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.
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…
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…
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…
GARDENING: Five Tillage Tools & Techniques That Really Work
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, shows you how to get the most tillage garden work done with the least amount…
PASTURING: See Water Troughs & Special Hose in Action
Click below for a video tour of the way we deliver water to our grass-fed cattle on pasture. Drinking water-safe…
OUTDOOR LIVING: Non-Spray, Homeopathic Way To Stop Bugs From Biting
Conventional Bug Options My earliest memories of mosquitos, black flies and biting insects goes back to May 1970 and my…
TILE DRAINING FARMLAND: Watch & See How We Improved 27 Acres at Our Place
Crops need water, but too much water in the soil is bad. That’s because excess water restricts plant growth and…
KITCHEN GARDEN: How We Dry Herbs at Home
It’s herb harvest time on Manitoulin Island! Watch how homestead wife Mary harvests, bundles and dries this year’s herb bounty.
VIDEO PASTURE TOUR: See a Closeup View of What Our Cattle Eat
From a distance, pasture just looks like a green field, but there’s more going on than meets the eye on…
Flagpole Maintenance: Tips for Longevity and Performance
A flagpole is more than just a pole in the ground. It’s a statement. A symbol of pride. And, often,…
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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.