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A corner bin comes in handy for creating compost, a nutrient-dense, organic soil amendment for your yard or garden. Building the bin is a straightforward project any homeowner can tackle with ease. Place the bin on a corner so it is not clearly visible but easy to access when the compost is ready. Turn the contained waste in the corner bin frequently to aerate it and ensure it remains evenly moist at all times.
Every greenhouse needs a venting system to prevent buildup of excessive heat in warm and sunny locations. Vents must be adjustable, to open to let hot air escape, but close when temperatures cool and heat needs to be retained. The size and number of vents will vary with the greenhouse. Manufacturers use various greenhouse coverings and vent techniques, but in general a vent is a frame with a panel of glass or plexiglass, hinged on one side so it can open. Most greenhouses use automatic openers, triggered by temperature which causes gas in the opener to expand.
Installing a gazebo provides a covered outdoor structure that brings the comfort and security of railings and wood floors to any part of your property. In some cases homeowners prefer to attach their gazebos directly to their homes, making that space easily accessible. If you have the skills needed to build or assemble a gazebo, you can likely attach it to your house without a significant challenge. The process is similar to attaching a wooden deck to your home. However, failure to attach the gazebo properly may result in water damage to your home, a weak connection between structures or…
Building a gazebo in your yard adds interest to the landscape and gives you and your family a covered place to sit and enjoy the outdoors. Gazebos range from simple wood platforms with covers to elaborate designs that feature stairs, lighting and ornate carved wood. A basic gazebo floor can be built from panels to accommodate the number of sides and measurements of the angles. In an octagon, or eight-sided gazebo, the angles of all corners and interior angles measure 22-1/2 degrees.
The 2007 line of Sunjoy gazebos, similar to other Sunjoy gazebos, has a screened canopy frame with a mosquito net. It's suited for small family gatherings or getting together with a few of the neighbors. It protects your guests from bugs and other outdoor elements. The structure comes in several pieces comprising the roof, frame, canopies and mosquito net. You'll likely need assistance assembling the gazebo; enlist the help of a friend to hold onto one end of the frame while you tackle connecting the pieces together.
Precise measurements are an essential element in building an octagonal gazebo. If the foundation is slightly off-center, the gazebo kit's parts do not fit together properly. The simplest method of squaring an octagonal foundation is to lay out two squares of the same size, with the first square offset by one-half turn from the second. The points where the two squares intersect become the corners of the octagon. For example, laying out two overlapping 8-foot squares allows you to locate an 8-foot octagon's corners on the building site.
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing, hardiest plants in the world. There are 1,000 varieties, but all are canes, with hollow centers in the trunks. All bamboo wood is hard, but flexible. It once was the standard material for fly-fishing rods, which need to bend sharply and spring back easily. It is used for such varied things as flooring, fencing and kitchen cutting boards. It is naturally resistant to rot and most insect damage, which makes it ideal for outdoor structures such as decks and gazebos. A gazebo can be made entirely of bamboo or with some other wood elements.
A 10-by-10 gazebo is a portable shelter that fits over picnic tables or small tents. It provides shade for anyone enjoying outdoor activities. This size of gazebo is tall enough so most people do not have to worry about running into the frame when walking under the canopy. The compact storage case of the gazebo fits in the back of most cars for easy transportation. Putting this gazebo together takes only a few minutes with practice.
Silica is a mineral; sodium silicate works well for crystal-growing experiments. Crystal-growing projects, called silica gardens or more commonly, chemical gardens, offer the means to learn about how crystals develop. Different chemicals produce different colors and forms when added to a dissolved solution of sodium silicate. Make a silica garden to watch the growth patterns and create your own display of color and forms.
If you're outside relaxing or celebrating on an extremely hot and sunny day, you'll probably need protection from the sun. A portable gazebo might be your solution. At a park, for example, a 10-by-12 gazebo would fit nicely over a picnic table, shielding you from the elements, especially during unexpected rain. Designed to go up and then fold down into a compact package, it easily fits inside most vehicles.
The dianthus carnation, botanically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, features serrated, fragrant blossoms and luxuriant, bluish- or grayish-green foliage. Long considered a mainstay of the classic cottage garden, dianthus carnation is also well-suited to rock gardens and containers. A reliable bloomer from May to October, this hardy and charming plant can produce a riot of color; for added visual impact, some of dianthus' many cultivars feature darker centers, bi-colors and streaks. When grown under proper conditions and in the correct hardiness zone, dianthus thrives with little difficulty.
Gardeners can utilize trellis walls covered with confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) in a variety of ways. The vine-covered walls work well in accenting walkways, entranceways or adding privacy to porches. Make the trellis wall using a sheet of vinyl or pressure-treated wood trellis material. Select a basket-weave pattern, so the vine has support.
Over time, your existing outdoor lamppost can become worn or lose aesthetic appeal. Instead of hiring someone to replace it for you, do it yourself. With a trip to the local hardware store, you can acquire all the supplies you need to make a stone outdoor lamppost that will impress your neighbors and add to the look of your property. Construction requires some out-of-pocket expense and a little effort on your part.
Scatter gardens appeal to people who want to create natural-looking, low-maintenance drifts of wildflowers in their yard. It is among the simplest ways of creating a garden, since it requires little more than the even distribution of wildflower seeds over a tract of tilled and amended soil. Scatter gardens will only grow successfully, however, if the chosen seeds are appropriate to the climate and are sown during the correct season.
Builders often attach pergolas, patio covers and awnings to walls via horizontal support boards called ledgers. If the ledger supports a heavy load, such as a pergola frame, builders anchor the ledger to the studs beneath the wall's cladding. To accurately determine studs' distances from the exterior wall's corner, subtract the thickness of any wall coverings from the studs' spacing. If you forget to subtract the thickness of wall coverings, your measurements will end up short of the studs.
Trellises are handy in landscapes with vines or tall plants. They allow the gardener to take advantage of vertical growing space. A shade canvas benefits plants that require partially shady conditions to grow well. Depending on the variety of plant, afternoon shade will protect plants from over-exposure to the heat of the sun. As the landscape changes each year, a portable trellis may be moved to provide shade to needed areas.
The Madago screened gazebo has a canopied frame with the option to install mosquito netting. Great for entertaining, the gazebo keeps bugs out so your guests can enjoy the outdoors without the nuisance of mosquitoes, bees or other annoying insects. The assembly is completed in three sections; the frame, roof, and canopies and netting. Assembly does require assistance; you need at least one other person to hold the other end of the frame, canopies and net.
A water heater is a vital appliance in your home, but it's also an appliance that can require a lot of space. This can be an issue if your home is fairly small and you need to maximize the space you have available. You can work around this issue by moving the water heater outside your home. Building a lean-to water heater shed against the exterior of your home can protect the water heater from the elements. Placing the shed on a concrete slab provides a stable base that protects the water heater and pipes from the shifting ground.
Old, weathered-looking fireplace mantles can make the entire room unattractive. You can cover the mantle with an elegant-looking stone facade instead of tearing out the mantle to replace it. Professional stone masons or craftsmen can apply a stone facade on a mantle, but you can save money by applying stone tiling yourself using a few basic inexpensive supplies and tools that can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store.
Add architectural interest to surfaces in your home by creating a stone-look facade -- around your fireplace or on a bathroom wall, for example. While natural stones certainly have visual appeal, they can be very heavy and difficult to work with. Make the job of creating a stone facade less difficult by working with stone veneers. This material is thinner than natural stones, making it easier to manage, yet it offers the same charm as full-sized stones.
Sheds are a useful outdoor room for storing items such as garden furniture, tools and other garden equipment, such as lawn mowers and barbeques. However, a pre-built shed can be an expensive item to purchase, and there may not be one that is large enough for your specific needs. With a little time and effort, you can build your own lean-to tin shed that suits your exact size requirements and save yourself money while you do it.
For grill seekers, there's nothing quite like kicking back by an old-fashioned stone fire pit to grill your food. You don't have to wait until your next camping trip to enjoy the experience. Build your own stone barbecue pit in your backyard for year-round grilling satisfaction. With a small investment and a little effort, you can create a grilling structure that will bring you a lifetime of joy and good eating. It doesn't have to be fancy to make a fabulous meal.
A pergola is an attractive addition to any outdoor living space. It adds dimension and charm to your landscape. When covered in vines, a pergola also provides protection from the hot afternoon sun. You do not have to be a master craftsman to create an inexpensive pergola for shade over an existing patio, and the size of the pergola can be adjusted to suit your specific needs. Most local home improvement stores can precut the lumber for you, making this project easier.
A 4- by 8-foot shed has enough room to store a lawnmower, basic lawn equipment and other things without taking up a lot of valuable lawn space. It's a good size for homeowners with small yards, and it is a size that is fairly easy to build because it conforms to standard construction material dimensions. You can paint a wood-sided shed to match your house.
Traditional gazebo roof frames consist of a complex combination of common and hip rafters. Do-it-yourself builders can avoid measuring complex angles and making intricate cuts by using gazebo rafter brackets and joist connectors. Rafters installed with these brackets require only two plumb cuts; one at a rafter's ridge connection and one at the end of the rafter's overhang. Basic geometry helps you calculate rafter length and a large carpenter's square with square stops allows you to lay out plumb cuts.
Gazebos added to gardens and lawns provide a place to enjoy your property in the shade. Although gazebos are often octagonal, Merriam-Webster defines a gazebo as a self-supporting assembly that has open-air sides and a roof covering. Instead of spending a fortune on a store-bought or custom-made gazebo from a contractor, make your own using PVC. PVC is lightweight, making it easy to work with and inexpensive, saving you money.
Homemade sprinklers serve a dual purpose in the garden — they complement your outdoor decor, while providing water to your plants. Homemade sprinklers come in a variety of designs ranging from simple and easy-to-make, to challenging and complicated. Choosing a sprinkler that adds interest to your garden will create a space that you will enjoy showing off.
Recycle, reuse, re-purpose is the mantra of the frugal homeowner. Building a recycled window greenhouse provides a space for your family to grow fruits and vegetables during the winter and early spring. Older windows are often available for a minimal charge, or free, from window installers and even waste management facilities. Assembling a variety of recycled windows into a wall is like a jigsaw puzzle; however, with a tape measure, a few 2-by-4s and deck screws, your new greenhouse will become an attractive addition to your backyard.
Constructing a shed requires only basic carpentry skills and tools. Building an appropriate framework is the biggest challenge, because siding is not difficult to install. Select a space on your property that will work well for years to come, because you will need a permanent concrete slab. Define all of the shed dimensions carefully, so the framework shape yields a pleasing overall shape and design. You can use new or recycled siding materials to cover the shed. Be sure to invest time in painting and details, so it enhances your backyard landscape.
An environmentally sound way to recycle rain water is to capture it running off the roof into barrels and use it to water the lawn or garden. This type of tool is not always desired because it is an eyesore, but you can turn that boring barrel into a beautiful lawn ornament by building your own rain fountain. The constant running of the fountain prevents standing water issues caused by rain barrels and provides a soothing waterfall for the yard.
A bench stone is any sharpening stone you lie flat on a work bench. You move the edge of your blade back and forth on a bench stone as opposed to a powered grinding or buffing wheel, or a small slip stone you move back and forth on a blade. A water stone is any stone that uses water for lubrication and removes metal filings called swarf.
The shed roof is a common style on porches because it is easy to build and fits with any style of basic house roof. The shed or pent roof slopes in only one direction, carrying water away from the house. It protects the entry against rain and snow and provides shelter on the porch from sun. Some homeowners, however, want the protection against rain and hot sun rays, but still want to have natural light on the porch and be able to see the sky. The option then is for a see-through roof.
For centuries, in cultures all around the world, oil lanterns have been used as a source of both light and heat. They are useful for farm chores, hunting, fishing, camping, off-grid living and emergency lighting. When the temperature drops unexpectedly, oil lanterns can act as an emergency heat source for keeping plants warm in the greenhouse.
When you construct a gazebo, one option for securing it is to bolt it to an existing deck. While this option is the most secure, it is not the best option in all cases. Carefully consider what you want from your gazebo and deck before deciding how to secure your gazebo.
A small garden pergola adds an interesting design element to your landscape and can easily become the focal point of your garden. With the right design, climbing ivy or flowering vines can be trained to grow up and over the structure, providing height, color and shade. The pergola can be built in two days and requires basic carpentry skills and tools. The expense in minimal and the materials can be found at most home improvement centers.
Making a hanging garden can be an exciting project for a handy green thumb, and you can build one entirely from repurposed materials. Old pallets are readily available almost anywhere; they are often given away for free or a small charge by local businesses. All you need is one. The repurposed pallet will form the overall structure for the hanging garden. Repurposed rain gutters will provide the area in which to grow your garden. Yes, it may sound strange, but in actuality roof gutter troughs are ideal for growing a number of garden greens. You can hang your completed project…
Providing a birdhouse with appropriate dimensions is key to attracting and protecting a given species of wild birds. A proper opening size can prevent the entrance of larger, dangerous predators. Birds will demonstrate a distinct preference for a given opening size. Dedicated birdwatchers can decrease the circumference of an opening by adding a simple lining of polymer clay. Using this inexpensive acrylic to adjust the birdhouse entrance provides a simple solution and a pop of color.
Walk-in showers are the same as any other type of shower with the exception that they don’t have a door of any kind and instead rely on an open entryway where you can step right into the shower. The shower head is often around the corner or on the far wall away from the opening. While the most common method of installing stone in a shower is to use the real thing, some people’s budgets restrict them to using cultured stone. The installation in a walk-in shower is the way it is for any other cultured stone project.
A railing can serve many purposes in a garden, such as creating a barrier along one side of the garden or providing support for walking along the edge. If you need a railing to serve multiple functions, install adjustable railing brackets to the posts around the perimeter of your garden. This way, the railing can simply drop into any one of the slots in the brackets to adjust the height of the railing to suit your needs throughout the growing season.
Save money by assembling a storage building from a kit, such as the Cedarshed brand sheds from Lowe's. There are a number of Cedarshed options available depending on your storage needs as well as the amount of space you have for a shed. These sheds take at least two people to build and it is helpful to have a basic knowledge of carpentry or handyman skills. Plan on a minimum of two days to assemble the shed.
Piano hinges are continuous hinges that are attached to a door and a door frame along their entire length. Piano hinges get their name from upright pianos, where they can be found on the hinged tops that fold back to reveal the inner workings of the piano. Installing a piano hinge on a shed door ensures very strong support for the door, and prevents it from sagging or shifting within the door frame.
Not every plant grows well in the strong light of the day, so it might be necessary to build a small shelter from the sunlight to support these plants. A decorative trellis can create an attractive addition to your yard while helping block uncomfortable rays of sunlight. For example, if the sun shines into your house strongly from the south, create a dense trellis that allows plants to loop through it without letting too much sun through. Place it in front of the south side of your home to help fight the sunlight that comes through.
Houston is located in growing zone 9A, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The average minimum temperature in this zone ranges between 20 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit, so frost is still possible, although infrequent. Fortunately, Houston gets ample amounts of natural sunlight that encourage growth year round. Using a greenhouse can help you extend Houston's growing season and allow you to start seeds before the weather is conducive to outdoor growth.
As organic gardening and zero-waste policy trends increase in popularity, the humble compost bin has become an unlikely status symbol. The cost of purchasing chic designer models can be staggering. Yet much like the nutrient-rich substance itself, compost bins remain largely a homegrown effort. Plans for build-it-yourself compost bins range from highly intricate to almost simplistic. This tilth worm compost bin remains a classic: Its long and shallow design allows for easy access, and is not only easy to construct, but it'll provide years of sturdy and reliable use.
Rustic decor for a home uses raw building materials, especially logs and twigs. One rustic addition for your garden is a log trellis. The base of this trellis is constructed from sturdy logs installed a foot underground for stability that will even keep your tomato plants in place. The thatched lattice that plants climb on is made from twigs and thin branches that can be collected directly off any tree.
A properly configured storage bin allows you to store your unused glassware without the danger of breaking. The glasses break when allowed to hit against each other in the box. A storage bin provides separate compartments that hold the glasses snugly and cushion them so they don't move around. You can make the box plain or decorative, depending on your preferences and whether or not the storage bin is on display. The size of the box determines how many glasses your bin can safely hold.
Using antiques in the garden adds a layer of visual interest to the landscape, as well as a sense of history. Horticulturist William Welch of Texas A&M University recommends combining antique accessories with disease-, insect- and drought-resistant plants to create a rich look. If you want to incorporate an antique hand pump into your garden, first determine the era in which it was used. For an authentic look, choose plants commonly grown during that time.
A pergola is a framework of four wooden posts with evenly spaced crossbeams overhead. A pergola lends some shade to an outdoor area. It also serves as a support for garden vines, such as grapevines or climbing roses. Although pergolas can be built on a foundation of pavers or concrete, you can also build one on a dirt surface. Just ensure the selected building site dirt is packed firm and level, and anchor the corner posts in concrete.
The outdoor pavilion structure in a garden is referred to as a summerhouse, belvedere, kiosk, picnic shelter or gazebo. The gazebo provides a landscape vantage point, always covered with a roof to protect you from sun or rain. The structure is typical constructed of wood and may be rustic or formal in appearance, usually with a circular or octagonal shape. A foundation under the gazebo structure provides many advantages, but may not be necessary. The construction or installation plans likely list if some form of foundation or footing is needed for the gazebo.
Mosquitoes tend to gather wherever there is standing water - like in a rain barrel. Kill mosquitoes in rain barrels with help from the operator of a pest control business in this free video clip.
