Yard Coach | DIY Landscaping Mastery & Professional Advice

Episode: Landscape Designing for Continuous Color All Season Long VIDEO VERSION HERE: https://youtu.be/IsceTOOf5eI Yard Coach COLOR CONTINUUM GUIDE: https://www.youryardcoach.com/continuous-color-guide   Does your yard look amazing for a few weeks… and then fade into a whole lot of green? In this episode, Coach explains how to think like a landscape designer and build a true color continuum — a la...

Online Plant Purchases – Is This the New Wave on How to Landscape?  VIDEO VERSION HERE: https://youtu.be/4FLyvTlSeCQhttps://youtu.be/4FLyvTlSeCQ For more than 45 years, Coach Matt has relied on a simple rule when buying plants: see them, touch them, inspect them, and bring them home yourself. This year, that changed. In this episode, Coach shares his first-ever experience ordering fruit trees, str...

In this episode of the Yard Coach Podcast, Coach Matt dives into one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make in DIY landscaping: choosing form over function. VIDEO VERSION on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7sRVcOcivpM   Why do so many beautiful landscapes fail after only a few years? Why do flooded yards, cracked patios, dead plants, drainage issues, and maintenance nightmares happen so often — even in...

If your irrigation system won’t turn on, won’t shut off, sprays weak, floods spots, or just plain underperforms, this episode is for you. VIDEO VERSION HERE: https://youtu.be/Y8IU-D9RmJM   In this Yard Coach Podcast episode, Coach Matt breaks down the big 5 irrigation problems he’s seen after working on hundreds of manual and automatic sprinkler systems over the years. From electrical issues at th...

The simple troubleshooting steps that fix most lighting problems fast Your landscape lights stopped working… now what? Before you start digging up your yard or calling a contractor, there’s a simple troubleshooting path that solves most lighting problems fast—and it’s probably not what you think. In this episode, Coach Matt walks you through the real-world process used to diagnose low voltage land...

You planned it. You prepped it. Now it’s time to build it—and this is where most DIY projects go wrong. In Part 2, we walk through the critical build phase of the 15-step landscaping process—where trenching, underground installs, grading, and timing either lock in a successful project… or create problems you’ll be fixing later. This episode covers: How to properly mark and trench for underground s...

Most DIY landscaping projects don’t fail because of effort… They fail before the first shovel hits the ground. In Part 1 of this series, we break down the foundation of every successful landscape project—and where most homeowners quietly sabotage themselves. This episode walks through the first critical stages of the proven 15-step process, including: Knowing your real limits (before the project h...

Late winter can be one of the most frustrating times of the year for homeowners who love landscaping. The snow is still piled high, the ground is frozen solid, and yet spring is just close enough to tease you. In this episode, Coach Matt talks about the late-winter landscaping doldrums many homeowners experience—especially in colder USDA zones like 3, 4, and 5. When you’re itching to get outside a...

AI can design a beautiful backyard in seconds… but can it keep your basement dry?   In this episode, we break down what AI can do for landscape planning — and where it completely falls apart when it comes to drainage.   Water doesn’t care about renderings. Water doesn’t care about design. Water only cares about gravity.   From real-world slope corrections and roof runoff math to French drains, soi...

We’re wrapping up the three-part Landscape Frustrations series — and this one hits the everyday issues homeowners quietly struggle with.  VIDEO VERSION HERE: Top 5 Landscape Frustrations | Part 3 of 3 | Pruning, Equipment +  BONUS https://youtu.be/7w-xns4kEjk     In this episode, Coach Matt tackles:   ✔️ Pruning confusion – When to prune, how much to prune, and why timing matters more than you thi...

In Part 2 of the Homeowner Landscape Frustration Series, Coach dives into the big one — full landscape makeovers.  Video version here: Landscape Makeover Frustration | Part 2 of 3 Homeowner Landscape Frustrations - https://youtu.be/B3L3xnf-30I   The kind where someone stands in the backyard, cracks open a cold one, and declares, “This weekend… we start over.”   Ambition? Great. Impulse without a p...

Welcome to Part 1 of a 3-part series on the Top 5 Landscape Frustrations Homeowners Suffer. VIDEO VERSION HERE: https://youtu.be/pFVNrMtBUa4     This week, Coach Matt tackles the biggest frustration he sees again and again: lawn and turf problems. If you’ve ever wondered why your grass looks rough no matter what you do, this episode lays the groundwork—without the guesswork.   In this episode, we...

Winter has shut down the landscape, but the thinking doesn’t stop. In this episode, Coach Matt covers a mix of winter reality, honest thoughts on viral “yard rescue” videos, smart winter planning for spring projects, and why a living Christmas tree just makes more sense. If you’re snowed in, itching to work outdoors, or planning ahead for your property, this one’s for you.   🎥 Related YouTube Sho...

Get the Homebuyer’s Landscape Checklist + Audio Walkthrough here: https://www.youryardcoach.com/homebuyers-landscape-checklist/buy Buying your first home is exciting… and a little blinding. Realtors point to the shiny kitchen and fresh paint — but the big money problems are often hiding outside the four walls. In this episode, Coach Matt shares what first-time (and even 10th-time) buyers need to l...

Video Version Here: https://youtu.be/oc9PVXy5gBQ     As we age, our yards should serve us—not the other way around. Coach Matt breaks down three senior-friendly paths: expanding for joy and purpose, simplifying for low-maintenance living (and travel), and adapting for comfort, safety, and mobility (wider walks, ramps, raised beds, drip).   Real stories, practical upgrades, and tough-love advice on...

In this episode, Coach Matt takes a reflective look at the 2025 landscape season — what went right, what got delayed, and how life’s curveballs (like equipment breakdowns and tight weather windows) reshaped the year’s plans. From building bridges and garden boxes to battling cattails and gravel drives, he shares the lessons learned and how reflection fuels next year’s goals.   This episode isn’t j...

Let’s Focus on Fall – Keep Your Eye on the Ball The seasons are fighting for control — one day frost, the next day 80° — and your landscape is stuck in the middle. In this episode, Coach Matt talks about how to stay grounded and keep your focus through the seasonal chaos. You’ll learn:  • How to protect your plants from wild temperature swings  • Why turf care still matters this time of year  • Ho...

This week, I’m not teaching — I’m telling the story behind how I built a 20-foot bridge and a deck here at Brook & Pond. No blueprint. No step-by-step plan. Just real-life landscaping and problem solving. 🎥 Watch the full video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jfdeWhtClmY   #yardcoach #landscapingstory #bridgebuild #deckproject #lowespartner #affiliatelink

Outdoor Living isn’t just about patios and kitchens—it’s about creating an atmosphere you’ll never want to leave. In this week’s episode of the Yard Coach Podcast, Coach Matt dives into Part 2 of the Outdoor Living Series: 💧 Water features that transform your yard into a peaceful retreat 🔥 Fire pits that bring people together and spark unforgettable moments 💡 Lighting that adds safety, beauty,...

Welcome to Part 1 of our Outdoor Living Series!   This week, Coach Matt dives into outdoor kitchens and structures that transform a yard from “just a landscape” into a true extension of your home. From gas, water, and drainage infrastructure to pergolas, she-sheds, and patio enclosures—discover how to take your DIY landscape to the next level.   These aren’t just add-ons; they’re lifestyle upgrade...

Do you need years of experience to design your dream yard? In this episode, Coach Matt busts that myth and shows you how to create a beautiful landscape with passion, perseverance, and a few simple tools. Learn the three essentials to know before you start (your climate zone, budget, and skill level), how to sketch your space accurately, why visiting local nurseries can spark ideas, and how to pla...

Sod or seed? I break down the pros, cons, costs, and care tips for both so you can choose the best lawn solution for your yard — and avoid costly mistakes. Learn more at www.youryardcoach.com and explore Homescape 2.0. VIDEO VERSION ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/hJ7mTtE3KMg   #LawnCareTips #SodVsSeed #LandscapingAdvice #TurfRenovation #DIYLandscaping #LawnInstallation #GrassSeed #SodInstallation #Y...

VIDEO VERSION & HUGE Thank you to our Sponsor for this Week: Gotron Garden Hose 100ft - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8PY45S3?th=1   Are you overwatering, underwatering, or just unsure? In this episode, Coach Matt dives into smart watering habits that save water, boost plant health, and keep your landscape thriving year-round. Learn the signs your plants are giving you, tips for efficient irrig...

VIDEO VERSION HERE: https://youtu.be/DDcR_uLgoh4 🌿 Your Landscape’s Secret Weapons! 💡💦 Irrigation, drainage, fertilization, lighting—and YOU! These are the unsung heroes that take your yard from meh to WOW! 🌟 Unlock Your DIY Landscape Potential - Visit the Yard Coach Website for DIYers ➡️ https://www.youryardcoach.com Seasonal Landscaping Checklist - PRINTABLE for easy use 15-Step DIY Landscap...

Unlock Your DIY Landscape Potential - Visit the Yard Coach Website for DIYers ➡️ https://www.youryardcoach.com Seasonal Landscaping Checklist - PRINTABLE for easy use 15-Step DIY Landscaping Project Checklist (Guide + Bonus Podcast) LANDSCAPING SIMPLIFIED - eBook: An Introductory Guide to DIY Landscaping for Today's Modern Homeowner HOMESCAPE 1.0 is The Complete A-Z Online Course| Plan, Start and...