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...

Rubble stone is the by-product of either natural geological occurrences or work in a quarry. While it is usually used as fill for mortared walls, it may also be used on its own to create...

Thinking of ways to revitalize your front yard landscape or your backyard garden on a budget? Installing a beautiful stepping-stone pathway is an easy, economical way to bring both whimsy and...

You've purchased stepping stones to make a new walkway in your front yard or in your garden. Here's how to move them into place so they form a convenient path.

Stepping stone walkways are an easy, economical and decorative addition to your front or back yard. They do not require concrete or construction and can be implemented in only a few hours. Follow...

Ducks are enjoyable animals to watch, especially when they quack and play around water. Using a vinyl or rubber pond liner to make a small pond for use by ducks is an easy-to-install and...

Whether your are looking to add character to your landscaping or just looking for a place to talk under the stars, a gas fire pit is a good addition to landscaping projects. While there are many...

Personalize the walkway to your front door or backyard garden with a homemade stepping stone. Stepping stone kits cost around $20. Purchasing your own supplies separately saves money, especially...

Within your home, the personal touches you add can bring a welcoming feel to any room. In many households, stone tiles accent the kitchen or bathroom. A popular trend is painting your own murals...

Landscaping stones are a great addition to any yard or garden. The are usually flagstone material and from time to time they will need to be cleaned. Landscaping stones are used in many different...

Like a lot of us, you have always wanted an impressive masonry mailbox, but for years, you have been stuck with that boring "breadbox on a post" because you assumed the mailbox of your dreams...

Waterfalls add serenity to your landscape and can be a focal point in your backyard space. You can build a small backyard waterfall with minimum building skills, large stones and a lot of sweat...

A backyard fire pit can be a nice amenity for cold nights and a great way to cook food on open flames. High-quality fire pits consisting of metal, brick and other materials look nice, but often...

Waterfalls add a special ambience to your property, whether they are a focal point in your outdoor living space or a hidden treasure in your garden. You can build a slate waterfall with minimum...

Raised ponds can create a lovely focal point in a garden, especially when surrounded with stacked stones and crevice plants. Raised ponds are also safer than sunken pools because visitors and...

Would you like to dress up your garden with stepping stones but you would rather make them yourself instead of buying them?

It's becoming a popular endeavor in both warm and cold climates to enjoy the beauty and freedom of an outdoor shower. The natural light, air and decorative intersection with the outdoors are...

Grave stones mark the burial grounds for those who have passed away. Over time, grave stones erode, develop stains, and the writing on them may become unreadable. Grave stones, however, can be...

Greenhouses are heated by the sun during the day, but according to Hobby Greenhouse, up to 80 percent of all that heat is lost overnight. Electric heaters do a good job of keeping a greenhouse...

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...

Stacked stone walls can be used as fences, borders, or as retaining walls. Stone walls created without mortar are called dry stacked walls, and they naturally flex with changes in the soil. Dry...

A stone barbecue pit can be an architectural accent to your home and will last for generations. Use your skills as a mason to build a masterpiece or learn some basics and fit your pit around...

Gathering around a crackling outdoor fire, telling stories and roasting marshmallows is a great outdoor activity for a cool evening. A fire pit, either elaborate or basic, makes backyard fires...

A crackling fire outside on a nice summer or autumn evening creates great atmosphere for parties and cookouts, and a well-designed stone fireplace in a backyard can increase a home's value and...

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...

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...

With an energetic teenage son and an afternoon to spare with recently gathered materials you can create an attractive, soothing patio-side water feature. Here’s how!

Fire pits add an elegance and yet a primal charm to an outdoor landscape. These pits should be located well away from outdoor structures and homes. Some fire pits may be dug into the ground,...

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...

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...

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,...

If you want to spend more time enjoying your beautiful backyard, adding an outdoor fireplace is the perfect way to make your backyard inviting year-round. Installing your own outdoor fireplace may...

A foutain in your garden is a nice way to sit outside get some fresh air and watch the water flowing. Get relaxed and clamed by your own tranquail fountain.

There’s no place like home, and if you have the room in your backyard, why not build an outdoor fire pit? Fire pits add adventure and a warm outdoor ambiance. You can build one for less money...

Summer is a great time to get creative with your lawn and garden decorations which makes it the perfect time to make these keepsake paving stones with your children. So gather the kids and have...

Cultured Stone Veneer by Owens Corning is the original such product on the market. The inventors recognized a need for a light-weight stone veneer that could be applied to interior and exterior...

If you have ever been to a landscaping showroom or a well-landscaped garden, there is a good possibility that you have seen exposed aggregate patio stones. There are tightly packed pea gravel...

If you have been thinking about building a pond on your property, but are uncomfortable about spending hundreds of dollars for a solid or PVC pond liner, there is an economical alternative. With...

Landscaping stones with interesting, eye-pleasing shapes can be reproduced by casting them. Cast the stones from concrete for outdoor use, or from plaster for indoor use. You can even make slabs...

Make a rustic outdoor water fountain for your garden with medium to large-sized stones from your property or river rock you can find at your local landscape supplier. Rustic design incorporates...

You've just installed a new flower bed, but something's missing. Landscape edging would set the bed off and make it pop. If you're deciding on using stone landscape edging, it will definitely...

Making a decorative water fountain for your patio or garden is a simple craft project that you can complete in less than an hour. With a few supplies, you can make a water fountain that will be at...

An outdoor custom stone grill can be a very nice touch to any yard or property. Although it can be a great place to cook, it can also be used for ambiance or as a regular fire pit. Stone grills...

Decide where you are going to install the artificial turf. Mark the perimeters with small wire flags. Use a spade shovel to remove any grass or weeds in the area. Level the dirt out as best as...

Fireplaces actually have two hearths: the inner hearth and the outer hearth. The inner hearth---also called the fireplace floor---is an integral part of the structure, while the outer one (the one...

An outdoor fireplace warms your outdoor living space so your family can spend more time in the backyard. While the thought of building your own outdoor fireplace can seem daunting, kits are...

Koi ponds are a great way to make your water garden different. A koi pond should be larger than a normal pond, roughly 1000 gallons in volume. You also need to make the pond area at least 3 feet...

Flagstones are close-grained sedimentary rocks that can be quarried in layers giving them a flat appearance. They are usually a group of related rocks instead of a specific rock, almost always...

Making a homemade waterfall for your pond is a simple matter of selecting the right materials and the design best suited for your garden. A pond waterfall adds a layer of interest to your garden...

You love romping barefoot in the grass, but you hate having to walk across gravel to get there. You can make walking across gravel, water or annoying landscaping that much easier if you install...