Benjamin Hansen
Licensed Landscape Contractor
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Co-authored Articles (17)
How to
Level Ground
Homeowners level ground in their yards for a variety of reasons. Some people level the ground before building a new home, especially when the property has hills. Others level ground to prepare for new above-ground swimmi...
How to
Build a Concrete Driveway
Concrete driveways are permanent, low maintenance additions to your home that can improve its appearance, give kids a safe place to ride scooters, decrease erosion, and make keeping your car clean easier. Building one c...
How to
Install a French Drain
A French drain, also called a curtain drain, is made by placing a perforated pipe in a trench that has been filled with gravel. It is a great option if you want to direct surface water away from your home’s foundation ...
How to
Deal with Exposed Tree Roots
As a tree ages, shallow roots can sometimes expand to the point that they become exposed above the surface of the soil. Roots can also become exposed due to soil erosion or cramped conditions forcing the roots to the sur...
How to
Dig up Tree Roots
A beginner's guide to safely digging up and cutting out tree roots by hand Tree roots can sometimes be unsightly in our yards, causing us to want to dig up them up. Other times, they can become dangerous, such as when a ...
How to
Level the Ground for a Shed
A new shed is a great asset, but can cause a lot of problems if it's not placed on level ground. If you're worried about your shed being unsteady, it's relatively easy and affordable to level the area in a matter of hour...
How to
Build a Pergola
A pergola is an open outdoor structure that is made up of wooden posts and has a trussed roof. To build a pergola you'll need to prepare and measure a space in your yard before laying down the foundation posts. Once a st...
How to
Clear Land
Clearing land can definitely be a big job, but if you take it step-by-step, it is doable. Start by sizing up the situation to determine how much of the job you can handle yourself, and which portions of the project might...
How to Install Artificial Turf
Putting in synthetic grass to achieve a lawn that's always green With proper installation, an artificial lawn requires no regular maintenance apart from an occasional spray to keep it clean.. 6 October 2020. The installa...
How to Grow Grass in High Traffic Dog Areas
Think dogs and beautiful lawns can’t mix? Think again! While high-traffic areas do require a bit more love, with the right grass seed and upkeep, you can regrow bare patches and keep your lawn looking luscious all year...
How to
Make Stepping Stones
Creating a stepping stone pathway in your yard or garden can be a necessary part of landscaping as well as a form of self-expression. Although there are many ways to create yard and garden pathways, making your own stepp...
How to Redo Rock Landscaping
Rock landscaping is a beautiful way to add interest to your garden or yard, but sometimes you just need to change it up. Contrary to how it sounds, moving a bunch of rocks around is actually pretty easy with the right ap...
The Ultimate Guide to Starting and Growing a Clover Lawn
Grow this low-maintenance alternative to grass with our help Clover is a popular alternative to grass for front and backyard lawns, mostly because clover is affordable, easy to grow, simple to maintain, and drought-res...
How to
Lay a Turf Lawn
If you’ve ever envied your neighbor's lush green lawn, you might be thinking about laying down some turf in your yard. Turf is an easy way to replace a patchy lawn with bright, even grass, but only if you do it the rig...
How to
Use Prepackaged Concrete Mix
For very small concrete projects like sidewalk or driveway repairs, bags of premixed concrete can be a money saving alternative to buying ''Ready-Mixed'' bulk concrete. This product, available in bags of dry blended mat...
When Does Grass Seed Sprout? A Complete Growing Guide
How to care for new grass seed so bare spots grow in quickly You want a thick and lush lawn, but when will the new grass seed you planted grow in? Even though it doesn’t take very long for grass seed to germinate, tim...
How to
What's the best wood to use to build a shed?
Not sure what type of wood is best for your shed project? You have a few different options, but not all types of wood will work. There are some woods that won’t stand up to the elements and should definitely be avoided...
