Landscaping How To & DIY
Improve the value of your home by discovering our landscaping step-by-step tips & ideas.
How to Lay Sod
Creating a lush, new lawn with This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook
How To Edge a Garden Bed
Watch this video to learn how to create a natural edge on your garden bed with This Old House landscape expert Roger Cook.
How To Remove a Dangerous Tree
Watch our video and read this guide to learn how This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and arborist Matt Foti remove a decayed tree.
How to Install Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting
Light up your yard with help from This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and Mark Piantedosi.
How To Take Down a Dead Tree
Dead trees can endanger your safety and property. Learn how to safely remove dead trees—and care for your healthy ones—in this guide.
A Guide to Sump Pump Dry Well Installation and Maintenance
Learn how to install a dry well to collect discharge water from a basement sump pump with this detailed guide and video.
Fall Landscaping Checklist for DIYers
Fall is the ideal time to prep your yard and garden for spring. Follow our DIY fall landscaping checklist with expert tips from Roger Cook.
How to Get Rid of Weeds
Learn how to kill weeds in your lawn without killing your grass.
Planting a Privacy Hedge for Your Home: Benefits and Guide
In this guide, we walk you though how to plant a hedge to increase privacy, reduce noise, and add aesthetic value to your property.
13 Evergreen Privacy Shrubs That Also Reduce Noise Pollution
A line of evergreen trees or shrubs can provide year-round seclusion even better than a fence. Here are some of the best and fastest-growing evergreens to consider planting in your yard.
How to Plant a Small Tree
Boost your curb appeal with a handsome addition to your landscape
Step by Step Guide to Building a Timber Retaining Wall
This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows how to construct a wood-timber retaining wall to create a play area.
How to Prune a Tree
An arborist's rules on how to shape up a small ornamental tree to make it more attractive and healthy
How to Winterize Shrubs
Heavy snow and other cold-weather hazards can wreak havoc on yard plantings. Here's how to protect your shrubs in winter so that they make it to spring damage-free
How To Plant a Mature Tree
Landscaping contractor Roger Cook shares his secrets for planting a large tree, including how to prepare the hole and ongoing care.
How To Build a Diamond-Patterned Twig Trellis
Trellises made from twigs look at home in any backyard. Here's how to build a diamond-pattern twig trellis for peas, peonies, and more.
The Ultimate Guide To Creating and Maintaining a Perfect Lawn
In this guide, we provide expert tips on the fundamentals of growing a lawn: how to plant grass, when to mow, how much to water it, and more.
How To Build a Concrete Sitting Wall With Simple to Follow Steps
Learn how to make a concrete garden border that does double duty as extra backyard seating, with tips from This Old House's Mark Powers.
How to Transplant a Small Tree
Need to do some landscaping? Learn how to move a small tree safely out of harm's way
How to Remove a Boulder
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shares his secrets for busting up big boulders
Fixes for Rain-barrel Snafus
Though they're easy to use, it's just as easy to overlook simple tasks that keep rainwater barrels shipshape
How To Build a Branch Trellis in a Pot
Learn how to build a simple and stylish branch trellis in a pot, perfect for supporting climbing plants and adding charm to your garden.
How to Winterize Yard Tools
Your outdoor power tools will benefit from some upkeep before they hibernate for the long winter ahead.
Digging Dos and Don'ts
Shoveling can be backbreaking labor. To avoid undue injury to yourself or the shovel, follow these helpful guidelines for digging.
How to Turn a Salvaged Urn Into a Garden Fountain
Breathe new life into a salvaged urn by creating this easy water feature in 5 quick steps
How to Build a Pergola in Your Yard
It only takes a few weekends to build a pergola.
How To Repair a Drip Irrigation System and Maximize its Efficiency
In this how-to video and guide, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook fixes a severed irrigation line.
How to Properly Plant a Tree
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows the proper way to plant a tree
How to Prune a Fruit Tree in 6 Simple to Follow Steps
Pruning a fruit tree can lead to better fruit production and improve air circulation. Read how to correctly prune a fruit tree in our step-by-step guide.
How to Test Soil Using a Kit
In this how-to video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook discusses the benefits of testing soil.
How To Plant a Shrub
Landscaper Roger Cook shows us how to plant a shrub properly to ensure it thrives long-term. Learn the steps and maintenance tips.
How To Plant Ground Cover and Troubleshoot Common Issues
Ground cover can control erosion on the slopes of your outdoor space and add visual interest to your landscape. Learn how to plant low-maintenance alternatives to traditional lawns in our step-by-step guide.