Special Outdoor Projects

Perhaps nothing makes a bolder statement to join two levels in your garden than a meandering, ancient-looking rock staircase. The look of steps hewn into the earth is appealing in an almost...

The sound of a gently burbling waterfall is enchanting and can quickly sooth any harried homeowner, especially when that waterfall is a located just a step or two from your deck or patio. Making...

Backyard ponds can be built either above or below ground. When digging into the earth is not desired, an aboveground rock pond is the best alternative. When you make a rock pond above ground,...

Clean, fresh water is a necessity for birds and can be hard for them to find. Although birds will use all types of baths, they tend to favor trickling or spraying water. In-ground bird baths are...

Glow-in-the-dark rocks are a sound alternative to traditional electrical lighting systems and they can be used to light driveways, sidewalks and gardens. The rocks charge for free, with the UV...

Once you have installed a water garden and pond waterfall, you need to finish the landscaping design by hiding all hardware and liners. You can hide a pond waterfall unit in a variety of ways to...

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...

The dry stream bed, the path of sand, pebbles and stones left after the water in a stream dries up, is both visually and architecturally interesting and useful in landscape design. Situating the...

Enjoy the soothing sounds of falling water with your own backyard waterfall, simply constructed in your open yard, garden or pond area. Waterfalls come in all sizes and varieties. Fiberglass...

On a hot summer day, the scent of Corsican Mint and Thyme waft up from the sun-warmed rock floor of my gazebo. There is nothing so satisfying as building something that is beautiful, practical and...

This article goes over building a rockery in your backyard. This task is very physical and should be approached carefully. Always use your legs and keep your center of gravity even. It can be...

Build a garden trellis to utilize every season for planting your favorite summer vines, from tomatoes to fall delights like pumpkins. Spring vines like peas create a beautiful wall of green, while...

Gardeners are always seeking ways to add interest to a garden. One of the common ways is to add rocks in strategic places. But if you don't have rocks at hand, you can always make faux rocks so...

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...

An outdoor fire pit is a great addition to any yard and is a simple project that can be completed in a few hours. This design can also be used as a grill.

A water feature in your landscaping offers a beautiful bit of the wild in your backyard. The soothing sound of running water seems to cool the garden on a hot day, and the opportunity to keep...

Adding a fire pit to your backyard is another great way to enjoy the outdoors during the cool spring and summer nights. Even better, it's a cost effective project that you can do during your spare...

While usually constructed next to a backyard water garden, pond-less waterfall ideas are perfect for small yards and those who enjoy the sights and sounds without much of the maintenance. Cut...

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...

Backyards have become more than a space for playing or grilling dinner. People have begun exploring the idea of outdoor living spaces and have started decorating, landscaping and finishing outdoor...

You have a pond, and feel there is something missing. If you have fish, the stagnant water isn't healthy for them either. Adding a waterfall to your pond isn't difficult, but it does take some...

Building a waterfall in your backyard pond is not easy. It is physically demanding and requires planning. You will need to be prepared to stand in your pond and make adjustments until the...

Making fake rocks can be a relatively easy process, especially with patience and the right materials and tools. If you carefully follow the directions on how to create faux rocks, you can soon...

Landscaping stones and rocks are often a nice addition to a garden or yard. They can add color, texture and a little bit of ruggedness to an otherwise plain landscaping. Fortunately, there are...

Building backyard ponds and waterfalls can be an expensive professional landscaping project. Do-it-yourself water garden projects can save money and give you the specific style your yard needs....

The ability to cut rocks can add versatility to your landscape choices. Cutting rocks gives you a choice between a rigid straight line appearance at borders or a more natural broken look. For...

Build this outdoor fire pit and bring family and friends together to share the warmth in your own backyard.

Rocks are a natural stabilizer in a garden or lawn, creating structure and grounding the more lithe and delicate shapes of the ever-changing foliage. Adding rocks in your landscaping can be a...

Landscaping with hardscape material, such as river rocks, lends a natural beauty to the back yard. Using river rock aids in the prevention of soil erosion from water runoff. Use river rock for...

There are several design techniques involving rocks in your landscape. You can create a beautiful rock garden, a rock border or use rocks individually around the yard. Design the landscape on...

Create a backyard waterfall in your landscape to add beauty and the peaceful sound of flowing water. Whether you have an existing pond or not, adding a water feature made of prefabricated...

A koi pond can bring a splash of serenity to any yard. That serenity can be further enhanced and expanded to create a showy oasis that highlights the pond as the centerpiece of your yard. You can...

Building a fire pit can be a great way to relax and enjoy the summer months or a fun way to stay warm outside during the colder months. With a fire pit you can deter bugs, make S’mores, or just...

If you have deck posts with exposed concrete footings, consider decorating them with local stone. This can be done simply and economically by dry stacking stone cones around the concrete footings,...

It is summertime and everyone is looking for ways to spice up the landscaping. Perhaps you would like a pond or a garden pond in your yard, but do not know how to do it. Read on for more details...

Landscaping projects can take front or back yards from boring to beautiful, and the efforts don't always have to be costly. For example, a simple rock border surrounding a garden or walkway can...

Barbecue with propane for fast, economical cooking on an outdoor gas grill. The delicious taste of meats, fish and vegetables cooked on a grill is one of the benefits of warm weather everyone...

A water feature creates a serene atmosphere that is very enjoyable. Especially when it was created from your own two hands! You can build a beautiful water feature in your yard or garden fairly...

Building a rock fountain for your garden is easier than moving and manipulating large natural stones. Faux rocks weigh far less than their natural counterparts, with a medium size resin rock...

Fountains add a special kind of magic to your garden or backyard landscape. The soft trickle of the water as it splashes into the fountain reservoir adds music to your garden. You can easily make...

Water fountains are some of the most beautiful landscaping decorations. They provide peaceful spots for contemplation and can greatly increase the value of your property. Following these simple...

Everyone loves water fountains, whether they are in the yard, on the deck or in the house. Unfortunately, they can be quite expensive. With a look around your house and a few extra items, you can...

Wouldn't it be great to have a water feature in your yard? Is it too expensive to hire a professional to do it? Now you can have a beautiful water feature with little expense and time involved,...

A backyard fish pond provides so much to enjoyment to all kinds of outdoor decor and landscaping. You can create an even more pleasing oasis with the addition of a waterfall in the fish pond....

It is not that difficult really to make an unusual sitting bench for that quiet spot in your garden. Following these simple directions you can build a durable piece of outdoor furniture that is...

There are several ways you can build cement rocks and boulders. Here are three methods that will create realistic rocks you can use for decoration or landscaping.

A container fountain is a self-contained water feature that usually sits in a garden or patio area. For centuries, people have incorporated water elements into garden areas for the relaxing sound...

A calming place used to soothe the mind and spirit is what a Zen garden should be about. Zen gardens are being studied by neoroscientists because the simple designs are pleasing to the...

Water brings out the gorgeous colors not normally visible in many rocks, so building your own rock fountain can be fun and challenging. Once you are done, the sound and sight of a rock fountain...

Fountains are a beautiful addition to any rock garden. A rock garden fountain not only adds a visual flair, but also the gentle sound of trickling water. When designing your rock garden fountain,...