Outdoors
This is where you’ll find lots of information for hands-on success outside. Gardening, farming, vehicle maintenance and repair, outdoor structures and more.
Review the entire Archive of Outdoors Articles here, or do a more in-depth search to find what you’re looking for.
BUILD A SWIMMING RAFT: Download FREE Plans, Materials List, Instructions & Video
Detailed plans, materials list, instructions and video right here. Summer will come again. Be ready with a swim platform.
EQUIPMENT: Why I Choose Old Versus New Tractors & Outdoor Machinery
In this week’s video episode . . . see a cost comparison between an old tractor and a purchased-new snowblower,…
OUTDOORS: Join Us for a Swedish Log Homestead Cookout
Have you ever heard of a “Swedish log”? It’s one of the most interesting and simple ways to cook outdoors…
Garage Door Care: When to DIY and When To Call the Pros
Your garage door is one of the hardest-working things in your home. Opening and closing, up and down dozens of…
WHEELCHAIR RAMP PLANS: How to Build a Good One for Your Home or Business
A wheelchair ramp is one of the single most important feature you can build into any home where people with…
FLAT TIRE FIX: Don’t Forget Grandpa’s Advice About Valve Leaks
A few years ago I got busy fixing a flat tire on my lawn tractor on a Saturday, and the…
OFF-GRID POWER: “What Equipment Do I Need to Sell Electricity Into the System?”
Have you ever thought of selling your own off-grid electricity back to the grid? This article is my answer a…
How to Prep Your Soil for a Productive Garden: A DIYer’s Guide to Groundwork
It’s easy to get swept up in seed catalogs, raised bed plans, and perfect plant combinations. But even the most…
WISDOM & KINDNESS: Lessons I Learned From Grandpa
One thing about being a child is that regardless of your situation, you always regard it as normal – at…
FARMING: Pasture Plants Thrive in Deep Quarry Waste???
Nutritious pasture plants such as alfalfa, clover and birdsfoot trefoil aren’t all that easy to grow. I know because I’ve…
AUTOMOTIVE: 3 Reasons I Change My Own Motor Oil
Recently, the people at Mobil 1 asked if I’d be interested in partnering with them to make a how-to video…
DECK BUILDING & FINISHING: Learn How to Do So Much Better Than Average
If you’re planning to build a new backyard deck this year (or refurbish an old one with a good frame…
GARDEN TOUR: Visit Our Manitoulin Island Garden By Video
Watch a 5 minute video of Steve’s Manitoulin Island garden. It’s June now, and there’s lots to see and hear…
CLOSING UP THE COTTAGE: Real-World Tricks That Make The Job Easier
If you own a summer cottage, you know there’s always a lot to do when closing up for the winter…
ECONOMICAL HEATING: A Tour of My Outdoor Wood Boiler
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, outlines the benefits of an outdoor wood furnace as an alternative heating option thats energy…
OUTDOOR WOOD FINISH: Watch a New Version of an Old Favourite in Action
Click below to watch me apply a new, coloured version of a favourite outdoor wood finish of mine. It’s called Ecowood…
GARDENING: Enjoy the Benefits & Beauty Of Planting In Pots & Baskets
Take an educational tour of container gardening in pots and hanging baskets as Steve Maxwell and his wife Mary do…
Boosting Home Value Through Property Maintenance in HOA Communities
Want to keep your home’s value strong? Start with maintenance. In Home Owner Association (HOA) communities, keeping up with your…
AUTOMOTIVE: Maintenance Tips to Make Your Car Last Longer
Keeping your car in good condition is vital if you want it to last as long as possible. By following…
LAYING OUT A BUILDING: How To Do It The Fast, Accurate, Reliable Way
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, helps homeowners understand the importance of building straight, true, level homes.
WORKSHOP: How to Revive Old Hardware & Tools
Question: What’s the best way to clean rust and dirt off of an old door lock? It’s seized and the…
Search Outdoors Articles
This is where you’ll find lots of information for hands-on success outside. Gardening, farming, vehicle maintenance and repair, outdoor structures and more.