Special Outdoor Projects

Landscape timbers are an inexpensive and relatively easy way to edge a raised garden bed. The basic procedure simply calls for designing and digging a trench, putting two courses of timbers into...

Farmland clearing should ideally be carried out during late fall or early winter to minimize soil compaction and to prevent unnecessary soil being discarded along with the brush. Clearing land for...

Ponds have both practical and aesthetic uses to many landowners. Whatever your motives, building a pond on your land may be easier than you think. Of course, it will require some heavy machinery,...

If you're lucky enough to own a home on the water, you may want to consider building your own dock instead of buying one. Docks are versatile structures used for fishing, docking a boat or even...

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...

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...

Nothing looks lonelier than an empty urn or window box in a winter landscape. It sends the message: “Something is missing.” So instead of putting the garden to bed I like to wake it up by filling...

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...

Making a compost bin for your home is a great way to reduce household waste and promote a healthy garden. By composting at home, you'll save money by creating your own fertilizer and reusing...

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 shed will be much more durable if it is built on a concrete slab foundation instead of just dirt. The slab will protect the shed from rot and provide a better seal against insects and vermin....

A box blade is a tractor attachment that can perform tasks for home use, agricultural use and for building and development of roads. Its primary purpose is to move and level dirt and/or gravel and...

Compost can be created using plants, dead leaves, and organic trash matter. Over time, compost breaks down into a rich fertilizer that is perfect for vegetable gardens and flowerbeds. Earthworms...

Over time soil will be swept away by precipitation and winds in a process called erosion. In nature this is a necessary and sometimes even beneficial process, but it can prove detrimental to...

An outdoor trellis provides your landscape with a rustic and colorful focal point. Use the structure to support seasonal crops like beans and peas. Alternatively, plant creepers, like sedum or...

Climbing vines like sweet jasmine or vegetables like tomatoes and zucchini can make a trellis the focal point of your garden. Install a trellis against the side of your home, or secure the trellis...

Red worms are a common species of earthworm---these are the wrigglers you usually see on your driveway after the rain. They are extremely valuable as composters---animals that eat garbage and...

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...

A well-decorated window box gives your home curb appeal and makes it more attractive, which can actually increase its value. Window boxes that overflow with flowers and decorative ornaments...

Red worms are a common species of earthworm---these are the wrigglers you usually see on your driveway after the rain. They are extremely valuable as composters---animals that eat garbage and...

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...

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...

Red worms are a common species of earthworm--these are the wrigglers you usually see on your driveway after the rain. They are extremely valuable as composters--animals that eat garbage and...

Red worms are a common species of earthworm--these are the wrigglers you usually see on your driveway after the rain. They are extremely valuable as composters--animals that eat garbage and...

Farm pond leakage is a rather common problem and usually stems from a number of problems. Sometimes the ground itself is too porous to really hold and retain water. Sometimes the dam is improperly...

Growing trees for firewood can be highly lucrative for several reasons. As the cost of oil rises, many homes are now turning to alternative heating sources, such as wood burning stoves. Also,...

Man-made ponds serve a great cause for nature, and help many farmers and gardeners throughout the world. However, pond owners often worry about their pond drying up. There are a few precautions...

Water lilies are a great way to bring a touch of color to your water garden or pond. They're easy to care for and have a long growing season. If you can't find any at your local garden supply...

Water is a natural resource we use every day. Watching how much water you use for showering, brushing your teeth and cleaning your house helps save water. Other things also can help. People often...

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...

A good farm pond that supports a fish population and meets the requirements of its intended use takes good planning, proper construction and ongoing management. Property owners can get help on a...

A Japanese dry river bed is a waterless landscaping feature that is widely used to add an interesting focal point in a garden. They are popular in arid regions such as the Southwest that...

Gypsum is a soft evaporite (water soluble) mineral and is considered sedimentary rock (formed by the deposit of minerals and organic material). The chemical formula for gypsum is CaSO42H2o and is...

Having your own pond allows you to create fun fishing memories with friends and family. Building a fishing pond is a fairly easy process that requires a location, water source, permit and stock fish.

Erosion control can be incorporated into new and existing landscapes to prevent soil from washing away. Land clearing and new home construction are typical causes of erosion. In many cases the...

The type of soil you are dealing with and where to place your septic is a big decision. You must also consider the number of people that will potentially be using the system. If the tank is too...

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...

Pole barns can be a good way to add a building to your property with less expense than traditional construction. The barns are available in may different sizes, colors and roof types to match the...

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...

Building a backyard fish pond is a big undertaking. I worked on 2 fish ponds and here are some ideas to help get you started with a fish pond to raise walleye and perch. These were not small ponds...

Many families find themselves running out of storage space or wanting a place for backyard tools. Because of this, sheds are one of the most common projects that do-it-yourself homeowners decide...

Flagstone is frequently used for patios and walkways. The beautiful, natural stone blends into the surroundings, making it look like a natural part of the landscape. Installing the flagstone can...

We alter the landscape for many reasons, but the primary sources of significant change are agriculture, construction and harvesting resources. Over the course of human history, a tremendous amount...

Knowing how to use a pond liner is often critical to the success of a water feature in your yard. A good pond liner performs many functions beyond the most obvious---keeping the water in the pond....

An inexpensive raised garden bed can be built, planted and installed in a matter of hours. Basically a raised garden bed is little more than a bottomless box that is filled with a planting mix.

You probably see them behind stores all of the time--free shipping pallets make great recycled wood for building raised garden beds. If you're using the Mel Bartholomew method of Square Foot...

If you want to build a level playhouse, you will need a level site. A playhouse is much smaller and lighter than a house, but it is still an investment of your time and money. If you take the time...

A backyard pond adds a distinctive water element to your landscaping. You can watch migrating birds use it as a way station or you can stock it with fish and spend a lazy afternoon catching...

If you have an old fishing boat or canoe and don't know what to do to get rid of it, why not turn it into art! You can revamp that old boat into a place to plant flowers, add to your lake home...

Just about every farm has a pond somewhere on its property. Usually, they did not have a farm and then make a pond. Instead they first found a source of water such as a stream and then built their...