Yard Videos

Stormwater runoff can be hard to manage with gutters and downspouts alone. And a saturated, soggy yard that soaks the foundation is not a good time. When a homeowner called Ask This Old House for help, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada knew just what to do. Together, they install two gutter runoff control options that will easily control these water challenges and divert water from the foundation.

Tom Silva and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada talk about bats and how beneficial they are. Then, the team builds a bat house.

Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada first takes us on a trip to learn more about watersheds before meeting Nathan Gilbert to tackle a rain barrel installation.

This guide and video explains how to build a mud kitchen for your kids to enjoy and improve your outdoor space for your family.

Do you have a yard on a slope? Learn how to landscape a sloping yard with our video and guide from expert landscapers.

Host Kevin O’Connor and contractor Tom Silva install Brookside Elementary School’s new little free library with the help of some students.

An outdoor pizza oven is fun for the whole family — until it's damaged. Here's how to repair a brick-and-stone pizza oven.

Bring shade and style to any backyard with a pergola kit. Here’s how to assemble it.

A stone birdbath can add a touch of elegance and wildlife to your outdoor space. Find out how to build one here.

House One editor and DIY expert Jenn Largesse takes her backyard project to new heights with a container pool installation.

Follow along as DIY expert Jenn Largesse shares how you can build a functional garden hose box out of cedar. with a built-in reel.

General contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of woodworking siblings build a DIY birdhouse in their new workshop.

Learn all you need to know about building a backyard ice skating rink from This Old House experts Jenn Nawada and Nathan Gilbert.

Are you having trouble managing stormwater? Dry wells can be a great solution. Here's everything you need to know about them.

Want to spruce up your backyard? This Old House expert mason Mark McCullough shows us how to build a firepit with a kit and some simple tools.

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada discusses the common elements she includes in outdoor kitchen designs.

Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada helps a homeowner replace and improve foundation plantings that have been crushed by snow piles

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada shares DIY Smarts tips when she travels to Orlando to upgrade an irrigation system.

Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada partners with a Wyoming ecologist to learn about different types of prairie grasses.

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough travels to San Diego to repair a crack in a concrete retaining wall with a stucco finish.

In this guide, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to properly build a child's swing set for your backyard.

In this guide, This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada explains how you can redesign your yard by breaking it up into phases.

A homeowner selects foundation plantings that include edible varieties for both people and wildlife.

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner remove foundation shrubs that have overtaken the front of her house

This Old House contractor Tom Silva shows how to build a cover that can turn a store-bought fire pit into a table when not in use.

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner add an outdoor faucet with both hot and cold water.

Ask This Old House heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a natural gas line to fire up his backyard barbecue grill

Are you tired of outdated tools? Check out the wide range of battery-powered tools in our informative guide.

Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada heads to Phoenix to recreate the desert in a homeowner’s front yard.

In this guide, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how to repair a leaky hose spigot.

Ask This Old House landscape contractor, Roger Cook, helps a homeowner install a new gate to fence in her pet dog.