lawn if you notice thick layers of dead grass or debris. Use a rake to remove the buildup, allowing air and sunlight to reach the soil. Aerating can also help break through compacted areas.
- Apply a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus to encourage root growth. Look for organic options to avoid harmful chemicals. Slow-release nitrogen also feeds grass plants over time.
- Overseed any bare or thinning spots to fill them in. Use a mix suited for full sun or shade depending on your needs. Water lightly every day to keep seeds moist.
- Adjust your mowing height up to 3 inches. Taller grass promotes deeper roots and shades out weeds. Never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade at once.
- Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots. About an inch per week is ideal, split into 2-3 sessions. Let the soil dry between waterings to avoid disease.
As the winter thaw gives way to the blossoming renewal of spring, now is the perfect time to get your lawn looking lush, healthy, and vibrant again after a long, dormant winter. Follow these 5 essential tips to help revive and rejuvenate your grass, transforming your yard into a beautiful green oasis ready for the warmer months ahead.
First and foremost, thoroughly dethatch your lawn if you notice considerable layers of dead, matted grass and debris building up. Use a sturdy metal rake to gently remove this thatch buildup, allowing nourishing air and sunlight to fully reach the soil and grass roots underneath. In addition, core aeration can help penetrate and break through any compacted or clogged areas of soil, improving drainage and oxygen flow.
Next, apply a high-quality starter fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus content to strongly encourage vigorous new root growth and development. Be sure to look for natural, organic fertilizer options to avoid dumping harmful chemicals onto your lawn. Slow-release nitrogen is also ideal, providing a steady feed of nutrition to your budding grass plants over an extended period of time.
Now is also the opportune time to overseed any glaring bare or thinning spots, allowing new grass to grow and fill in to create a lush, consistent cover. Use a grass seed mix specifically tailored for full sun or moderate shade depending on your unique needs. Gently water for a few minutes every morning to keep seeds consistently moist, not soaked, as they germinate and sprout.
When mowing your lawn, adjust the cutting height up to approximately 3 inches for optimal results. Taller grass promotes healthier, deeper root systems and also helps shade out pesky weeds. Never cut off more than one third of the total grass blade length at any one mowing session.
Water thoroughly yet infrequently, aiming for roughly an inch of water per week, split between 2-3 separate watering sessions. Allow the soil to partially dry out between deeper waterings to prevent fungal diseases. Proper lawn watering techniques encourage vigorous development of deep grass roots.
With attentive care and strategic maintenance this spring, your lawn will flourish into a vibrant emerald green oasis, healthy and thriving, just in time for the warmer months ahead. Start with these fundamental best practices now for maximum beauty and enjoyment all season long. A lush lawn awaits!
Joh and Adam’s Irish adventure
Strap on your backpack, lace up your hiking boots, and join intrepid explorers Joh and Adam as they embark on an epic journey across the Emerald Isle. From the cobblestone streets of Dublin to the craggy cliffs of the Wild Atlantic Way, this grand tour of Ireland will take you to ancient castles steeped in legend, atmospheric pubs filled with music and revelry, and rolling green landscapes dotted with grazing sheep.
In Dublin, Joh and Adam will visit the most haunted castle in Ireland, where ghostly apparitions are said to roam the spiral staircases after dark. Afterwards, they’ll head to the highest pub in the city to sip Irish stouts and listen to traditional musicians plucking folk ballads late into the night.
Venturing beyond the capital, our adventurers will experience the real Ireland of enduring Celtic traditions and rugged rural beauty. Johanna tries her hand at sheep herding, learning to use whistles and her trusty border collie to gather a flock scattered across emerald hills. Adam has a go at hurling, Ireland’s fast-paced national sport, and crafts his own hurley stick to swing at lightning speed.
From haunted castles to misty Middle Earth-like landscapes, experience the magic and mystery of Ireland along with Johanna and Adam. As you follow their footsteps, you’ll come to understand the enduring pride, humor, and generous spirit of the Irish people that have made this island a destination like no other. Sláinte!
Charlie visits Strathbogie garden
Nestled within the rugged beauty of Victoria’s Strathbogie Ranges exists a unique property whose raw, natural surroundings are in harmony with its thoughtfully designed spaces. Upon a windswept hill, architects Phillip Johnson and Sue Barnett crafted a home and garden that pay homage to the untamed wilderness. Using hardy native plants and recycled materials, they shaped the landscape to complement its organic features. Massive boulders cut through swathes of indigenous grasses as gnarled old eucalypts stand sentinel on the property’s edges. The garden choreography of texture and shape brings a sense of cultivation to the wild terrain without sacrificing its essence.
As you meander along the garden paths, memories surface of childhood adventures in Australia’s bush. The feeling of being both grounded and uplifted permeates the space. The meditation circle with its stone walls and open sky beckons quiet contemplation. Nearby, waves of purple and gold sway gently in the herb garden as bees dance lazily from blossom to blossom. In the lower garden, geometric patterns emerge from red gravel and local sandstone while olive trees offer dappled afternoon shade. At every turn, nature’s beauty is celebrated and enhanced. To spend time here is to be restored by the unique dialogue between raw landscape and thoughtful design. The Phillip Johnson garden is a testament to the power of honouring one’s surroundings and finding harmony between artifice and untouched nature. An oasis for the soul.
Make a garden path with stuff at home
The humble side path is often overlooked as merely a utilitarian way to get from the front to the back of a house. But it doesn’t have to be! With a bit of imagination and effort, that tired old sidewalk can become an oasis—a delightful, meandering trail surrounded by lush greenery.
Charlie has decided to transform his dreary side path into an inviting garden walkway. He will reroute the existing path into a gently curving trail that feels more natural. Along the new path’s borders, he will plant an assortment of colorful flowers, textured grasses, and leafy shrubs to create a living tapestry on either side. Stepping stones and decorative touches like garden art and containers will add visual interest along the way.
To save money, Charlie will repurpose materials and plants found around the property. Weathered brick, flagstone, or pavers can be unearthed and given new life as edging or stepping stones. Established perennials can be divided and transplanted. Even old garden decor, like a wrought iron trellis or concrete birdbath, can find a place in the new design. With a bit of creativity, these salvaged elements will give the path an instant aged and homey feel.
The transformation from lackluster walkway to verdant garden trail may take some work, but the end result will be a joyful, relaxing oasis every time Charlie passes between the front and back of his home. His project shows that a utilitarian side path can become so much more when thoughtfully designed with greenery, texture, and repurposed materials.