Special Outdoor Projects

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...

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...

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...

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,...

There are many times when the original placement for an outdoor shed turns out to be less than ideal. To account for this, it is a good idea to build your shed with a skid foundation so that the...

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...

A greenhouse can be your second garden, where you can keep your plants in a secure place. One advantage of a greenhouse is that it protects plants from frost, excessive rain, heavy wind, mildew,...

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...

When choosing between copper or PVC for outdoor shower plumbing, it is important to check with your local building codes, since some cities have specific regulations that may require the use of...

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...

Building your own greenhouse is an economical way to enjoy and grow vegetables, fruits and flowers throughout the year. Not only can you save costs while constructing your greenhouse, but the...

A greenhouse can provide a whole new level to your home gardening projects. It is not only simple and inexpensive to build one, but incredibly effective. For a day's work, and a small budget, you...

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....

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...

Like many recreational purchases, buying a hammock usually involves an additional acquisition: the proper tools and/or stand to hang it. Many hammocks come with an optional stand that you can...

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 would like a flagpole in your yard, it is possible to assemble a simple version of one out of pipes. The flagpole can be as tall as you'd like as long as it won't be too difficult to place...

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...

For avid gardeners, the growing season is never long enough. One way to lengthen your growing season is to have a greenhouse in which you can start plants early and even grow some plants in 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...

Building your own driveway gate is a way to maintain privacy on your property, as well as create a safe yard area for pets or children. A gated driveway can be built for a relatively cheap price,...

Having a place to shield your vehicle against the weather is important for making your car last and to help retain its value. If you can't use your garage for this, you may want to consider using...

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.

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...

A pond can be a beautiful asset to the landscape, but it can cause extreme frustration if it has a leak in its. The causes of leaks include pressure from rocks overlooked during installation, a...

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...

You can find all types of free greenhouse plans on the Internet. A straightforward plan like the hoop-style greenhouse below is an ideal start for beginners. Before you build, locate a level spot...

Adding an inground irrigation system to your property will greatly increase the ease and convenience of caring for your yard. It will also increase the value of your property by making it more...

If you have a man made pond, and it is stocked with fish, you need to make sure that there is good oxygen in the water.

A shallow well can be dug on any property that has a high water table. Typically, the shallow well is used on farms or for homes that do not have access to a city water supply. A hand pump or...

Are you tired of tracking mud and dirt into your house after your yardwork is done. I found an easy way to get a refreshing shower outside using your water hose and some cheap pvc piping. this...

Using PVC pipe reinforced with rebar, you can quickly and easily build a greenhouse. This type of greenhouse is relatively secure, but not considered a permanent structure. In areas with mild...

Private water wells for home consumption must be safe for all uses. The type of pipe used is a major consideration in the safety of the well water. Many wells contain minerals that quickly corrode...

An outdoor shower with a partition will be helpful when you have a crowd over for a swim. It will save time and help prevent tracking grass shavings, sand, salt or chlorine into the house. It can...

Short growing seasons are frustrating for many gardeners; it often seems that no sooner have the tomatoes started to ripen than the first frost is on its way. A greenhouse is a great way to get a...

A greenhouse is a wonderful way to extend the growing season. Begin a vegetable garden long before others do by growing seeds in a greenhouse. Save money buying seeds instead of transplants....

Adding a flagpole to your landscape is a great way to show pride in your country or to support your favorite team by flying their colors. A 20-foot flagpole will make a statement in your yard, but...

While commercially available pond filters are effective, their cost can push construction of a home pond out of reach. As long as proper volume and filtration capabilities are maintained, homemade...

You can buy deer feeders in your local game and fish shop or you can make them yourself. You can make your own deer feeder for a small percentage of what you would pay in a store so it simply...

A broken sprinkler line can cause a lot of damage by eroding soil and flooding your lawn. It can also lead to a huge water bill. Sprinkler line repairs usually can be handled by anyone with...

During extremely dry conditions, slab foundations can rise or fall causing cracks in you house walls, ceilings and door frames. Keeping the fill around the foundation damp saves costly repairs....

While professionally made pond filters can cost hundreds of dollars, it is possible to make pond filters at home for much less. Just as effective at filtering out pond waste and building...

A sprinkler system adds to both the convenience and value of a home. The installation of a system requires planning and physical labor, but only average do it yourself skills are required. A...