When yard work (or play) leaves you with tired, achy, or strained muscles, it’s a good idea to have instant relief at hand. And you can, with the help of a heavy-duty plastic freezer bag. How you use this dandy device depends upon whether your problem calls for a cold or hot treatment. Here are your choices:

Cold treatment. Before trouble strikes, make a reusable ice pack. Just mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 2 parts water, then pour the solution into the bag (but don’t fill it; leave room for expansion). Squeeze out all of the air, seal the bag, and put it in the freezer. Because alcohol doesn’t freeze, the contents will be slushy rather than rock hard – and all the more comfortable to conform to your achin’ body.

Heat treatment. Put a wet washcloth in the bag, and microwave it on high for 30 seconds. Reheat it as often as you need to. It’s more portable than a heating pad and a whole lot easier than fussing with a hot-water bottle.

Dishwashing Soap 101

I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: Whenever you’re shopping for dishwashing liquid to use in your yard or garden, make sure you choose a brand that’s made with pure, mild soap. Avoid any product that contains detergents or degreasing agents. They can harm your grass (or any other plants that they touch). And whatever you do, avoid all products that boast their antibacterial prowess. Not only will they damage your greenery, but they’ll also kill off good bacteria along with the bad – and that can cause big trouble.

There is one exception to this rule, and that is when the soapy solution will not come in contact with valuable plants. If you’re aiming to destroy weeds, clean inanimate objects, or kill pests that you’ve removed from your plants, feel free to use any kind of soap or detergent you have on hand – and make the “medicine” as strong as you like.

Aeration is a classic technique for loosening up compacted soil, as well as solving minor thatch problems. But even healthy lawns can benefit from a regular airing-out. The process simply involves poking holes in the soil, so that air can reach the grass roots – followed quickly by food and water. You should perform this task on a regular basis, following this simple two-part strategy:

1.Every few weeks, strap on a pair of aerating lawn sandals, and stroll back and forth across your lawn. Or, simpler yet, wear traditional, spiked golf shoes whenever you mow the lawn or do other yard chores. Besides improving the health of your lawn, the spikes will give you more secure footing on the grass.

2.Once a month throughout the growing season, combine 1 cup of beer and 1 cup of dishwashing liquid in your 20 gallon hose-end sprayer, and fill the balance of the sprayer jar with warm water. Then spray your lawn to the point of runoff to help keep the soil nice and loose and fluffy. Note: Anytime a recipe calls for dishwashing liquid, do not use detergent or any product that contains antibacterial agents.