Special Outdoor Projects

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...

Arbors make nice additions to a backyard garden. Vines can be trained to grow up and over them, creating a spot of shade over a bench or swing chair. Arbors can be made of a variety of materials....

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 water feature is a lovely addition to any yard, offering soothing sights and sounds to accompany relaxation in a chaise or hammock. Fortunately, you don't need a huge yard to enjoy a water...

During irrigation system installation, the control valves are traditionally installed underground to help prevent freezing. When these valves are installed, they should have a valve box installed...

Garden arches may border the entry to a garden path or provide a focal point in your back yard. Flowering vines and other foliage can embrace and disguise the building material in your garden arch...

Most modern irrigation pumps are self-priming. However, in some older installations, non-self-priming pumps are still in use. These pumps require a product installed on the system to make sure...

Outdoor water faucets are exposed to the elements 365 days a year, which leads them to eventually rust over and wear out. A leaking faucet can lead to huge water bills and can easily be replaced...

When an irrigation system stops working, finding the problem is usually easy. More often than not, either the controller has been cleared, a wire has become disconnected, or a control valve needs...

A water filler installed in a swimming pool is designed to keep the water level in the pool at a consistent level. The Pentair Automatic Water Filler is one type of water filler. This type of...

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...

Home water pumps are expensive and easily destroyed by cold weather. The easiest way to make sure a pump is not destroyed during a deep freeze is to winterize the pump. This should be done to all...

Installing a convertible jet pump is an extremely challenging task to complete and should only be attempted with prior knowledge of the drilling industry and process. The equipment is very...

Automatic sprinkler systems make watering the lawn and garden an easy endeavor. No more standing in the yard with the hose for hours to get everything watered. No more moving the sprinkler around...

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...

A curtain waterfall is the perfect solution for a small backyard water feature. It can be tall and narrow, low and long or any size in between. Make the waterfall curtain from PVC pipe or copper...

Spinning copper garden sprinklers add a touch of whimsy to your garden or your backyard. You can make your own spinning sprinkler with a few supplies from the local hardware store. The most...

Whether they are fish ponds, rock ponds or just water features, these outdoor additions bring a sense of peace and calm to any landscape. However, all that enjoyment is quickly erased if the pond...

Standing water can be a big problem in yards. Compacted clay soil is usually the culprit. As more water collects on top, the problem actually compounds itself by compacting the soil further. A...

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,...

Building a portable greenhouse lets the home gardener extend the outdoor growing season by starting early and growing later into the fall. Using a portable greenhouse with raised beds further...

A stone fountain can be a beautiful centerpiece for any outdoor space. It adds a sense of sophistication and serenity, and provides a quiet place to relax at the end of a long day. While building...

A greenhouse can substantially expand your growing season, allowing you fresh foods or flowers for more of the year each year. You can build your own greenhouse with simple plans or opt for a more...

Fountains lend aesthetic appeal to almost any outdoor space. They can be used as centerpieces for gardens and patios and as accents for walkways and deck areas. Their quiet, constant flow of water...

Gutter downspouts can be located very close to a house and cause problems with water seeping in the foundation wall or cause dampness in a basement. Underground drainage for downspouts can often...

Because basement window wells are enclosed on all four sides--either by dirt, concrete or metal--it is imperative that you install drain tile in order to remove excess water from the well. The...

Amaze your family and friends with a fountain that seems to never dry up and the water just disappear into nowhere. The water from your fountain will flow down your cascade and seemingly disappear...

Bluebirds are not only colorful, but helpful in keeping down the insect population in your yard. After you build or buy a nesting box, locate and mount it properly to attract these beautiful birds.

Avid gardeners and farmers are very familiar with the benefits of composting. Composting is the systematic breaking down of plant matter and waste, and often results in a nutrient rich, natural...

PVC may be the easiest and lightest material you can use to make a flag holder. It won't rust or decay, and it can be painted in any color you choose. A PVC pipe flag holder is also versatile...

PVC pipe is not the most sturdy material from which to make a flagpole, but it is definitely economical. The question is, "How do you take advantage of the ease of assembly and economy without...

If you have a problems with water clouding or too much particulate in your backyard pond, it might be due to low oxygen levels. Hot weather, cloudiness, algae blooms and plant death all can...

Although you can buy rain barrels, you can also make your own. You need hard plastic barrels, screens and lids to cover the barrels and an optional faucet to connect to the barrel for ease of...

Standing water on a concrete driveway can freeze during the winter and create hazardous conditions. It can also pile up during other parts of the year, causing cracks and concrete failure....

Flagpoles made for homes and businesses are often lightweight aluminum or steel poles designed to be held up by guy-wires or for light duty applications. Often a high-quality replacement flag can...

The very thing that makes a motorcycle enjoyable to ride is what makes it vulnerable to the elements. Motorcycles are open to the air around them, and, unless you have a garage or shed to park...

Tiki lights are an added delight when you're hosting a party in your backyard. They are equally as enjoyable when you just want to have a relaxing evening at home with your family. Tiki lights...

If you've always wanted a greenhouse, but the idea of hammering, nailing or sawing anything leaves you intimidated, then not to worry. Thanks to advances in plastics, you can assemble many modern...

Many water filters will make Florida well water drinkable, but the easiest to install is an under-sink water filter. This filter screens impurities out of the water before it passes through the...

Rain barrels can be easily built to catch rain water from your gutters or catch natural rain as it falls. This water can be reused to water your lawn, or can be filtered to be used for washing...

Preformed ponds, just like any other ponds, need to have a contingency plan for any water over flow emergencies. If left unchecked, an overflowing pond can wash away valuable plants, soil and even...

If you have a man made pond in your land, and you need to manually feed water into it because of the lack of rain or excessive heat, then here is a simple way to do it.

Having children means providing them them outdoor activities. If you have a yard, getting some play equipment can provide hours of entertainment for your children. One of the simplest equipment...

The easiest way to watch for deer is to simply provide food for them. Creating your own corn feeders for deer will attract them and once the deer feel safe eating from your corn feeders, they will...

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...

French drain trenches are used to direct runoff away from buildings and to drain standing water into an area where it can't do any harm. Installing a French drain trench is straightforward, but it...

A backyard fountain adds both beauty and value to your home. Many homeowners who enjoy do-it-yourself work can choose to take on this project themselves. The plumbing is a key component in a...

A French drain is a simple but effective way to move standing water, whether it's against a house or in a boggy area of the yard. Water collects in a trench and is diverted through a pipe...

With a little bit of space and a simple greenhouse design, the growing season can be extended a couple of months. Houseplant, gardening, and green-thumb enthusiasts can easily build their own...

This article explains how to winterize an outdoor water tank that is NOT used for drinking water. The result should be that the tank will not fully freeze in places in the USDA growing zone 6a.