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.
Understanding the Basics of Lawn and Garden Fertilizers
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains in detail the science behind proper fertilization to achieve a lush green yard.
FABRIC STRUCTURES: Tips for Choosing the right model for you
In this detailed screencast video, I share what I’ve learned researching and choosing a fabric structure made a company called Calhoun that provides…
HOW TO USE A WOOD SPLITTER: Learn to safely Run this effective piece of equipment
In this week’s video episode, learn how a hydraulic wood splitter works; see safe methods for using a wood splitter…
GARDEN GATEWAY: download Plans for Building a Great Pergola
I’ve learned a few lessons over the last 30+ years, not the least of which is how fast 30 years…
Lawn Care 101: Simple Steps for a Greener Yard
A lush, green lawn is the pride of any homeowner, enhancing curb appeal and providing a beautiful outdoor space for…
Types of Axes Every Woodworker Should Own
Woodworking is an art that requires precision, control, and a variety of tools. Among the tools needed in this field,…
FIREWOOD CUTTING TABLE: A video Tour
Watch my video tour of a simple log table I built to handle extra-large blocks of firewood that are too…
HOW TO CUT A TREE WITH A CHAINSAW: The Dos And Don’ts Of Working Safely
Among all do-it-yourself projects, felling trees is one of the most dangerous. Although you’re the one who has to take…
“How can I protect tools against rust?”
Video Watch Time = 7 minutes Question: My husband and I store power tools, hand tools and garden…
COMPOSITE VS WOOD: Understanding these deck building options
If you’re building a deck or renovating an older one, I’ve got some thoughts to share when it comes to…
BACKYARD CHICKEN HOUSE: Download Free Building Plans
Want plans for building the portable chicken house you see below? You’ll find a download link further along in the…
STONEWORKING: Breaking a Big Rock With Old Tools & New Ones
Watch as my son, Robert, and I split a piece of limestone that’s way too big for a mini excavator…
BETTER FENCES: Best practices for Building well
In at least one way, wooden residential fences are like most other home improvement projects. The more you put into…
BIG FABRIC STRUCTURE: Watch the Unloading of my 12,000 lbs Project
When I needed more covered storage space on my rural property, I decided to put up a fabric structure. I…
Top Tips to Improve Drainage in Your Garden
The presence of moisture is among the features of a healthy landscape. However, too much water can cause waterlogging and…
BETTER TRACTION ON ICE: I Finally Found Something I Like Putting on My Walkway & Steps
I get plenty of winter ice where I live, but I’ve always opted to put nothing on sidewalks and steps…
FASTENERS FOR DECKS: Watch a Video Tour of the Nuts & Bolts That Are Up To The Job
If you’re building a deck you should aim to make it last at least several decades. In fact, there’s no…
Watch a Foundation Being Filled And Levelled
Watch the latest in my video series on the 42×80-foot Calhoun Superstructure I’m putting up at my place. The inner…
LESSONS FROM STONE: What Anyone Can Learn From a Nearly-Lost Trade
On July 1, 1987, my wife and I began building in a way I’d never seen anyone else do in…
“How Can I Cast My Own Concrete Outdoor Steps?”
This is the corner of a plywood form I built to make the lintels you see above the windows in…
PLANS DOWNLOAD: Backyard Your Own Portable Backyard Chicken Coop
There’s nothing quite like fresh eggs from your own hens, and this backyard chicken coop lets you make that happen…
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This is where you’ll find lots of information for hands-on success outside. Gardening, farming, vehicle maintenance and repair, outdoor structures and more.