Ask This Old House Season 23, Episode 22 delivers an unusually satisfying mix of flowers, fasteners, and very heavy stones. The episode travels from Detroit’s pollinator-friendly green spaces to an elevated herb garden, pauses for a practical drill-versus-impact-driver demonstration, and finishes by rebuilding a deteriorating driveway apron with cobblestones.
Originally aired on May 1, 2025, the episode runs for approximately 24 minutes and demonstrates how relatively compact projects can improve a home’s usefulness, appearance, and environmental value. It is essentially three home-improvement lessons packed into one episodewithout making viewers sit through a dramatic argument about countertop samples.
What Happens in S23 E22?
The episode is organized around three independent projects:
- Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada visits Detroit to explore urban pollinator gardens and help plant an elevated edible garden.
- General contractor Tom Silva explains the differences between a power drill and an impact driver.
- Mason Mark McCullough removes a failing brick driveway apron and replaces it with durable cobblestones.
Although these segments seem unrelated at first, they share a useful theme: good results begin beneath the visible surface. Healthy plants depend on suitable soil. Reliable fastening depends on selecting the correct tool and bit. A long-lasting driveway apron depends more on excavation, reinforcement, drainage, and base preparation than on how attractive the stones look on installation day.
Detroit’s Urban Gardens Turn Empty Space Into Habitat
The gardening portion begins in Detroit, where Jenn learns how local organizations are transforming underused urban land into pollinator habitat. Detroit officially joined the Bee City USA initiative in 2024, committing the city to expanding pollinator-friendly landscapes, improving public education, and reducing practices that can harm beneficial insects.
Detroit Hives plays a central role in that effort. Founded in 2016, the nonprofit has developed a regional network of active sites across southeastern and south-central Michigan. Its work includes converting vacant or underused parcels into green spaces, maintaining bee colonies, supporting neighborhood food production, and teaching residents about environmental stewardship.
Why Pollinator Gardens Matter in Cities
A pollinator garden is not simply a flower bed with excellent public relations. It is a small habitat that can provide nectar, pollen, host plants, nesting material, shelter, and water for bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds, and other wildlife.
Urban development often breaks natural habitat into isolated fragments. A network of home gardens, community plots, parks, balconies, and roadside plantings can help reconnect those fragments. Even a modest planting area can function as a refueling stop for insects moving through a neighborhood.
Effective pollinator gardens generally include native plants, flowers with different shapes and colors, and species that bloom at different points from spring through fall. Planting several examples of the same species together makes the flowers easier for pollinators to locate. Leaving hollow stems, patches of exposed soil, fallen leaves, and other natural material can also provide nesting and overwintering sites.
Native Plants Do More Than Look Pretty
Native plants evolved alongside the insects and wildlife of their regions. As a result, they often provide more useful food and habitat than ornamental plants selected primarily for color or unusually large flowers. Native species adapted to local conditions may also require less supplemental water, fertilizer, and pesticide once established.
That does not mean every nonnative flower must be marched out of the yard under armed supervision. It means native plants should form a meaningful part of the garden, particularly when the goal is supporting local ecosystems. Gardeners can combine native perennials with culinary herbs, vegetables, and carefully selected ornamental plants to create a space that is attractive, productive, and ecologically useful.
Building an Elevated Herb Garden
After learning about Detroit’s pollinator efforts, Jenn helps homeowners fill an elevated garden bed with herbs and edible plants. The episode’s planting palette includes several varieties of basil, lavender, lemongrass, an Anaheim pepper, and okra. The result combines fragrance, food production, visual variety, and flowers that can attract beneficial insects.
Why an Elevated Bed Works Well
An elevated garden bed gives the gardener greater control over soil quality and drainage. It can also reduce bending, make harvesting more comfortable, define the planting area, and allow food crops to be grown where the native soil is compacted or unsuitable.
That last benefit is especially important in older urban neighborhoods. A property’s history may include demolished buildings, industrial activity, dumped materials, lead-based paint residue, or other contamination risks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends researching a site’s history and considering environmental soil testing before growing food. Raised beds filled with verified clean soil can help separate edible plants from questionable native ground.
Soil and Drainage Come First
Most culinary herbs prefer soil that drains freely. A raised-bed mix should hold enough moisture for roots without staying saturated after every rainstorm. Compost can improve soil structure, but endlessly adding fertilizer is not necessarily helpful. Some herbs grown in excessively rich soil produce lots of soft foliage with less concentrated aroma and flavor.
Drainage holes are essential in fully contained planters. Waterlogged roots receive less oxygen and are more vulnerable to decline. Gardeners should also resist putting a thick layer of rocks in the bottom and assuming the drainage problem has been solved by geology. A free-draining soil mix and an unobstructed outlet are much more important.
Arrange Plants According to Their Habits
Tall crops should generally be positioned where they will not shade shorter plants. Aggressive spreaders may need their own containers, while drought-tolerant Mediterranean herbs should not be forced to share identical watering conditions with plants that prefer consistently moist soil.
Spacing also matters. A newly planted bed can look suspiciously empty, encouraging the gardener to squeeze in several additional plants. Six weeks later, the basil has become a small shrub, the lemongrass is auditioning for a jungle documentary, and every plant is competing for air. Following mature spacing recommendations produces healthier growth and reduces disease pressure.
Harvesting Keeps Herbs Productive
Regular harvesting encourages many herbs to branch and remain compact. Basil can be pinched just above a pair of leaves so that two new stems develop below the cut. Removing flower buds can extend leaf production, although allowing some herbs to bloom provides food for pollinators.
A practical compromise is to harvest most plants regularly while allowing a few designated stems to flower. The gardener still gets pesto, and the bees get lunch. Everyone leaves the negotiation reasonably happy.
Impact Driver Versus Drill: Which Tool Does What?
Back in the workshop, Tom Silva gives Kevin O’Connor a concise comparison of two tools that are frequently confused. Both can rotate a bit and drive a fastener, but they apply force differently.
| Feature | Drill/Driver | Impact Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Bit connection | Adjustable three-jaw chuck | Quick-release 1/4-inch hex collet |
| Power delivery | Continuous rotational force | Rotation plus rapid twisting impacts |
| Best uses | Drilling holes and controlled fastening | Driving long screws and structural fasteners |
| Control | Often includes an adjustable clutch | More torque but less delicate control |
| Noise | Generally quieter | Noticeably loud under load |
Use a Drill for Holes and Precision
A drill is the more versatile choice for creating holes in wood, metal, and other materials. Its adjustable chuck accepts round-shank drill bits as well as many driving accessories. The clutch on a drill/driver can limit torque, helping prevent screws from being buried too deeply or damaging delicate hardware.
For installing cabinet hinges, assembling furniture, drilling pilot holes, or driving small screws, the drill usually offers better control. It is the tool that asks, “How carefully should we do this?” before acting.
Use an Impact Driver for Demanding Fasteners
An impact driver adds short, powerful rotational blows when resistance increases. This action produces substantial fastening force while reducing some of the twisting reaction transferred to the user’s wrist. It is particularly useful for deck screws, structural screws, lag-type fasteners, and repetitive driving.
Impact drivers require hex-shank accessories, and bits should be rated for impact use. Although an impact driver can drill holes with compatible bits, it does not replace a drill in every situation. The drill remains better suited to standard round-shank bits and tasks requiring precise speed or torque control.
The Practical Answer Is Often Both
During many carpentry projects, a drill and impact driver work as a team. The drill makes the pilot hole while the impact driver installs the screw. Keeping a tool in each hand eliminates constant bit changes and makes the job move faster.
It may feel excessive to own two tools that look like cousins wearing slightly different hats, but the efficiency becomes obvious during a project involving dozens of fasteners.
Replacing a Failing Driveway Apron With Cobblestones
The final segment follows Mark McCullough as he replaces a deteriorating brick driveway apron. The apron is the transitional portion at the entrance of a driveway, typically located where the private drive meets the sidewalk, curb, or street.
This area receives concentrated punishment. Vehicles turn across it, tires brake on it, snowplows pass nearby, runoff travels over it, and freeze-thaw cycles repeatedly test every weak section. When the base shifts or joints fail, bricks can loosen, sink, crack, or become a collection of ankle-height surprises.
Why Cobblestone Is a Strong Choice
Natural stone cobbles, often called Belgian blocks, offer substantial compressive strength and a traditional appearance. Their varied texture creates a visual border between the driveway and street while disguising minor surface wear better than many perfectly uniform materials.
However, stone strength alone does not guarantee a durable apron. A cobblestone placed on unstable soil is still an unstable cobblestonejust a more expensive one.
Step 1: Remove the Existing Apron
The old paving must be demolished and removed without damaging neighboring driveway sections or buried utilities. Depending on the construction, the work may require a sledgehammer, demolition hammer, or jackhammer.
Eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, sturdy footwear, and dust control are essential. Before excavation, homeowners should also locate underground utilities and determine whether local approval is required. Because an apron can extend into a public right-of-way, some municipalities regulate its dimensions, slope, materials, and connection to the street.
Step 2: Establish the Finished Height
String lines and stakes help define the final grade. The apron needs to meet adjacent pavement smoothly without creating a bump, low spot, or drainage trap. The finished surface should direct water appropriately rather than funneling it toward the garage, sidewalk, or neighboring property.
Checking the grade before placing the stones is much easier than discovering a miniature pond after the first thunderstorm.
Step 3: Prepare and Compact the Base
A stable gravel foundation distributes wheel loads and limits settlement. Base depth depends on the soil, climate, stone thickness, drainage, and expected traffic. Manufacturer guidance for driveway-rated pavers commonly specifies several inches of compacted crushed aggregate, installed in controlled lifts rather than as one deep, loosely packed layer.
Each layer must be compacted thoroughly. Edge restraints or a reinforced setting system may also be necessary to prevent the stones from spreading under turning tires. Pavement guidance consistently emphasizes adequate support, drainage, compaction, and restrained transitions as essential to long-term performance.
Step 4: Reinforce and Set the Cobblestones
In the episode, the installation includes a wire reinforcement grid, concrete, mortar, and individual cobbles. The stones are set carefully to maintain the intended pattern and surface elevation. Because natural cobbles vary slightly, each piece may require adjustment.
This stage combines structural work with visual judgment. The stones should appear naturally varied without looking as though they were placed during an earthquake. Mark’s method balances consistent alignment with the character of the material.
Step 5: Fill the Joints and Protect the Work
Mortar is applied between the cobbles to lock the assembly together and limit movement. Excess material must be cleaned from the stone faces before it hardens. The new apron then needs sufficient curing time before vehicle traffic is allowed across it.
Rushing this stage can compromise an otherwise careful installation. A vehicle does not care that the mortar was “almost ready.” It will conduct its own load test, usually at the least convenient moment.
What Makes This Episode So Useful?
S23 E22 succeeds because it moves beyond cosmetic before-and-after shots. Each segment explains a decision homeowners regularly face:
- How can a small urban property support wildlife and food production?
- When should a drill be used instead of an impact driver?
- Why do masonry surfaces fail even when the visible material appears strong?
The answers are refreshingly practical. Improve the growing environment instead of simply buying more plants. Match the tool to the task instead of forcing one tool to do everything. Build the driveway apron from the ground up instead of treating the stones as decorative tiles.
The episode also demonstrates that sustainability and traditional craftsmanship can coexist. A native pollinator planting may support urban biodiversity, while a properly constructed stone apron can remain serviceable for many years. The greenest home improvement is often the one that performs well enough that it does not need to be rebuilt every few seasons.
Experiences and Lessons Inspired by Urban Gardens and Apron Driveways
Experience 1: Starting With a Garden That Looked Too Small
One of the most common experiences in urban gardening is assuming there is not enough space to grow anything meaningful. A narrow side yard, a sunny section of patio, or a few feet beside a garage can seem almost comically limited. Yet an elevated bed placed in the right location can hold several herbs, peppers, pollinator flowers, and perhaps one ambitious tomato plant that ignores every boundary it was given.
The first lesson is to evaluate sunlight before buying plants. It is easy to visit a garden center, become emotionally attached to fourteen varieties of basil, and only later discover that the chosen corner receives two hours of direct light. Observing the site through the day prevents that disappointment. Once the sunniest area is identified, vertical supports, compact varieties, and thoughtful spacing can make a small bed surprisingly productive.
Experience 2: Learning That More Water Is Not More Love
New gardeners often water on a schedule instead of checking the soil. The top surface may look dry while the root zone remains wet, especially in a deep container. Repeated watering can produce yellow leaves, weak growth, fungus gnats, or root problems. The gardener responds by adding fertilizer, because apparently the struggling plant has not suffered enough.
A better habit is to test moisture below the surface and water deeply only when needed. Elevated beds can drain faster during hot weather, so conditions may change quickly. Mulch helps moderate moisture loss, but it should not be piled against plant stems. Over time, the gardener learns that plant care is less like following a rigid calendar and more like paying attention to a quiet roommate who communicates entirely through leaf posture.
Experience 3: Watching Pollinators Discover the Space
A newly planted pollinator garden may initially seem inactive. Then one bee appears, followed by another species, a small butterfly, and several insects the gardener cannot identify without opening six browser tabs. This gradual increase is one of the most rewarding parts of the project.
The experience also changes how a person views garden maintenance. A hollow stem stops looking untidy and starts looking like potential winter shelter. A few fallen leaves become habitat rather than an emergency requiring immediate removal. The goal shifts from creating a perfectly controlled display to maintaining a functional miniature ecosystem.
Experience 4: Using the Wrong Driver for the Right Screw
Many homeowners first appreciate an impact driver after attempting to install a long screw with an ordinary drill. The drill slows, the screw head begins to strip, and the user leans harder as though determination can replace torque. An impact driver often completes the same task with less effort.
The opposite mistake is using the impact driver for delicate assembly. Its force can bury a screw below the surface or damage small hardware before the user realizes what happened. Experience teaches that the loudest, most powerful tool is not automatically the best tool. Pilot holes, clutch settings, correct bits, and controlled speed still matter.
Experience 5: Discovering That Masonry Is Mostly Preparation
A driveway-apron project can be deceptive because laying the stones is the visually satisfying part. Excavating old material, moving gravel, compacting the base, checking elevations, and mixing masonry products are less glamorous. They are also where durability is created.
First-time installers frequently underestimate the weight of the materials and the volume of debris. A small apron can generate a surprisingly large pile of broken brick, concrete, soil, and base material. Cobblestones are not lightweight decorations, either. Planning disposal, delivery access, equipment rental, weather protection, and safe lifting is as important as choosing the stone pattern.
The most valuable experience is recognizing when professional help is justified. A freestanding garden bed may be an approachable weekend project. An apron touching a public sidewalk, curb, drainage route, or utility corridor carries greater consequences. Hiring a qualified mason can be less expensive than repairing settlement, water damage, or a code violation later.
Experience 6: Seeing the Property as a Connected System
The strongest lesson from the episode is that home projects are interconnected. The garden affects insects, water use, food production, and the appearance of the property. Tool selection affects speed, safety, and finish quality. The driveway apron affects drainage, vehicle access, pedestrian comfort, and curb appeal.
Thinking in systems encourages better decisions. Before adding a raised bed, consider the soil, sunlight, irrigation, and mature plant size. Before buying a power tool, consider the materials and fasteners used most often. Before installing stone, consider the subgrade, runoff, traffic loads, and local regulations.
That approach may not produce the fastest project, but it usually produces the project that still looks good after the enthusiasm, fresh mulch, and brand-new work gloves have faded.
Conclusion
Ask This Old House S23 E22 offers three compact lessons with broad value. Detroit’s urban gardens show how native plants and edible crops can turn limited city space into productive habitat. The tool demonstration clarifies why drills and impact drivers should complement rather than replace one another. The driveway-apron project proves that attractive masonry lasts only when it is supported by careful excavation, reinforcement, compaction, grading, and drainage.
Whether the next project involves planting lavender, driving structural screws, or setting a row of cobblestones, the episode’s advice remains consistent: understand the conditions, choose appropriate materials, and do not skip the preparation nobody will see.
Note: This article is an independent editorial overview based on the episode and established U.S. gardening, tool, and pavement guidance. Soil conditions, frost depth, drainage requirements, construction methods, and permit rules vary by location. Food gardens on older urban properties may require environmental soil testing, while driveway-apron work may require municipal approval or professional installation.
