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.
Simple Swaps: Upgrade Your Patio With These Five Transformation Details
Upgrading your patio does not require a complete overhaul or an exorbitant budget. Instead, with some stylish adjustments you can…
RETAINING WALLS: 5 Keys to a Better Built Retaining Wall Renovation
Is building a retaining wall on your list of home renovation must-dos? Steve Maxwell lays out the main secrets behind…
Transform Your Outdoor Space with These Simple Steps
Imagine sipping your morning coffee, surrounded by the beauty of a perfectly designed outdoor space. Tempting, right? Now imagine yourself…
Three Real-World Gardening Tricks
My wife, Mary, and I have been gardening together on our rural property for 30+ years, and whenever you’re at…
DIY Deck Projects: Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Dream Outdoor Space
Modern homes are so much better with expansive outdoor spaces for barbeques, family parties, relaxing, and unwinding. While you can…
How to Build a Natural Herbal Medicine Garden at Home
Medicinal plants have been integral to human health for centuries, tracing back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and China. Even…
4 Steps to Start Your Home Vegetable Garden for a Healthier Diet
With rising food costs and increasing concerns about pesticide use, growing your own vegetables isn’t just going to be a…
Metal Buildings in Agriculture: A Statistical Overview of Usage and Benefits
Metal buildings have taken a prominent role in the agricultural landscape, serving a multitude of purposes from equipment storage to…
HOW TO SAW & STACK FIREWOOD: Watch Three Videos to See How We Do It
This is where we saw, split and stack firewood on our Manitoulin Island, Canada homestead. Five or six days with…
HOW TO PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL PERFECTIONISM: Too Much “Sustainability” Isn’t Sustainable
Do you feel guilty about the environmental impact of your life? Are you having trouble reconciling your ideals for sustainability…
Eco-Friendly Maintenance Tips for Outdoor Sporting Facilities
Operating an outdoor sporting facility involves much more than just managing schedules and equipment. It requires a thoughtful approach to…
Checklist: What to Consider When Buying a GNSS Receiver
GNSS stands for global navigation satellite system, and broadly speaking it’s the technology that allows global positioning with cell phones,…
How to Cut Firewood: Join Us as We Make Home Heating Fuel from Dead Trees
Join us on a family work bee as we turn some dead elm trees into valuable home heating fuel.
GOT A WATER WELL? Simple Valve Extends Pump Life & Improves Water Pressure Consistency
Does your house have a water pump for delivering household water? Take a look at Steve’s review of a simple…
Moments in Time Pt. 2: Working on Equipment, Drainage Tiles Running, Visiting a Dog Grave Stone, Harrowing Pastures and More
Join me for some quick snippets of rural life here on Manitoulin Island, Canada. Click below for a “look over the…
Do You Need Planning Permission To Build A Retaining Wall In Australia?
Are you considering building a retaining wall and want to know if planning permission is needed? Perhaps you have heard…
6 Outdoor Projects You Can Do Yourself in Newmanstown, PA
You’ve just moved into your new home in Newmanstown, Pennsylvania. You saved up for the down payment for years and…
VIDEO DIARY: Getting Those Tractor Tire Chains On
Two-wheel drive tractors need traction help in the winter, and that’s what tire chains are for. Join me for an improptu…
BUILD A HOOP HOUSE: Download Free Plans For Extending Your Growing Season
Build your own hoop house with these easy to follow instructions and guidelines. Extend your growing season and make your…
OUTDOOR PLAYSETS: Tips & Plans for Building Your Own
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, talks to homeowners about how to build a safe and fun wooden play area for…
HEATING WITH FIREWOOD: Three Reasons It Makes Sense
According to Steve Maxwell wood heating makes sense on several levels; cost savings, cleanliness of combustion and the aesthetics of…
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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.