Special Outdoor Projects

Bird watching and feeding has been a long time relaxing and enjoyable hobby for many people. Unfortunately most often, the local squirrels, raccoons and dear keep getting fatter and you keep...

You can make this any size you want. Lumber comes up to 20 feet long. So you could easly make one 10 or 12 feet by 20 feet long. I made a raised bed 5 feet by 12 feet. From there you can make a...

A rain bucket saves you money while conserving water resources. You can purchase many styles of rain buckets online but it can be satisfying to make your own. Better known as rain barrels, rain...

When connecting an irrigation system to a water supply, it is required in most locations that back flow prevention be installed. If the system is installed with a separate pump, back flow...

A pond's alkalinity (pH level) can fluctuate depending on the time of day and various other factors. Measuring the pH level and adjusting it to suit the type of plant life and/or aquatic life...

Blocking a stack of fire wood can be the cause of some frustration. Oftentimes, the end pieces fall out, causing half the stack to go with it. Stacking firewood outdoors or under a porch can be...

Every healthy and attractive backyard pond or water garden needs a pump to circulate water through a filtration system. Different types of pond pumps require different fittings, but all have the...

A brick barbecue can be simple to build and is a useful addition to any backyard. It can offer a convenient way to entertain guests with delicious food cooked over an open fire as well as years of...

Not many things in life are free these days, but it is possible to build a roosting birdhouse for free using salvaged materials from around the house, garage, and from local torn down barns. The...

Most home irrigation installers will bury the control valves in the ground inside of a box for ease of access. Sometimes a valve is forgotten, or the installer just plainly forgets to use the...

Muddy water in a farm pond is a problem for many people who own them. Water that is muddy isn't aesthetically pleasing and can hurt wildlife in the pond. When the water is muddy, particles of silt...

Gazebos add a stylish landscape element to backyards or public areas. Traditional gazebos have a romantic air but are functional as well. They provide built-in seating options and protect the...

It is relatively simple to design a custom mailbox. A custom mailbox allows you to use your creative flair and to express yourself. It can also increase the aesthetics of your home by blending...

Mockingbirds seem to be either loved or hated: loved for their beautiful music or hated because they are extremely territorial. Their aggressive nature means mockingbirds can ruin any plans you...

Since most irrigation systems are set up to run when the sun is down, to save water and be more effective, it is necessary to manually turn on the system during the day to make sure everything is...

There's no reason why a backyard pond can't be updated as often as you update your flower or vegetable gardens. Today's pond-friendly fish, garden accessories and easy-care pond plants give you...

If you have spent a lot of money installing a beautiful ceramic water fountain in your garden, it's natural that you would want to protect your investment. The freeze-thaw cycle of winter can do...

Composting is an essential part of the cyclical nature of gardening. Turning your organic remains into a nutrient rich substance for putting back into the earth benefits the plants and helps...

Gardeners looking for a lower-maintenance alternative to regular applications of fertilizer to plant beds might enjoy making a fertilizer siphon. This apparatus employs the basic physics of...

If you've noticed that all the birds that were once flocking around your birdfeeder have suddenly disappeared, it's probably not because they've been disappointed with what you've been feeding...

The United States Post Office delivered over 203 billion pieces of mail in 2008. With over 32,741 Post Offices nationwide and 1.2 billion miles driven by letter carriers and professional truck...

One of the least expensive ways to supply water to an irrigation system is to pump water from a source of standing water such as a pond, lake or canal. When any of these applications is used, a...

The addition of a sprinkler system makes it much easier to ensure proper watering cycles for any lawn and garden. Some systems take water from the house, some from separate wells and other from...

Cast iron tubs can make an elegant statement in a home for decades, but when the time comes to replace old with new, there's no need to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. Relegating...

Rubber mulch is a popular alternative to organic mulches, particularly for use on playgrounds. The elasticity and permanence of rubber makes it safer and more durable than gravel or wood chip...

Building a frame for a wooden shed floor can be accomplished by using 2-inch-by-4-inch boards. The process is really quite simple once you understand how to connect them all together. Think of...

Are you faced weekly with the task of concealing several bags of trash? A simple solution is to build an outdoor trash container. Store those bags of trash from view and protect from...

Swallows migrate back to the same nesting spot every year and their return is always a harbinger of spring. However, if you've been suffering with the mud from the swallow's nests and their bird...

Firewood burned in a wood stove needs to be air dried for six to eight months after it is cut from a growing tree. Thinning thick dense wooded areas increases the health and vitality of that stand...

While tadpoles may be cute at the time, they eventually turn into frogs and multiply. If the idea of having your yard and pond overcome with frogs is not your idea of the creatures you are hoping...

When cutting or "bucking" logs into shorter lengths, the cutting is done on the ground. Taking the bucked lengths and cutting them into stove size pieces is much easier if done on a sawbuck. ...

Mailbox gardens have become a popular way to add curb appeal to a home. Use the bare piece of ground at the base of a mailbox for a mix of evergreen flowering perennials like pinks and lavender....

Over time, the numbers on your mailbox can become cracked and begin to peel. Occasionally the post office changes rules concerning the size, color, and placement of mailbox numbers. Regardless of...

Cement forms or concrete forms are used to mold concrete into various shapes from large septic tanks to small planters you can make at home. Cement is actually one of the ingredients used to...

The pH level in pond water fluctuates due to the activities of the aquatic plants and pond algae. It is important to maintain the appropriate pH levels in the pond for the survival of the plants...

Drain a pond at least once a year to remove old water and clean debris, such as leaves and plant waste, from the bottom of the pond. With an additional sump pump hose, the sump pump that...

This guide will provide you with the knowledge to build a beautiful outdoor water feature designed to your specific space and needs. If you can use a shovel, you can create a unique addition to...

A glistening pond full of beautiful plants and healthy fish is a remarkable sight. The pea green water filled with slimy algae and gasping washed out fish so common in people's landscapes is not...

A greenhouse is a great source of protection for plants and gardens exposed to extreme cold or extreme heat. A prefabricated greenhouse can be costly and may require the uprooting or relocating of...

Gutter downspouts collect rainwater that falls on the roof of a house and directs it away from the home. Unfortunately, downspouts sometimes simply direct the water to the foundation of the home,...

If your outdoor grill area is lacking, a redesign of the area is in order. Whether you envision a small area just for the grill or a massive outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue, planning the...

Fiberglass is commonly painted using gel coat, which consists of fiberglass resin that is pigmented with color. Gel coat is a very strong and durable paint that acts as a protective layer over the...

A pond can be a lovely addition to your property. It could bring a natural, peaceful setting to your garden as well as wildlife for your viewing pleasure. The options for designing a pond are...

Once you have installed a water garden and pond waterfall, you need to finish the landscaping design by hiding all hardware and liners. You can hide a pond waterfall unit in a variety of ways to...

As winter deepens and temperatures drop below freezing, irrigation systems can be damaged. Here are some tips on how to winterize a sprinkler system and save on expensive repairs.

Ever want a bonfire pit in the privacy of your own home? I will teach you how to make a bonfire pit out of an old washing machine tub. I have one in my front yard. It’s been there for years. Every...

It can be very rewarding for the backyard bird watcher when a pair of bluebirds decide to take up residence in a bluebird house put up in the yard to attract them, but this experience can quickly...

Setting up a pond waterfall pump system must be done carefully to ensure maximum water flow. Not only will this improve the appearance of the water garden and the quality of the water, but it may...

Selecting the perfect bird bath for your yard is simple. The challenge is placing and landscaping the new feature. The surrounding landscape features hold the potential of enhancing the bird bath...

Before you pour the concrete for your garage slab, you need to check and make sure that the forms are "in square." Being in square means that all the corners in the pour are at 90-degree angles....