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.
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…
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?”
Cast My Own Concrete Outdoor Steps This is the corner of a plywood form I built to make the lintels…
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…
WINTER HAND PUMP: See How Outdoor Well Pump Resists Freezing
For people living in the country, getting water usually involves electricity, a pump, tank and a bunch of fittings. Lose electricity…
INSIDE THE BOX: Benefits, beauty & tricks of outdoor gardening with pots, planters & hanging baskets
There’s more to gardening than digging a hole in the ground and planting something. Pots, planters and hanging baskets add…
USING ROUND FIREWOOD PILES: How to Get Wood Out As You Use Wood
A subscriber asks . . . “What’s the best way to get wood out of the round firewood piles you’ve…
Tired of Looking at Your Metal Garage? Update It With a Coat of Paint
Some things just don’t seem to belong together in a sentence. Curb appeal and metal garages can be an example…
How Property Lines Apps Have Changed the Way We Map Land
Over the years, technological progress has reshaped a range of industries, including the field of land mapping and surveying. Property…
How to Grow Gorgeous Flowers and Create Stunning DIY Floral Arrangements for Your Home
The Timeless Charm of Fresh-Cut Flowers Nothing says “home” quite like a fresh bouquet of hand-picked flowers. Growing your own…
Seven Questions to Ask Yourself When Setting Up an Outdoor Kitchen
An enjoyable project that can improve your home’s aesthetics and livability is building an outdoor kitchen. Whether you have a…
OUTDOOR GRILL REVIEW: See How a Napoleon Travel Grill Works After 6 Months Use
For the last eighteen months I’ve been using a portable travel grill for barbecues and I’m impressed with this model…
A 6-Item Checklist for Building Your Dream Greenhouse
Are you dreaming of fresh veggies year-round or a cozy spot for your plants to thrive? Well, building your own…
The Most Important Horse Structures You Need for a Safe Environment
Horses are magnificent animals that can make wonderful companions. Horse raising is a challenging feat, however. Not only do they…
Easy Landscaping Ideas for Cooler Climates to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Are you wandering around your neighborhood admiring everyone’s landscaping? You want to do something with your yard but the cooler…
Concrete Foundation Pour for Fabric Structure
The latest in my video series about a 42×80-foot Calhoun fabric shelter I’m putting up. This video covers one 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.