Special Outdoor Projects

Carpenter bees can be destructive insects that tunnel into wood so the queen can lay her eggs. Each year carpenter bees will return to the same holes they were born in to tunnel deeper. As a...

Brick steps leading up to a front door are a popular choice over wood steps because brick stands up to weather for a longer period of time. Most front door steps include railings to support...

Snowboarding is a popular winter sport. Gliding top speed down a quiet, snow covered hill while the adrenaline courses through your body can be almost spiritual. Unfortunately, as with other tools...

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....

If your backyard consists of a flat lawn and a few trees, you might get rather bored out there. To set your yard apart from your neighbors', build a fishpond. It's pleasant to sit beside on a warm...

Drilling into a preformed pond might be done for a variety of reasons such as to make a hole to run wiring or plumbing for various pumps or water features or to drill a hole toward the top of the...

Small ornamental ponds are popular features of gardens for reflection, growing water plants or keeping koi. Whether the pond is a free-form type with liner or a rigid prefabricated form, the edges...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

Installing a light post requires seven days to complete because you have to allow the concrete footer to set before the post can be mounted correctly on top of it. Note that the conduit is...

Flagpoles more than 10 feet high must be installed correctly, or you run the risk of the pole coming down and injuring a person or property. On windy days, poles not buried deep enough or secured...

Making a bird feeder out of a two-liter liquids container is easy and can be accomplished without any special equipment. It's a perfect craft activity for all ages, and the birds in your...

A mailbox footing is as important as the mailbox itself. Failure to install an adequate footing for your mailbox will result in structural failure of the mailbox. If done correctly, your mailbox...

Outdoor building projects often begin by setting posts. As these posts will literally form the backbone of your structure, setting them properly will help ensure your success. Setting large...

Installing a wood pole on grade can be tricky for a few reasons. To get the pole perfectly straight, you can't use a carpenter's square because you are on a grade. Natural wood poles are usually...

Purple Martin houses are apartment style, with several birds nesting in one house. They are recognizable because they stand on high poles in well lit areas. Purple Martins can be very picky about...

Many people have the desire to be more patriotic and wish to put up their own flag right at home. The poles to post these can be bought in various sizes, strengths and qualities. Making a flagpole...

Flagpoles show off patriotism for your country or home state or reveal a love of your favorite sports team. Finding the best location for your flagpole requires planning. The pole should blend...

You just moved into a new house and you need to put up a mailbox. How and where you place the box may not be as simple as randomly picking a likely-looking spot. Before you grab a shovel and start...

Rural communes and apartment dwellings are growing rapidly in the 21st century. As such, mail carriers are thankful when a community comes together to position their mailboxes in a cluster,...

The U.S. Postal Service requires that curbside mailboxes meet certain minimum standards. If you want to install a custom mailbox, you need to contact your local postmaster for approval first. As...

In America, displaying an American flag is one of the most common ways to show your patriotism and commitment to the country. American flags attached to flagpoles, however, have strict regulations...

Outdoor accessories such as garden hose reels and equipment racks make outdoor living more efficient, but if your home's exterior is brick, you likely will need to install some of the attachments...

Pergolas can be a welcome addition to any backyard. They aid in training climbing plants, provide a sense of privacy from neighbors and add height to your yard. Pergolas are most often made of...

Installing a mailbox is a simple home improvement project that can be completed in a single afternoon. But in order to install that mailbox you will need to prepare, and you will need to have the...

Sheds and outbuildings have many different foundation options when placed on level ground. However, the methods for building on uneven ground can become quite involved and expensive. Pier...

Pond liners can be expensive to purchase, especially the prefabricated types. Buying rocks and stones to adorn a pond can also become pricey, especially, when you factor in the cost of plants and...

Commercially manufactured rain barrels are very well made and work well, but for a fraction of the cost, you can make your own. Heavy plastic is preferable to a steel barrel because it is easier...

Preformed ponds allow you to have the benefits of a backyard pond without spending large amounts of money on a professional installation. Unlike pond liners, preformed ponds have a smooth, fluid...

Installing a flagpole in your yard is a splendid way to show your patriotism to your country or the love you have for your home team. After you have purchased your flag, find an appropriate...

Any adequate manmade pond begins with extensive planning. According to Natural Environment Systems, the more you know in advance, the more efficient your pond will be. If you ask any builder or...

Fountains have always been an important part of landscape architecture, from the famous fountains of Rome, the lavish fountains at Versailles, the Emperor Fountain in Chatsworth or even the Jet...

There is nothing more soothing than sitting in your backyard on a warm breezy day and listening to the trickle of water or watching the fish in your own backyard pond. Installing a pond can be a...

If you would like to build your children something they can play on, a swing set may be a great project to tackle. While you could buy a play set for your children, building one will ensure a...

Outhouses were and still are the original composting toilet. The use of an outhouse is primarily in rural areas where water is a precious commodity. Typically these small buildings are orientated...

Years ago my son and I was at Walmart and they had these performed pond kits on clearance and I just had to have one. 10 are more years later I still have the pond. I moved and I brought it with...

A borehole is a hole bored into the ground to collect samples for analysis or to extract oil or water. Boreholes range from extraction of ice cores from glaciers to digging water wells.

Farm ponds are great resources for livestock farmers. They allow cattle and horses to access to water without labor and, if stocked, even provide a source of recreational fishing. They can be fun...

Pole barns are popular across America and around the world because they are simple and easy to build. The budget for pole barn construction will be half of what it would for a more elaborate barn...

If you have a big boulder that you would like to remove. use a micro carbide tipped drill bit from http://drillbitwarehouse.com, it can be found in our masonry drill bit section. Drill a hole as...

Properly installed, a pond can improve the appearance of your home and bring you hours of enjoyment. Improperly installed, it can become a real problem to maintain. With a little knowledge, you...

In addition to an outdoor fountain adding interest to your yard, the sound of bubbling water is known to have a calming effect. Design a fountain out of ceramic pots in a seemingly endless number...

Outhouses or privies are typically found in rural areas or underdeveloped countries. In some ways the outhouse is the first composting toilet. The incorporation of composting practices combined...

A swing set can be a great addition to a backyard that will provide your kids with years of entertainment. Building your own swing set instead of buying a pre-made set can be cheaper and allows...

Rain chains make a bold and decorative statement to the front of your home. Rain-chains originated in Japan with the Japanese using them as alternatives to downspouts. Customize rain chains with a...

A fire pit can turn your yard into a cozy space for an evening cuddle or an outdoor entertainment area in the cooler months. Fire pits are available through home improvement and specialty stores,...

You will learn how to build a hidden water rock fountain.