Yard How To & DIY
Improve the value of your home by discovering our yard step-by-step tips & ideas.
Creating a Secret Garden
Colorful plantings, winding pathways, and plenty of green screens transform an urban lot that's exposed to passersby on three sides into a private oasis
How To Build a Fold-Down Murphy Bar
Upgrade your outdoor space with a fold-down Murphy bar. Our guide shows you how to build a space-saving bar that blends with your decor.
How to Build a Durable Backyard Retreat
Composite decking is a beautiful, high performance, and environmentally-friendly way to create the outdoor oasis you've always wanted
How To Care for Espaliered Trees
Learn how to plant and maintain espaliered trees and shrubs, an elegant small-space solution for any yard.
A Planning Guide for the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen
Use our expert guide to create a first-rate outdoor kitchen—whether you're dreaming of a simple food-prep station or a built-in BBQ island.
39 Budget-Wise Ways to Create Outdoor Rooms
Transform an ordinary outdoor space into an open-air living room that adds value and comfort to your home year-round
A Step by Step Guide to Having a Successful Yard Sale
If you're hosting a yard sale, plan ahead and prepare for a long day of sales. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind.
How To Fix a Flat Wheelbarrow Tire by Patching or Plugging
Don't let a flat wheelbarrow tire get in the way of your landscaping work. Learn how to patch or plug it up with This Old House's Roger Cook.
How to Reseed a Lawn
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to breathe new life into an old, tired lawn
What You Need to Know to Choose and Use Lawn Sprinklers
Maximize your lawn’s health by selecting the best sprinkler type and learning how to water efficiently. Read our guide to learn more.
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.
A Garden Shed That Doubles as a Gate
Using some salvaged materials and a design all his own, TOH reader David Campbell built a great-looking passthrough shed for gardening gear
How To Rejuvenate a Dying Lawn
Read advice from TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook on how to revive a half-dead lawn with this DIY guide.
Backyard Remodel: Living Large in a Small Yard
Have a small backyard but big dreams for it? Check out these seven strategies for turning a not-so-big yard into a beautiful escape.
A Step by Step Guide to Building a Garden Arbor Bench
A DIY garden arbor bench provides a cozy seating spot. Read this article for step-by-step instructions on how to build your own.
How to Deer-Proof Small Trees and Protect Your Plants
Are deer destroying your shrubbery and trees? Here are some ways you can deer-proof your plants year-round.
How To Collect Water With Rain Barrels
Our guide covers how to use rain barrels to collect water for non-potable and potable uses. Learn what you'll need and regulations to follow.
How to Get Rid of Weeds
Learn how to kill weeds in your lawn without killing your grass.
How to Build a Pipe Ball Lawn Game in 8 Simple Steps
Learn how to cut and connect drainpipe into a rack for a simple but challenging ball-toss lawn game—all in one afternoon.
How To Make a Kubb Game Set: A DIY Guide to Viking Chess
Read our step-by-step guide to build your own Kubb game set and enjoy this fun Viking chess game at your next outdoor event.
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.
How to Build a Shishkaball Ball-Drop Game
TOH's Team Saturday shows you how to entertain friends with a yard-size version of this ball-drop game, made from wire fencing and plant stakes.
How To Build a Ladder Golf Game Set in 7 Simple Steps
Learn how to build a Fun Ladder Golf game set for your guests with this detailed and easy-to-understand guide and video.
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 Build an Outdoor Bar Cart: A Step by Step Guide
Learn how to build an outdoor bar cart and wheel out this dedicated serving station to offer guests cocktails and brews.
20 Ways to Keep Deer Out of Your Yard
Here are 20 safe and effective ways to prevent deer from damaging your yard and eating the plants in your garden.
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.
Your Guide to a Perfect Birdhouse that Attracts Birds
Looking to bring more nesting birds to your yard? Here are some simple ways to provide an attractive, safe space for birds to flock to.
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 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.