Dale Yalanovsky

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Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.

As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Dale Yalanovsky

  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Check The Solenoid On A Riding Lawn Mower

    How to Check the Solenoid on a Riding Lawn Mower. All riding lawn mowers run on the same type of 12-volt circuit that an automobile runs on, and some of the parts are nearly interchangeable, such as the solenoid and starter. So exactly like an automobile, when the solenoid wears out or goes bad, it will not send any power to the starter. A clue to a bad solenoid is a clicking noise coming from under the hood, but checking the voltage at the solenoid is a sure way to troubleshoot the problem.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Tell If A Coil On A Tiller Is Bad

    How to Tell if a Coil on a Tiller Is Bad. A tiller engine coil works exactly the same as any coil on an internal combustion engine. It boosts the electricity from the magneto and sends it to a spark plug. The plug conducts this electricity into the cylinder where the electrode on the plug "sparks." The sparking action combusts the fuel inside of the engine cylinder, sending power to the tiller proper. Testing the coil can be done by virtually anyone with even a little do-it-yourself experience.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Repair A Hole In A Riding Lawnmower Gas Tank

    How to Repair a Hole in a Riding Lawnmower Gas Tank. Fixing a hole in a gas tank can be done securely with basic household tools and a little elbow grease. Making it a bit more DIY friendly is the fact that virtually all modern riding mower tanks are made of plastic, so there is no need for soldering or welding like there would be on a regular metal type of gas tank.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Replace Cutting String In Ryobi Weed Eaters

    How to Replace Cutting String in Ryobi Weed Eaters. When you have decided to replace the cutting string on your Ryobi weed eater, commonly known as string trimmers and weed whackers, always use the correct line size that is recommended for that particular model. String size is specific for each size and type of trimmer, whether they are consumer or professional models, and if you do not have an owners manual to reference, the thickness will always be marked on the weed eater spool itself. Any other thickness of line other than what is recommended, will not allow the proper feeding or functionality, so always use the correct thickness for best trimming and hassle free results.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Water High Plants

    How to Water High Plants. A good explanation of a high plant can be any plant that is above shoulder level, and hanging plants fit into this description. At that height and beyond, it not only gets difficult to lift buckets or cans full of water, but it also puts you in an off-balanced position, which is the precursor for an accident waiting to happen. Taking down plants to water them is one solution, but for a less time-consuming and strenuous method, there are better ways.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Kill Scrub Oaks

    How to Kill Scrub Oaks. Scrub oaks are considered a poisonous plant in pastures for grazing animals. Although wild animals such as squirrels and deer love them, scrub oaks contain a substance called oak tannins which are considered toxic for livestock when ingested. The buds, leaves and acorns are the most toxic parts of the plant, and for successful use of pastureland, all scrub oaks must be removed before livestock are allowed to graze in the pasture.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Repair A Garden Sprayer

    How to Repair a Garden Sprayer. Garden sprayers are pretty much self-contained, and unlike the sprayers of yesteryear made of steel, brass and bronze, modern sprayers are almost exclusively made of plastic. Because of this, they are fairly inexpensive. That means that with any major problem, like the container getting holed, or the pump handle breaking, it is far more cost-effective to buy something new than to try and repair it. However, from the pump to the hoses and nozzles, there are ways to repair issues in a cost-effective manner.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Troubleshoot MTD Rider Solenoid Mowers

    How to Troubleshoot MTD Rider Solenoid Mowers. Virtually every MTD riding mower with a battery and keyed ignition system can be called a solenoid mower. This is because the electric starting function needs a solenoid to operate properly. For MTD riding mowers and nearly every other electrically started vehicle, a solenoid will be an integral part of the ignition circuit. All solenoids act like an electromagnetic switch. When the ignition has been activated, the solenoid closes the circuit and allows power to the starter. If the starter does not respond when the ignition is turned to the "start" position, the first thing to do is to troubleshoot the solenoid.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Cut Hay With A Sickle Mower

    How to Cut Hay With a Sickle Mower. The two most common ways to cut hay are with a disc hay mower and the tried-and-true sickle hay mower. Disc mowers cut faster and don't care much about moisture, but sickle mowers give a cleaner cut and allow the hay to recover and grow back faster, which is a major plus for multiple harvests in a single growing season. Sickle mowers are also easier to repair and take less power to use, but the trade-off is that it needs to be run at a slower speed for good cutting results.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Replace A Starter Solenoid On A Lawn Mower

    How to Replace a Starter Solenoid on a Lawn Mower. The starter solenoid on a lawn mower acts like an electronic switch. When the ignition key for the mower is turned to the "start" position, the solenoid engages and sends electrical current from the battery to the starter. When the solenoid fails, there is no way to repair it, and it must be replaced.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022

    How To Tune A Gas Leaf Blower Engine

    How to Tune a Gas Leaf Blower Engine. Gas leaf blower engines are generally high-performance two-cycle engines. Two-cycle engines give more power for the size over a four-cycle engine, but to do this they use a mixture of gasoline and oil. Therein lies the problem. All of these engines are tuned at the factory using precisely pre-mixed fuel and consequently, they will run absolutely fine the first few times you use them. After that, unless you have access to factory-mixed fuel, you may have to do a bit of tuning and tweaking to keep your leaf blower running at its optimum.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky November 3rd, 2022

    How To Charge A 12 Volt Mower Battery

    How to Charge a 12 Volt Mower Battery. 12-volt mower batteries are almost identical to 12-volt car batteries except that they are physically smaller. They both run on the same type of electrical system, but on a lawn mower the setup is much simpler, which is why the battery can be smaller yet still keep a lawn tractor up and running for years. The size of these batteries is what makes the real difference here, and you'll need the right battery charger for the correct job.

    By Dale Yalanovsky November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Change The Oil In Cub Cadet Lawn Mowers

    How to Change the Oil in Cub Cadet Lawn Mowers. Cub Cadet lawnmowers are known for their quality and reliability. To keep your Cub Cadet up and running, a seasonal oil change is recommended. Although there are many different types and models of Cub Cadet lawn mowers, the instructions provided here will pertain to virtually every one. Always refill your Cub Cadet with factory recommended 5W-20 automotive motor oil for the best performance and maximum durability.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    Fertilizer For Banana Trees

    Fertilizer for Banana Trees. Banana trees are not just for commercial growing anymore. There are many varieties of smaller or dwarf banana plants that can be grown indoors or outdoors all year long, depending on the climate. But the one thing all banana tress have in common is their need for a quality fertilizer, which will not only help the tree remain healthy and strong, but will also give the biggest yields of delectable fruit.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Test A Lawn Mower Ignition Coil

    How to Test a Lawn Mower Ignition Coil. One of the symptoms of a bad lawn mower ignition coil appears when you are mowing the lawn and the mower gets hot and literally shuts off. The mower must cool down over a period of time and will start and run for awhile until it gets hot again, at which time it will shut off again. The only real way to determine if it is a bad ignition coil and not another problem is to test the coil itself.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Restart A Flooded Mower Engine

    How to Restart a Flooded Mower Engine. Flooded lawn mowers can happen in a variety of ways. Too much priming can saturate the inside of the cylinder; an old spark plug that doesn't fire correctly, or even old gasoline that doesn't want to burn. Any or all of those can cause a flooded engine that won't start. The best way to prevent flooding is to always use clean fresh gasoline, and always replace the spark plug once per mowing season. If you do that and the mower still floods, try this.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Troubleshoot A John Deere Mower Deck

    How to Troubleshoot a John Deere Mower Deck. John Deere mower decks are attached to the chassis with tiller tine pins. A belt comes off the engine and engages the mower blades, which are attached to spindles or a bearing-and-pulley assembly that transfers the power from the belt to the blades. If something goes wrong anywhere along the line, you may notice that the mower deck is not cutting right.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Make Your Greenhouse Into A Rainforest

    How to Make Your Greenhouse Into a Rainforest. Before attempting to make a greenhouse into a rainforest, you'll have to understand the conditions. During any given year, rainforests receive between about 50 and 250 inches of rainfall, or 100 inches on average. The humidity ratings are between 77 percent and 88 percent, with an average temperature of around 93 degrees F. Meeting those conditions is the first step to turning your greenhouse into a rainforest, and anyone with solid DIY experience will be able to undertake this task.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Adjust The Speed Of A Lawn Mower

    How to Adjust the Speed of a Lawn Mower. All lawn mowers will come with a type of speed control called a throttle control lever. This lever, which is essentially a plastic slider on the handlebar, will be attached to the engine throttle via a cable hook up. As you move the slider back and forth, the cable mechanically relays these exact same movements to the engine throttle which opens or closes the carburetor, allowing either a little gas into the motor, making it run slower, or a lot of gas which will make it run faster. And this is all done with a throttle control slider.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Replace A Starter On A Sears Lawn Tractor

    How to Replace a Starter on a Sears Lawn Tractor. Although Sears lawn tractors are rugged and well built, when the starter goes bad, it's time to change it. Anyone with some solid do-it-yourself experience can complete this task themselves and save a lot of money, however, make sure your Sears lawn tractor is out of warranty before you attempt this or your actions may void it. You will need the serial number and model number of your tractor to obtain a new starter, but you will be able to exchange your old one for a core fee rebate when you pick up the new one.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Remove A Blade Adapter From A Craftsman Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

    How to Remove a Blade Adapter From a Craftsman Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. The blade adapter on a Sears self-propelled lawn mower makes it very convenient to use any blade for any purpose that you choose. However, when the drive belt breaks, there is no simple way to replace it unless you remove the blade adapter. Unless you can get the mower onto a work bench, this activity will take place with you getting onto the ground, and if you are not up to this task, you may want to take it in for some professional assistance.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Root A Tree From A Branch

    How to Root a Tree From a Branch. Rooting a tree from a branch will only be successful if the branch has been taken at the correct time of the year. This varies from species to species, but in general the best time to prune a tree for rooting is during new growth. This time period generally occurs for most trees between May and July, but trees like Russian olive and Eastern pine are pruned for rooting during the dormant stage, from late fall to early spring.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    What Should I Do If I Accidentally Sprayed RoundUp On My Hydrangea?

    What Should I Do If I Accidentally Sprayed RoundUp on My Hydrangea?. RoundUp is a systemic herbicide made from a glyphosate compound that absorbs quickly into plants through their leaves. It becomes inactive when it is sprayed onto the ground. RoundUp is non-selective and is effective on a broad spectrum of plants, including hydrangeas. It is a water-soluble solution and is delivered by spraying the mixture onto the leaves of the plants to be controlled. It travels through the leaves and into the roots, turning the foliage brown, and controlling the plant in this way. Accidental application of RoundUp can kill hydrangeas, but there are some steps you can take to save your plant.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022

    How To Change The Blades On A Huskee Riding Mower

    How to Change the Blades on a Huskee Riding Mower. Changing blades on a Huskee lawn mower is similar to changing blades on any riding mower that has standard right turn threaded bolts. Virtually any person with solid do-it-yourself experience and the correct wrench can do this task, but it will take getting onto the ground to accomplish. If you have bad knees or any health problems that make it difficult to kneel or lay on the ground, hand this task off to someone else.

    By Dale Yalanovsky September 6th, 2022 Read More