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.
YARD & GARDEN: How Poor Soil Conditions Can Sabotage Your Driveway from Below
Your driveway’s biggest enemy is not the weather or heavy traffic – it is what lies beneath the surface. While…
RURAL WATER SYSTEMS: Watch Us Install a Deep Well Hand Pump
There’s something special about getting your water from a hand pump. Somehow water tastes a little bit better when it…
VEHICLES: How I got My Pickup Truck to Last 35 Years and Counting
Some people manage their vehicles like tubes of caulking – use them up and throw them away. Not me. I…
PRESSURE WASHERS: Eight Most Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Pressure washing is a popular home maintenance activity because it cleans brick, siding, decks and machinery thoroughly and in record…
STONEWORKING: Splitting A Monster Rock With Plug-and-Feather Wedges
When a huge stone was uncovered while excavating for an addition my son Robert is building, we got out our…
BACKYARDS: The Environmental Benefits of Adding Shade Structures to Your Home
If you’re considering getting an awning, pergola, or maybe one of those cool canopies for your backyard there’s one more…
EXTENDING CHAINSAW LIFE: Watch & Learn the Tips That Kept This Saw Going for 30+ Years
Want your chainsaw to last a long, long time? Watch my video tutorial above, along with my 30+ year-old chainsaw…
PASTURE MANAGEMENT: Add Seed to Salt Trough to Improve Pasture Quality
We’ve been pasturing beef cattle here on our Manitoulin Island, Canada property since 1987, and I’ve learned that the best…
AUTOMOTIVE DIY: Three Tricks for Amazing Driveway Autobody Work
If you’re interested in reducing the cost of owning a vehicle, then learning to do basic paint repairs and autobody…
YARD WORK: Pole Saws Make Sense for Economical DIY Tree Maintenance
Every so often a new kind of power tool begins to become mainstream, but it can take a while for…
PORTABLE GENERATORS: Features to Look for As You Select for Camping & Outdoor Living
Do you have outdoor work or recreation planned for this summer? I’ve got some information about portable generators that you’ll…
Cost Comparison: Renting vs. Buying a Sauna – What’s Best for Your Home?
There’s something undeniably satisfying about stepping into a sauna after a long day. Whether it’s to soothe sore muscles, unwind…
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…
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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.