Landscaping & Outdoor Building

Concrete is a hard and durable building material, but it is also porous and capable of staining. In this article, I'll show you how to remove leaf stain from concrete. Your success in removing...

The right poultry or chicken coop is a must if you want to provide good living conditions and protection to your poultry. You do not have to be an expert carpenter to be able to build a good...

Avoid these common mistakes when instlling your artificial turf, and your new synthetic lawn may even fool your neighbors into thinking it’s real grass.

Paver stones are an excellent building material for use in patios or walkways. If you're considering a project that involves the installation of paver stones, proper planning for material needs is...

HOW TO CREATE A QUICK GROUND COVER FOR FEEDING BIRDS. DO YOU LOVE BIRDS, AND ENJOY HAVING THEM NEARBY, SO THAT THEY CAN FEED PEACEFULLY?

Calculation of the surface area for an oval pool is not as straightforward as for a rectangular one. An oval represents the geometrical shape called an ellipse, and its area needs to be determined...

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...

If your outdoor grill area is lacking, a redesign of the area is in order. Whether you envision a small area just for the grill or a massive outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue, planning the...

Whether you prefer whimsical, meandering trails or functional straight lines, planning walkways before you begin work ensures that your walkways will meet your needs. There are many factors to...

Yard fences that will also serve as a kennel fence need to serve two purposes. The fence needs to look attractive and keep the dog from escaping. Fortunately, there are fences that serve both...

Slime mold gets its name because it often looks gooey and slimy. Slime mold comes in many different shapes and colors, including yellow. Slime mold most often is found outside because it feeds on...

Using landscaping to form a screen around your pool area is not only a way to obtain privacy, but it also helps create a beautiful atmosphere while you are enjoying your pool. There are many kinds...

Pea gravel is made up of rounded stones about 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch in size. It is relatively inexpensive, comes in different shades of white and brown and is easy to handle without heavy...

Selecting the perfect bird bath for your yard is simple. The challenge is placing and landscaping the new feature. The surrounding landscape features hold the potential of enhancing the bird bath...

A concrete slab has many uses--driveway, patio, or foundation for an addition, garage or porch. While the size and the shape of the concrete are very important depending on its use, proper...

To finish off a deck, you'll usually want to put in some steps. These can be designed in an infinite number of styles. Designing the right type of stairs for your deck can improve the joy you get...

Landscaping your yard or garden creates an orderly, aesthetically pleasing effect for you and your guests to enjoy. While landscaping projects can include many elements, using various mulches to...

A remodel of an old patio renews the area and provides an ideal area for outdoor activities. Whether you enjoy the patio yourself or entertain guests, the new area extends the living space...

You have many outdoor landscaping projects on your plate. From patching your concrete driveway to finishing the rock garden, the outdoor projects keep coming. One project that you want to complete...

Wireless fences work by delivering a mild shock to your pet if it tries to wander outside a set boundary area determined by the strength of the transmitter. Unlike electric invisible fences, they...

Due to their thick root-mats and tolerance for a wide range of growing conditions, many types of field grass can be hard to eradicate. Most importantly, you want to make sure the soil is still...

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...

Soil erosion is a natural process that occurs as a result of the effects of wind and water. When the soil is in an area around a building or a landscaped area, slowing or stopping the erosion can...

Desert landscaping can be a very attractive and alluring look to your home or garden. If you live in a dry desert city like Phoenix or Las Vegas, desert landscaping is encouraged in order to save...

Although concrete is regarded as a very durable material, homeowners with concrete driveways will inevitably face cracked or chipped concrete at some time. Inclement weather combined with the...

Decorative stone is an aesthetically pleasing way to landscape hard to control areas of your lawn. One of the more difficult parts of the job however is determining the amount of stone you will...

Brick patios have a lot of advantages--they're attractive and long-wearing, and they add value to your home and property. Properly maintained, a brick patio will provide years of trouble-free use....

Linear measurements, typically expressed in feet, can be converted to area measurements such as square feet. A linear measurement is obtained from a ruler, and an example would be the length of...

Patios extend the living area of the home to the outdoors. These areas provide an ideal space for entertaining, dining outdoors or simply enjoying nature. While a small budget for the project...

Changes in landscaping sometimes require growing grass in an area that was once covered with cement. Although sod can be planted in any but the coldest of seasons, the best time to lay sod is in...

Native plants are a wonderful design element in any landscape or garden. Native plants are generally easy to care for and often have a natural resistance to pests and climatic variations. Because...

Your landscaping project might call for rocks to add excitement and interesting colors to various areas of your yard or outdoor area. There are several strategies that you can use to decide how...

Don't think of the space underneath your second floor deck as a potential wasteland. Instead, use a few creative measures and turn the area into viable living or storage space. A plethora of...

Many factors will come into play when making the decisions involved with your underground pool and accessories. The decision to go with a concrete pool is the best option as it the easiest to...

The area under a deck is usually wasted space unless it is over a certain height and can be used for storage or another room. The area becomes a place for lost baseballs and tennis balls, animals...

The traditional German firewood stacking technique, which is also known as a holzhaufen, can hold a large amount of firewood in a small space. The technique is noted for its efficiency and...

having the area around your house lit is important. It can detour burglars from coming into your house and it can also help prevent accidents. If you have a outdoor lighting around your house you...

We all enjoy how our yards look after we've spent the whole day grooming everything from the flowerbeds to the driveway, but what should you do with the grass that inevitably grows between cracks...

For many homeowners, using sod to create an attractive green lawn almost overnight is a popular choice. Sodding a lawn is more expensive than seeding but it is faster and usually requires less...

No one likes a pest problem, yet when the weather turns colder and the critters need a place to live, our homes look like inviting hotels. When bats decide to nest in roofs, attics, barns and...

Owning a swimming pool can provide hours of warm-weather fun and entertainment. However, pool ownership also comes with a great deal of upkeep and sometimes even repair work. One of the most...

When it comes to swing sets, fun is the priority for children. For adults, the priority is ensuring that the swing set structure and the area around it are safe for use. Playground safety is not...

The kind of foundation you lay beneath your brick patio or walkway is important. The integrity of your project will depend upon how well you execute the surface leveling, and what kind of...

Many gardeners are choosing rubber mulch for landscaping flower beds and other growing areas. Rubber mulch is an affordable option and stays attractive for many years. Rubber mulch comes in a...

In-ground pool kits cut the cost of having a pool installed in your home by thousands of dollars. Installing a pool in your yard is much easier than you think. You can order your in-ground pool...

Bricks make wonderful pavers for a patio or walkway. Their durability and practical shape and size help them to be easily put into the landscape of a house.

Arranging natural stone outdoors for a patio or walkway is not an easy job, but it is well worth the effort. The look of natural stone provides a sophisticated look without the extensive...

Entertaining outdoors on a patio or by the pool is relaxing and enjoyable for many people. Adding an outdoor island kitchen to the space pushes the entertainment envelope to another level. Not...

Preformed ponds allow you to have the benefits of a backyard pond without spending large amounts of money on a professional installation. Unlike pond liners, preformed ponds have a smooth, fluid...

The variety in outside play areas is vast, but there are key elements that they all have in common: they are designed with fun, exercise and safety in mind. Having a backyard place for your...