Over the last few years I’ve been increasing the productivity of the cattle pastures on our Manitoulin Island homestead, and a big part of this is rotational grazing. By restricting cattle to relatively small areas of the pasture for a […]

Each spring since 1987  I’ve maintained a nearly forgotten part of Canadian heritage that’s still a working feature of the rural landscape where I live on Manitoulin Island. Nestled along the shore of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada, you’ll find […]

When it comes to keeping chickens, I’m always surprised at how many people want to do it. Even though eggs are cheap and plentiful, there’s something about keeping chickens that remains attractive. Actually, it’s getting more attractive all the time. […]

Q: How should I build the first small building on my 15 acre country property? I don’t have a lot of experience, but I’m thinking of completing a stackwall and timber frame structure measuring 16×24 feet this summer, then something […]

See how Steve and friends raise boutique beef on Manitoulin Island for people who want more than just ordinary food.

Trickle irrigation is a better way to water gardens in at least two ways. Trouble is, there are many ways to do trickle irrigation badly. Let Steve show you a system that’s been working perfectly since 1992.

Did you ever have trouble with zoning bylaws when you built the tiny house you’ve written about? I want to follow your plans, but the 550 square foot floor size is smaller than the 800 square foot minimum I hear about where I live. What should I do? Read on for Steve’s advice to this reader.

I  love wood, but even I have to admit that there is such a thing as too much wood in a house. That’s where paint can help, especially when it comes to kitchen cabinets. Prepare that old, brown varnished surface […]

There’s more to gardening than digging a hole in the ground and planting something. Pots, planters and hanging baskets add a lot to gardening results. Check out how Mary and I do container gardening at our place on Manitoulin Island.

Canadian governments and utilities across all provinces offer financial help for homeowners, business owners and industry to increase energy efficiency. The challenge is finding the details. It’s not that easy to see what’s available where you live, when the programs […]

If you haven’t been to an old church for a while, you might consider going at least for the view. There’s a lot more painting skill behind traditional churches than you might realize, and it’s definitely worth looking at.  Alex […]

Cordless drills are great, but it’s not always obvious how to buy one well. Watch Steve tell you everything you need to know on this video.

“You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone”, may just be a line from an old Joni Mitchell song, but it also describes our relationship with electricity. Heat, light, the ability to cook, compute, communicate and even enjoy flowing […]

Listen in as Steve answers a reader’s question on whether outside air piped into a furnace will stop window condensation in winter, then shares his top strategy for improving indoor air quality.

How should I prepare dirty, interior wood stairs for finishing? I’m remodelling my parents’ home and part of the work involves finishing a staircase that was left bare and unprotected after it was built 10 years ago. Read on for Steve’s advice.

As necessary as government and bureaucracy are, there’s a flaw at the heart of both. The ruling classes continually spread outwards, demanding more time, money and attention from those of us who are governed. This is a problem for every country […]

Steve Maxwell reviews 3M’s Pro-Grade abrasives and explains why it is important to sand your wood surfaces before painting or staining for the best end results.

Looking to take your home construction projects away from cookie cutter? Including livable attics in your building plans improves the feel-good quality and adds a unique feature to your building projects.

Steve explains the differences between the new Milwaukee FUEL M18 Cordless Hammer Drill/driver and the older M18.

Use these outdoor wood prepping tips to showcase your outdoor projects to their best advantage. Sanding your outdoor wood before painting ensures that the thirsty wood soaks up all that stain or colour.

Make your outdoor painting projects look as professional as your indoor ones with ScotchBlue Exterior Painters tape. Made of thin, flexible plastic it will confirm to all those edges and curves with ease.

More than one old-timer I know tells how new carpenters used to be judged on the job by their ability to build a sawhorse. If they could deal successfully with the required angles and joints of a sawhorse, creating something solid and […]

Gluing boards edge-to-edge to make wider pieces is an essential woodworking skill. Learn these three tips for getting this job done right.

Dowel joints are one of the easiest, strongest and more versatile way to connect wood parts. Read Steve’s quick-start guide on how to succeed with dowel joints

It’s easy to look past the obvious fact that lumber comes from logs, but once you start thinking this way, interesting things can happen.  It’s surprisingly easy to mill short, small logs into furniture-grade boards, right in your own workshop, […]

All good things eventually come to an end. That said, the right attitude towards woodworking offers a unique chance to extend ourselves a little beyond the usual limits of life. That’s because building beautiful things isn’t just about making something […]

Wood isn’t the only material you can plane, rout, mill and join to create refined workshop projects.  Composite deck lumber can also be used for fine “woodworking”, despite the fact that it’s designed for outdoor use supporting deck chairs, barbecues and people relaxing. Even though I’ve worked with composites for more than ten years – including the construction of simple outdoor furniture – I didn’t realize the full potential of composites until I was asked to tackle an unusual project.

Got some interior wood to finish? Read Steve’s four steps to success and you’ll have a pretty good shot at getting a really smooth, professional-grade results.