Don Kress

Garden Guides Editorial Policies

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 Don Kress

  • Structures
    Structures By Don Kress November 4th, 2022

    Types Of Mortar For Cement Board

    Types of Mortar for Cement Board. When applying a stone veneer to a concrete board, you use mortar to ensure that the veneer sticks to the board. While the specific brand of mortar you use is not very important, what is important is that you use mortar of the correct consistency, that of peanut butter, and the correct type of mortar for your application. Avoid using stucco mix or other cement products not specifically formulated for applying veneer to concrete.

    By Don Kress November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Don Kress November 4th, 2022

    How To Mortar Stone Steps

    How to Mortar Stone Steps. Stone steps are an attractive landscape feature that are actually relatively easy to install. Once you have the substrate laid and the stone in place, mortaring smaller stones so they stay where you put them isn't much different from decorating a Christmas cookie. The trick is that your primary stones for the steps need to be large and heavy so they are resistant to shifting and provide a strong central point for the smaller stones in the step to cling to. Additionally, it is helpful to have stones that are of equal height. This allows you to lay a substrate and only tap the stones in place.

    By Don Kress November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Don Kress November 4th, 2022

    How To Make Homemade Mortar

    How to Make Homemade Mortar. Mortar is inexpensive and readily available at any major home improvement store. Making your own mortar allows you to fine-tune the mixture in response to any of a number of factors that you might run into during construction. You can mix quick-set mortar, slow-set mortar or even mortar that can be squeezed through a mortar joint applicator. The only thing you need to know is the correct percentage of ingredients to use in making basic mortar, and then find the best mixture for your purposes by either adding or subtracting ingredients.

    By Don Kress November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Don Kress November 4th, 2022

    How To Use Large Metal Buckets With Cement To Anchor Poles For Sun Sails

    How to Use Large Metal Buckets With Cement to Anchor Poles for Sun Sails. Sun sails extend the time you can spend outside, protecting you from ultraviolet rays as well as minor bouts of rainy weather. To use a sun sail, you have to properly anchor it in place. Solid mounting with a series of stakes is fine if you don't intend to move the sail around, but if you occasionally want to put the sun sail elsewhere, you'll have to provide it with strong anchor points that you can move around.

    By Don Kress November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Don Kress November 4th, 2022

    How To Fix A Welder That Doesn't Feed Wire

    How to Fix a Welder That Doesn't Feed Wire. Welders that won't feed welding wire typically have one of two things causing the problem. Either the welding tip has built up with slag, or the wire feed tension spring is loose. Damaged internal motors should not be repaired at home. It is best to have internal electrical problems fixed by a qualified welder repair technician.

    By Don Kress November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Structures
    Structures By Don Kress November 4th, 2022

    How To Install USG Fiberock

    How to Install USG Fiberock. USG Fiberock is a fiber-reinforced gypsum backer board with a flat, level surface and used for the installation of tiling. It is extremely strong and resilient, good for moist conditions where typical drywall would be a poor choice. In addition, USG Fiberock is lighter and easier to cut than traditional fiber-reinforced concrete boards.

    By Don Kress November 4th, 2022 Read More