Special Outdoor Projects

Whether you're watering a garden or washing a car, using a rain barrel will save money on your water bill and help the environment at the same time. This fairly simple conversion has the added...

Aquatic weed control methods vary widely depending on the type of plant causing the problem, and whether the aquatic environment is a farm pond, commercial fish breeding facility, water garden, or...

If you haven't been to a multimillion-dollar mansion that has an infinity pool and thousands of dollars worth of built-in backyard barbecue equipment in person, you likely have seen such yards...

Rigging a flagpole and setting it up in your yard requires planning and a little work. Before you start putting your flagpole together, decide on a location where your flag will be best viewed and...

Whether you're doing a total remodel, want to expand your garden or just looking to have some clear space, that old concrete porch just might need to go. And if you thought the job was only for...

Most greenhouses are warmed with a combination of different heating methods. Passive solar heating is obviously the most important method, but greenhouse enthusiasts also use positioning, heat...

Installing a backyard waterfall pond from a boxed kit is easy--but the results may not always be the restful, or dramatic or elegant landscape feature you had hoped for. Experienced waterscape...

A box blade is a tractor attachment that can perform tasks for home use, agricultural use and for building and development of roads. Its primary purpose is to move and level dirt and/or gravel and...

A sloping landscape is a natural boon for pond waterfall construction, allowing for a more natural-looking waterscape and adding several design options. Challenges in waterfall pond construction...

Having a backyard pond can be relaxing and enjoyable from April to October; maybe longer if your climate has mild winters. You can have an active pond filled with Koi and frogs, or you can have a...

Some gardeners may want a greenhouse as a practical working space. Others may wish to display their collections in a unique setting with waterfalls or other specialized features. Before you make...

Maintain the clean and clear appearance of your pond with the aid of a good UV light or UV clarifier. UV lights target the most unsightly enemy of a clear pond---algae---which grows rapidly on...

Public ramps built to assist people in wheelchairs or with other mobility difficulties must meet the accessibility guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Though not...

A red brick barbecue grill is the perfect addition to any barbecue lover's back yard. It can be built to accommodate large amounts of food, which is great when you have a crowd over for a...

The tradition of providing housing for purple martins (Progne subis) originated with Native Americans, who used gourds as nesting boxes to attract them. Purple martins have become almost totally...

A homemade habitat offers a unique opportunity to support and observe wildlife in your own back yard. For many years, the National Wildlife Federation has been encouraging people all over the...

Whether installed for beauty or enhanced security, outdoor lighting can improve the appearance of your property or make it safer and more secure. There are several types of outdoor lighting...

Many store bought swingsets include anchors to hold the swingset firmly onto the ground and prevent it from tipping over while children play. These anchors will sometimes come loose when children...

You can build your own column mail box, but the task can be challenging. According to Pyzique Wall Systems, Inc., a column mail box is sturdier than any other type of mailbox because it's made...

Wooden swing sets are exposed to rain and other inclement weather as well as the sun which can cause UV damage over time. Any wood structure left outdoors needs to be properly stained to protect...

Many dog owners are reluctant to allow their dog to stay inside when they are away because some breeds of dogs can become destructive when left unsupervised. Allowing dogs to run free outside is...

The shop can be one of the most productive places for a person with the tools, equipment and skills to build and repair things. But if you can't get your hands on the right wrench, your...

Composting is a very important to the gardening process. Not only does composting promote ecological sustainability and reduce organic weight, but it also produces great fertilizer. By shredding...

A French drain is a trench that can be lined with landscaping fabric or one that has a pipe laid inside it to drain water away from problem areas. The simplest drains are lined with rock or...

Roosting birds can become a problem, especially, when the roosting population increases and damage begins to occur to your home or property. There are ways to get rid of roosting birds without...

Mounting a mailbox to a cedar post in front of your home can serve several purposes. Cedar is strong and attractive; it will provide durability you might not get from a metal or plastic kit and...

Swing sets are a great recreation accessory for backyards or playgrounds. They help children build coordination, stamina, and physical strength. Many swing sets designed to be set up by...

Block house construction is common for garages, sheds and other outbuildings. Very often ventilation and lighting is a secondary concern for these buildings, and many have dirt floors. The dark...

A greenhouse can be your second garden, where you can keep your plants in a secure place. One advantage of a greenhouse is that it protects plants from frost, excessive rain, heavy wind, mildew,...

A pergola is a small, open-air structure, sometimes covered with vines. Adding a pergola to your garden will accent your plants and provide a relaxing shaded area. You can construct a DIY garden...

Solar ovens have been typically made using crafty methods, with materials ranging from pizza boxes and tin foil to tanning reflectors that sit on the ground. These can be effective for cooking,...

Not only are landscape pavers a functional addition to your yard, they can add a beautiful decorative element. You can use landscape pavers to make a patio for additional outdoor living space or a...

Curb appeal is something that many homeowners talk about having a strong desire for. Some custom-made window planter boxes with an array of flowers can give your home a stunning look and help set...

Using fire was the first way that our ancestors began to cook food, and even today barbecue is a very popular style of cooking. Building an outdoor barbecue can add a whole new dimension to your...

Above-ground oil tanks come in many sizes and may hold several hundred gallons of oil. In the United States, those who live in the North store home heating oil in these tanks, and farmers use them...

A skid loader can make a demanding outdoor project much easier. You can fit these helpful machines with a variety of tools to help demolish, excavate and move debris. Many large equipment rental...

Cedar sheds can be used for a variety of purposes, such as storage, shelter or as a garden shed. They are normally framed from treated or yellow pine lumber and covered, inside and outside, with...

Bees do not build underground nests. Any encounter with a buzzing, stinging insect in the ground is most likely an encounter with a yellow jacket. Yellow jackets are wasps that are extremely...

Bird shelter yard art is a great choice for accenting any outdoor living space. Bird houses can be made as ornate or as simple as you want, and can be placed in a wide variety of locations. Also,...

The subterranean termite is the most common variety of termite in the U.S. and the most dreaded. These termites live within the soil, often beneath a home's foundation, and slowly eat away at the...

Concrete tilt up construction is fast becoming the method of choice for commercial builders. Tilt up construction is a method of forming, and pouring walls in sections while they are flat on the...

You have many outdoor landscaping projects on your plate. From patching your concrete driveway to finishing the rock garden, the outdoor projects keep coming. One project that you want to complete...

Hummingbirds are experts at retrieving nectar from flowers. These amazing creatures are drawn to sweet smelling, sugary nectars and fragrances and can usually be found fluttering around spoutlike...

Buying commercially cured meats can be a very expensive proposition these days. One alternative is building your own smoke house to dry and cure your own meats. An added advantage is that you can...

Low-voltage outdoor lighting usually only uses 12 volts, which is much less than household lights. This makes them more energy-efficient and safe. Buy low-voltage lighting kits equipped with...

Birds add color and motion to the garden. They also feed on many insect pests. The Purple Martin is a popular bird to coax into your garden, but there are other birds that you might also want to...

Ever wonder how they build those fake rock formations in zoos and theme parks? Would you like to build a waterfall or rock wall in your backyard? It's time consuming and takes some practice, but...

Cement is just one component that is used to make concrete and mortar. It is used to make buildings, driveways, garage floors, sidewalks and more. The effort needed to remove dried paint from...

If you have an old greenhouse that is no longer functional, you can either tear it down and replace it or you can choose to restore it. When you make the choice to restore your old greenhouse, you...

A shovel is one of the most popular garden tools for displacing dirt. There are 2 types of shovels: a long handle and a short handle. Because shovels spend most of their time in dirt and mud, they...