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Landscaping & Outdoor Building

Upgrade any yard with eHow’s tips on landscaping and outdoor building projects. Learn how to install a deck, put in a pool, paint a fence or even pave a walkway. Got a green thumb? Get tips on planting trees, shrubs and flower beds. Deck repair on your weekend docket? Find advice on pressure washing, replacing damaged boards and staining a deck. If you’d rather leave your project to a pro, eHow has tips on choosing a landscape architect, too.

Categories in Landscaping & Outdoor Building

Articles in Landscaping & Outdoor Building

How to Buy Nails and Screws for a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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When you build a deck, it will last for years. It's important to buy the right kind of nails and screws for a deck so they will last for years, too. Cheaper isn't always the way to go, as nails can rust or pop up and screws can break. Here are ... more »

How to Care for Outdoor Plants

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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You've made your visit to the nursery and bought luscious plants that beautifully landscape your yard. You spent a whole day planting them. Then you spent the next day admiring them and now you're trying to figure out how to take care of them! ... more »

How to Care for Topiaries

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Topiary is the art of shaping plants, by careful pruning, into fanciful shapes or forms. Topiary plants are usually grown in containers and require constant shaping. Here is a simple guide for topiary care... more »

How to Change to a Saltwater Pool

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Love your backyard swimming pool but hate the idea of using all those chemicals to keep it clean and algae free? You'll be happy to hear that you now have an environmentally safe alternative to all those chemicals–—plain old salt. That's right, ... more »

How to Choose a Natural Insect Repellent

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Natural insect repellents often seem like a good idea. DEET-based insect repellents carry a number of warnings, particularly about use with children. But do you know how to choose a natural insect repellent?.. more »

How to Choose Fencing Material

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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When putting up a fence, there are several things to consider - and your taste in aesthetics is just one of them. One of the most important things to determine is which material is best for your purpose... more »

How to Choose Outdoor Solar Powered Lights

By Lisa Smegal

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Outdoor solar powered lights are becoming a regular addition to many peoples yards and homes. Solar powered lights add a unique ambiance to your yard in the evenings, make great decorations and can be quite practical as well, adding light to ... more »

How to Choose Paving Stones

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Most people are familiar with paving bricks, but there are other options worth checking out. Paving stones may provide just the right look for your home improvement project... more »

How to Clean a Cedar Fence

By Jennifer K

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Is your cedar fence ugly and gray? When a cedar fence is exposed to the elements, it can quickly turn gray and ruin the look of your yard. Use these tips to remove the gray and restore the beautiful look of cedar. Make sure you seal your fence ... more »

How to Clean a Trex Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

3 comments

Trex is a popular brand of durable wood-plastic composite material lumber made of recycled plastic and wood wastes used for decking and landscaping. Trex deck does not require specific stains or sealants for protection, but should be cleaned on a ... more »

How to Clean and Care for Marble

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

5 comments

Marble isn't as tough as you may think; it's a comparatively soft stone that is easily scratched and marred. Chances are you paid a lot for it, so keep it clean and take good care of it. To keep your marble looking new follow the advice in the ... more »

How to Clean Swimming Pool Water

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

3 comments

Let's face it--the only thing essential about a swimming pool is that the water be fresh and clean. Let's face something else, too: Achieving this can involve more chemistry than you may have seen since junior year in high school--if then. Don't ... more »

How to Clean Teak Furniture

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Teak is one of the most durable hardwoods for outdoor furniture. Left alone, it will weather to a beautiful silvery gray color over time. But you may want to periodically treat or clean your teak furniture to get rid of dirt build-up and the ... more »

How to Create a Tree of Adornment

By Ryn Gargulinski

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You don’t have to wait for a tree to bloom or even get its leaves back after winter to make it your yard’s centerpiece. It’s fun and easy to create a tree of adornment, one that is glorious to gaze at all year round. All you need is some ... more »

How to Create Decorative Stepping Stones

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Create unique decorations for your garden that are fun to make and beautiful to behold! Accent your garden with decorative stepping stones that neighbors are sure to envy. Using a different materials and techniques, you can design a variety of ... more »

How to Decide on a Location for Your Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Decks are remarkably versatile, fitting in well anywhere along a house - front or back - even sitting by themselves in a corner of a yard. While placing a deck off a kitchen or living room is often ideal, it's not necessary to limit its location ... more »

How to Decorate Concrete With Rocks

By Tom Morgan

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Installing concrete can be a long-lasting and maintenance-free way to accent any outdoor area, but it doesn't have to just be a sea of gray. Rocks, stones and pebbles can be arranged in beautiful designs, and strategically-placed lines and ... more »

How to Design a Dry Garden

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A funny thing happens to gardeners that explore the possibilities of a dry garden: They fall in love. And it's no wonder. Dry garden plants are exciting, a tad unpredictable and incredibly diverse. Given their bold color and textures, you can use ... more »

How to Design a Pocket Garden

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Explore the world of the small with a garden that fits between the stepping-stones, spills from between the cracks in your garden wall or nestles into exposed tree roots. Turn a narrow path that goes nowhere into a garden destination: Design a ... more »

How to Design a Shade Garden

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Use a combination of shrubs, perennials and bulbs to bring color and texture to shady spots in your garden. Put in a bench and enjoy the cool patch when everywhere else is too hot to bear... more »

How to Design a Water Feature

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A garden pond or fountain needn't be a grand affair. It's the sight and sound of water that counts. A large pond filled with fish and plants is impressive, but a simple bowl with gently moving water may be more appropriate for your garden. ... more »

How to Encourage Wildlife in the City

By Beren deMotier

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You love animals and wildlife, but you live in one of the thousands of cities filling the nation and taking up the natural habitat of the native four-legged and flying creatures. Don’t despair; take action. With the help of animal lovers like ... more »

How to get leaves out of my pool easily.

By Aquanet

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Many times we have heard the complaint that it takes too long to scoop out the leaves from the pool. Upon investigation, we find that the pool owner is using a Leaf Skimmer to scoop out the leaves. No wonder it takes the pool owner so long! There ... more »

How to Get Rid Of Moles And Voles In Your Yard

By wendyr

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Seeing tunnels and trails all over your yard after the snow melts can be disappointing, especially when you had a nice looking yard in the fall. This damage is likely caused by moles and/or voles. Here are some low cost and effective ways to ... more »

How to Give a Patio a Cheap Face-Lift

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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It's time to spruce up that patio with a cheap face-lift. The patio should be a place to sit back and relax, while enjoying the great outdoors. A cheap face-lift will keep money in your piggy bank and, with just a few tips, make your patio much ... more »