Special Outdoor Projects

If your indoor plant collection has become too large for your living room, your patio plants require storage over the winter or your spring plants need to harden before planting in the garden,...

The idea of the garden as an outdoor room has caught on in recent years. Once you view your yard as an extension of your home, the question becomes how to embellish it. Like decorating any...

Dense, clay soils are composed of fine particles which have a tendency to stick to one another, preventing air and moisture from circulating throughout the soil. French drains are underground...

Mulch is a material placed over the soil surrounding your garden plants. Mulch can be made of various organic materials including bark, straw or manure. If you happen to have a pond nearby, you...

The lotus is a shallow water plant that grows happily in a bog. In a natural environment, lotus rhizomes and roots are always wet, while the upper parts of the plant stand above water. Purchase...

The really hard work is done. You have cemeted the final stone into the side wall bordering your garden or patio. Now it is time to embellish. Dressing up a stone wall can be as easy or as...

Most concrete steps aren't attractive. Dress yours up by using these tips. You'll create a welcoming, beautiful space. After all, it's the first spot your guests will grace.

Small backyards can have the beauty of a water feature without the fuss of pumps, filters and electrical conduits. Making a bog garden takes two days, and maintaining the garden only requires...

Imagine a rooftop oasis that lives, grows and cleans your air. Green roofs have been popular in Europe and Canada for several years and are now gaining popularity in the United States. They...

A waterfall pond is a delightful addition to any backyard, but it requires careful planning and physical effort. Flowing water is not only attractive to look at but restful to hear. The addition...

Arbors and trellises have similar functions in a garden. Both structures are designed to support plants, but a trellis is much smaller than an arbor.

The terms "arbor" and "pergola" are often used interchangeably to describe a very similar garden structure. Both structures support climbing plants. However, a pergola is a more elaborate and...

Many urban residents have limited outdoor space and are often faced with a concrete patio or yard. Unappealing and cold, these spaces need some attention and effort in order to transform them into...

Water features add serenity to any landscape, whether they are cascading waterfalls or the slight trickle of a small fountain. Water features need a lot of upkeep and can be expensive to install,...

A pond in your yard makes a beautiful feature for the landscape, attracts songbirds and provides an endlessly changing focal point. There are so many options, from a sweet little circular lily...

Bamboo is actually a robust grass that can grow in a wide variety of climates and soils. With heights ranging from one foot to 100 feet, bamboo is further distinguished by root systems; with...

Hanging baskets are a simple way to add character to your yard or porch, and require very little maintenance once the baskets are planted. You can plant a traditional hanging basket with solid...

Small ponds can be the perfect habitat for birds, amphibians, insects and fish and are an excellent way to entice wildlife into your yard. Amphibians, such as frogs, generally have a complex life...

Water plants are an important part of keeping your pond healthy and in good shape. They help remove waste and other materials from the water while the flowering plants provide a welcome respite...

A water feature in your landscaping design can be as simple as a small, still pond or as complex as a cascading waterfall and stream. How you decorate around your water feature depends in large...

An air conditioner unit can be an unsightly fixture on the outside of a home. Since it would not usually be practical to move the unit, hiding it with something more visually appealing can improve...

Designing and creating a backyard pond to attract waterfowl can be as expensive and intricate as you desire. Pond kits come with liners, pumps, and hoses that you need to install. These can be...

First you have to decide how much area you have then choose what kind of water feature you would like to build. You can decide from prefab ponds to vinyl lined, or your on design. From that...

Gardens and landscaping make your yard look and feel inviting. if you're short on space or money, with some creativity and imagination you can create flower containers that will make any outdoor...

Shading a pergola can help to keep the space cool during the warm summer months while creating a structure to grow your favorite plants. Shade a pergola and you have an inviting spot to utilize...

Figuring out that you want a greenhouse is just the beginning. Next, there are the questions of which type of greenhouse to build or buy, and how to run a greenhouse once you get it built. Your...

Many aquatic plants can grow on your pond, some of which are noxious and need to be removed. Many of these plants spread aggressively, crowding out the native species. Some of them form floating...

A greenhouse converts solar energy into radiant heat for the purpose of growing plants that couldn't survive on their own outside. Most gardeners use greenhouses to grow cold-tolerant plants such...

Farm ponds are often larger than backyard, decorative ponds and act as a water source for farm animals. Therefore, it is important to have a clean farm pond. They sprout a series of aquatic plants...

Garden fountains and pools can be created in your backyard or garden to create a beautiful focal point in your yard. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can create your own design...

A natural garden trellis can be a simple and elegant addition to your landscape. Creating a trellis using odds and ends found around your home or in your backyard is a great way to stay on a...

Even though the majority of the planet is comprised of water, only a small amount of that water is suitable for human consumption. Water is an essential part of human existence. Without it, we...

Now that you've dug the hole and set up your garden pond, the hardest part is over, right? Unfortunately not. Caring for a garden pond is an ongoing job, but it's worth it when you are rewarded...

During the hot and dry summer months plants and flowers are susceptible to drying out. Sometimes we forget to water them and they end up shriveling away. This can all be remedied with a few pop...

Everyone with a water garden pond has fought the battle for pond algae control at some point. Whether it was string algae, surface algae, blue-green, brown, or suspended algae, if you have a water...

When you think of plants that climb, you think of places to plant them. You may not always have fences for this purpose. You can make your own fence in an economical way. You can make it even...

With consumers in the United States spending billions every year to landscape their outdoor spaces, it is no wonder that garden ponds and similar water features have become a hot trend. The...

Ponds are teeming with aquatic and semiaquatic plants and many different types of colorful fish. Many of the fish that live in ponds are of the hardy variety and can live through winters and...

A peaceful little pond in the garden landscape is a luxury many think of as too expensive and difficult to install. But there are many cheap and easy ways to create a beautiful backyard pond. With...

If you are looking for a subtle landscaping touch but just don't know what to use, you may want to try out lava rocks. These are easy to landscape with because they are extremely lightweight and...

Greenhouses are used to extend the growing season of a climate and can house vegetables, flowers, potted trees or any living plants. A well-built and maintained greenhouse provides an optimal...

Algae are a common complaint in backyard fish or plant ponds, but adding chemical components can kill off the natural wildlife in and around your pond. Chemicals will raise the pH levels inside...

Earthworms are beneficial for the soil, plants and fishermen. They eat dead organic matter. This creats plant food and aerates the soil, allowing the ground to hold more water. The following guide...

Having a backyard pond is a wonderful hobby, but it takes work to maintain it, to keep the balance right and create the perfect atmosphere. If you are patient and willing to do the regular...

Front porches function as a gathering space for families as well as the inviting entry to your home. Using this space to the maximum effect adds an enjoyable option for a family that enjoys...

Landscaping a sloped backyard creates a unique challenge. Some of the many considerations include creating a functional slope, drainage, soil retention and blending the addition to your overall...

Wheel barrels can add a bold, attractive design element to your yard. Fill the barrel with your favorite flowers and herbs to create a makeshift flower pot. Place the wheel barrel in your garden...

In the most basic form, a greenhouse is a structure that uses the sun to cultivate plants. They can be made of glass or plastic. Greenhouses are used by horticulturists to cultivate exotic plants...

Greenhouses have been around since the time of ancient Rome. Servants used to build structures similar to current greenhouses to grow favorite vegetables of their kings or wealthy owners. More...

A goldfish pond is relatively easy to build and maintain and can enhance the beauty of your home. Watching your pets swimming freely and feeding them can provide hours of enjoyment and relaxation....