Special Outdoor Projects

Both old and new constructions install French drains to help prevent water from leaking into the crawlspace under a home. French drains are simply long plastic tubing with holes poked throughout...

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...

There are many things to consider before building a chicken house. The health, safety and productivity of your flock will be determined by their new home. They'll eat here, sleep here, lay eggs...

During bitter cold winter days and nights and especially during blizzards, winter birds need a helping hand. Putting out birdseed is always a good thing to do, but offering them shelter is often...

Throughout the eastern side of North America, barred owls are common. They make their homes in crevices and old nests that have been abandoned by other birds. They will also make their homes in...

The tufted titmouse lives year-round in forests and backyards of the eastern United States. Tufted titmice are characterized by their large black eyes that dominate their small faces, the puffy...

Having the right tool for the job is half the battle. Finding good, convenient storage to make the tool easily available for use is the other half. Garden and yard tools are seasonal and have a...

Installing a mailbox post for the curbside delivery of mail is regulated by the United States Postal Service. Consult the local postmaster for any special rules regarding specific heights or back...

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...

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,...

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...

Installing a birdhouse in a yard can offer a season of baby birds for the bird watcher hobbyist. Finches are great-looking birds that many people enjoy. They will normally nest in trees, but will...

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...

If you are adding a porch to the front of your house, you will need stairs that run from the ground up to it. Wood is a nice, rustic material for building stairs. Wooden stairs are durable and...

Concrete landscaping blocks can help you shape the backyard of your dreams. Better yet, because they are easy to make, you can shape them in any way you desire so you don't have to compromise any...

You can make your own worm bin from wood, using one of the many plans available in worm care books and online. This particular plan offers a simple, flatter profile than many others and can be...

If you are an avid gardener or just beginning the hobby, a great way to add your own style to your garden is to create a garden planter. A sturdy and moderately easy planter can be made from...

Like a lot of us, you have always wanted an impressive masonry mailbox, but for years, you have been stuck with that boring "breadbox on a post" because you assumed the mailbox of your dreams...

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...

Who says size matters? Our U.S. Postal Service does, for one. If you are thinking about building your own mailbox or considering a purchase of something more eye catching than the basic...

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...

Fire is a comfort to most people. Regardless of season, a fire can be a gathering place for everyone to enjoy. If the wood being burned smokes like dry ice because it's been stored improperly,...

If you love honey, there's a chance you'll want to harvest your own. This means building and maintaining a beehive. Carpenter bees are known for their habit of excavating and "building" their...

Woodpeckers live throughout the world, with 216 different breeds populating different areas. They can grow up to 17 inches tall, with black, red, white and even yellow stripes and crest. These...

Pileated woodpeckers live throughout the northwestern and southern states of the U.S.. They are approximately 17 inches tall, with black and red stripes and crest. These birds feed on the insects...

Some say that a bluebird house must be built in a very specific style, but in reality, a bluebird house can be either round or rectangular. In the wild, bluebirds live in holes in trees. These...

For postal customers in rural areas, mailboxes act as the service window for the local post office. Most rural carriers not only deliver mail and packages, but also sell stamps and parcel...

Birds usually build their nests in the trunks of dead trees, in the nooks of tree branches, or in hidden spots like the eaves of a house. They do this for security, and from years of habit. So it...

Decorative wood shutters are a great way to dress up a plain-looking house. There are numerous styles available that you can buy ready-made and simply hang up next to your windows, or you can make...

Raised beds can play an important role in solving problems related to space and soil conditions for both flower and vegetable gardening. The simple construction of small, self-contained, raised...

Adding a garden pond to your current landscape will instantly perk up the space. Although plastic liners can be purchased to make a garden pond, these will eventually wear out and need to be...

When you make a mailbox, it should be large enough to accommodate the parcels you typically receive. If you receive just a few letters daily, a standard-size mailbox will do. The minimum...

You can easily make a bench for your yard or garden with treated wood boards and a few metal brackets. Have the wood for your bench cut to size at the lumber supply store, and this simple...

Pole building is one of the most basic construction techniques available. Instead of an elaborate frame, the building is supported by poles and a minimum of cross bracing. The average...

Gathering around a crackling outdoor fire, telling stories and roasting marshmallows is a great outdoor activity for a cool evening. A fire pit, either elaborate or basic, makes backyard fires...

If you are planning on building your own pole barn, you should know about the tools, materials and techniques available before you begin your project. Pole barns are cheap and easy to build, and...

Everyone is spending more time outdoors. The patio and backyard are becoming more of an extension of the home than ever before. While using this area for everything from cookouts to volleyball...

Wind chimes have existed since 1100 B.C., when the Chinese developed feng-ling chimes for religious ceremonies. Buddhist monks still hang wind chimes on their temples, and bamboo chimes hang in...

Making a built-in grill using bricks is a great way to have a permanent outdoor grill for all your backyard activities. They do not rust and are easy to clean if you build one with removable...

Garden arbors can add a sense of whimsy and romance to a garden or yard. It can be used as a free-standing structure or as a compliment to a gate. Pre-made arbors from a home improvement store or...

A carefully constructed birdhouse is a joy for both the occupant and the builder. Once your bird family has moved in, you can enjoy watching their habits, observing their physical traits and...

Pallets have many uses and some are just not thought about much. You can even use pallets for home projects. The standard size for a pallet is 40 inches wide by 48 inches long. This ideal length...

Wood pallets can be used in manufacturing warehouses or for everyday use around the home. Using pallets in leaky basements will protect items from water damage. Knowing how to build wood pallets...

Yorkstone is a type of sandstone quarried in Yorkshire, England. This sedimentary rock is famous for, among other things, having been used at one time to pave the streets of London. Yorkstone is a...

This is a beautiful wishing well. A great asset to any garden. A great weekend project. My husband says it is moderate, I say difficult (only because I know nothing about working with wood).

Have you always wanted a small grape arbor or an arbor for your vining vegetables? Here's an easy to build arbor that will take 30 minutes or less to build.

A window box is a great way to dress up a plain window, by holding pots of flowers or herbs, or by filling with potting soil and planting directly. There is an infinite number of designs. Using...

Cardinals are small red birds related to finches and are commonly found in the eastern United States. Cardinals prefer an open-air plan to their housing, rather than being tucked inside a...

If your old mailbox post has seen better days or you just want to add a little flair to your mailbox, relax. You can build a rustic mailbox post with relative ease. You will want it to be sturdy,...

Children love to have a special hideaway. You don't need an elaborate treehouse for your kids to have a private area where they can escape. A backyard playhouse is just as effective at giving them...