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.
RESTORATION: See How I Breathed New Life Into My First Building Project
In 1986 I was living in a 7′ x 9′ tent on my newly-purchased, very rural Manitoulin Island property. With…
FABRIC STRUCTURE PROJECT: See Steel Leg Installation Process
Watch the latest in my video series on building a 42×80-foot Calhoun fabric structure. See all the videos in the…
BACKYARD CHICKENS: Raising Leghorn Chicks For Eggs
Watch the transformation of day-old Leghorn chicks into full-fledged free-range laying hens. Besides being cute, there are key things you…
RESPONSIBLE FORESTRY: Good “Certified” Wood Without the Guilt
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, advocates promoting sustainable forestry through purchasing wood lumber that uses certified harvesting practices.
CONSTRUCTION: Pole Barn Building Visual Guide & Instructions
If you need to add shelter to your property easily and economically, pole barns may be for you. They’re one…
INTERESTING: Meet a Mural Painter Who Makes Buildings Better
Have you ever noticed how outdoor art can make a neighbourhood so much better? This article is about a remarkable outdoor…
VEHICLES: Repair or Replace? Here’s How I Decide
How do you decide whether to repair or replace your vehicle? Listen in as I explain an unusual approach that…
PLUMBING: Simple Valve Extends WELL Pump Life & Improves Pressure Consistency
Does your house have a water pump for delivering household water? Take a look at Steve’s review of a simple…
Transform Your Outdoor Space with These Simple Steps
Imagine sipping your morning coffee, surrounded by the beauty of a perfectly designed outdoor space with outdoor benches and seats…
BUILD A BOOMERANG: Download Free Plans & Instructions
Homemade boomerangs are the kind of toy that adds a lot of extra fun to an afternoon, both in the…
AUTOMOTIVE: Everything You Need to Change Tires DIY
Watch this detailed video tutorial explaining everything about changing tires seasonally. There are good reasons to do this work yourself,…
FIREWOOD: Watch Three Videos to See How We Make It
Every year since 1989 I’ve prepared firewood to heat our rural Manitoulin Island, Canada home, and over the years I’ve settled…
TOOLS: Swedish Company Makes Axes Like They Used To
There’s an allure to handmade tools for Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man. Here he talks about axes, specifically Gransfors Bruks…
WOODWORKING: Mill Your Own Short Lumber the Simple Way
It’s easy to look past the obvious fact that lumber comes from logs, but once you start thinking this way,…
AUTOMOTIVE: Three Secrets for Great Driveway Autobody Work
If you’re interested in reducing the cost of owning a vehicle, then learning to do basic paint repairs and autobody…
OUTDOORS: Join Us as We Make Home Heating Fuel from Dead Trees
Join us on a tiring but productive family work bee as we turn some dead elm trees into valuable home…
WILDLIFE: Rescuing a Rare Blandings Turtle
Click to see why I think these are the best rubber boots in the world, watch an unboxing video of…
FARMING: See A Little Pasture Management Trick in Action
Over the last few years I’ve been increasing the productivity of the cattle pastures on our Manitoulin Island homestead, and…
RURAL LIVING: Water Well Drilling With Nice Surprise Near the End
If you’ve never had a water well drilled, you don’t know the combination of hope and fear involved. Hope because…
EASY-KEEPER COTTAGE: Don’t Build Or Renovate To Make Work For Yourself
Thousands of people who own beautiful lakeside cottages will tell you that owning the place is fun, but a ton…
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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.