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Yard How To & DIY

Improve the value of your home by discovering our yard step-by-step tips & ideas.

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How To Find Property Lines

The legal boundaries of a plot of land are one of the most important things for a homeowner to know, but they’re often overlooked—until those property lines come into question. Read this guide to figure out how to easily find your property lines.
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How to Get Rid of Cicadas

Cicadas may not be as annoying as other bugs that sting or bite, but they can be a noisy nuisance. If these pesky critters invade your property, here are ways to minimize their presence.
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How to Build a Utility Cover

Carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner block their gas meter from the road with a simple yet attractive removable utility cover.
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How to Build an Outdoor Kitchen

Follow this step-by-step guide to build your own outdoor kitchen, complete with DIY tips and tricks from the pros.
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Build It | Cornhole

General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor how to build a DIY cornhole board to meet regulation standards.
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How to Turn on a Sprinkler System in Spring

Are you tired of paying a sprinkler company or landscape contractor to turn the water to your sprinkler system back on each spring? This relatively simple job is well within the abilities of a DIYer, and all it takes is a little background knowledge to save a lot of money. Here’s how to handle turning on a sprinkler system yourself.
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Build It | How to Build a Beehive

In this Build It video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor craft a bee-friendly backyard feature from basic building materials.
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How to Get Rid of Birds on Your Property

Harming or trapping most wild birds is illegal, so we’ll show you how to get rid of birds on your property by using harmless, non-chemical deterrents and repellents.
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How to Frame a Shed

General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor and mason Mark McCullough how to frame walls while rebuilding Mark’s chicken coop shed.
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How to Wire a Shed for Electricity

Master electrician Heath Eastman helps Mason Mark McCullough wire his chicken barn for lights and power.
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How to Create a Dog-Friendly Yard

Your yard is your happy place, and you want it to be your pet’s, too. Here’s how to protect your landscaping while giving her an ideal romping ground.
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How to Clean a Grill

Cooking over open flames may be a chef’s delight, but now it’s time to clean your grill. Read on to learn how to properly clean and maintain your gas or charcoal grill.

How to Drain a Hot Tub

Hot tubs are meant for relaxation, but there’s one aspect of owning one that may be stressing you out: draining the water to clean the tub. Read our guide to learn how to drain your hot tub.

How To Winterize a Pool

Learn how to winterize a pool with our comprehensive guide. Get expert tips and step-by-step instructions to protect your pool during the colder months.
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How To Replace or Raise a Sprinkler Head

This Old House Landscape Contractor Jenn Nawada offers some advice on how to adjust sunken sprinkler heads.
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How to Build a Pallet Wood Shed

Need a place to store firewood in your yard? A pallet wood shed is an easy way to keep wood dry and accessible. Here are the steps you need to follow to build one yourself.
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How To Install Artificial Turf

Installing artificial turf in your yard will give you a low-maintenance solution to live grass that dramatically increases your home’s curb appeal. Read these steps to understand how the process works, what tools you need, and the directions to install it yourself.
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How to Upgrade to a Smart Irrigation System

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

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva travels to Colorado to help a couple build a DIY swing set for their young son.
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How to Design a Yard in Phases

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada returns to her home state of Florida to help a homeowner design a tropical landscape for his backyard.
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How to Make a Rolling Grill Cart

This wheeled cooking companion will stand ready to assist the master of the backyard barbecue. Read on to see the steps for building a rolling grill cart.
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How to Winterize Your Grill and Outdoor Kitchen Appliances

Whether you've got a charcoal kettle on wheels or a gas grill built into an outdoor kitchen, here's how to store your grill during the off-season.
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Build It | Fire Pit Cover

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva works with host Kevin O’Connor to build a cover that can turn a store bought fire pit into a table when not in use.
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How to Install a Natural Gas Grill

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
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How to Create a Desert Landscape

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

From "she-sheds" to man caves, sheds have gone from humble storage units to social-media darlings. Love the idea, but feeling daunted? Here’s how to get an outstanding outbuilding of your own
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How to Rebuild a Hose Spigot

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey repairs a leaky hose spigot
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How to Install a Fence Gate

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner install a new gate to fence in her pet dog
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Tips for Maintaining a Snow Blower

Is your snow thrower ready to go? Check off the items on the following list
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How to Help Prevent Melanoma While Working Outside

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook demonstrates the importance of sunscreen on the job site
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How to Install a Water Feature that Reuses Rainwater

Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada installs a water feature that collects and reuses rainwater.
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How to Harvest Honey from a Beehive

Landscaper Roger Cook and a professional beekeeper harvest honey, talk about hive health and show you how to maintain and grow your hive.
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How to Set Up a Beehive

Ask This Old House’s Roger Cook takes you through everything you need to plan and install a beehive in your backyard or a field near your home.