
Yards
Find creative ideas and practical tips for transforming your yard, with guides on landscaping, maintenance, and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects.
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.
Pro Tips to Get Your House Ready for Warmer Weather
Spring is here, so it’s time to prime the house and garden for the warm-weather months ahead. Read on for tips on how to get everything ready for the summer.
The Best Tools You Can Use To Collect Autumn Leaves
From leaf blowers to vacuums, our guide covers all the different kinds of products and technology to tackle this annual chore.
The Ultimate Guide to Burning Leaves
Leaf burning can be an effective way to tackle your fall cleanup. Here are a few tips for burning leaves safely.
How To Clean a Grill
Learn the best techniques for removing grease, burnt-on food, and rust for safe, delicious meals every time you 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.
How Dry Wells Work: A Guide to Managing Stormwater
Are you having trouble managing stormwater? Dry wells can be a great solution. Here's everything you need to know about them.
How to Build a Prefab Stone Wall
Choosing a prefab stone wall can save you both money and time. Watch how skilled technicians make and install them.
Everything You Need to Know to Choose the Right Mulch
Mulch is a an often overlooked but useful garden tool. Use our guide to navigate the options and find the best topdressing for your plant bed.
How To Replace or Raise a Sprinkler Head
Sprinkler heads can be delicate, but you can get your sprinkler system back in top shape with these DIY tips.
Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Any Type of Yard
Landscaping expert Jenn Nawada explains how ground cover plants are a creative alternative to rocks and mulch, and then tells us about some of her favorite varieties.
Accessories You Need if You Love to Grill
Love to grill? Host a Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or fun seasonal bash to remember with gadgets that will enhance your grill skills. Read on to see our guide to grilling accessories.
How To Build a Firepit From a Kit
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.
How To Fix a Leaky Hose Spigot
This Old House plumbing and heating expert, Richard Trethewey, explains some common failure points in hose spigots and how to repair them.
How To Design an Outdoor Kitchen
Ask This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada discusses the common elements she includes in outdoor kitchen designs.
How to Build a Pallet Wood Shed
A pallet wood shed is an easy way to keep wood and other lawn equipment dry and accessible. Follow these steps to build one yourself.
Everything You Need To Know To Install Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is a low-maintenance option compared to live grass. Our guide explains how to install artificial turf yourself.
Create Your Best Yard Yet With Creative Outdoor Enhancements
Getting ahead of yard work is the difference between enjoyment and drudgery. Read this guide to learn how to create your ideal yard.
8 Backyard Tiki Bar Ideas
Looking for more ways to entertain outdoors? Read these ideas for creating a backyard tiki bar to enjoy during warmer months.
Creating a Better Yard: A Comprehensive Guide
From assessing and designing to planting and building, here's your complete guide to creating a better yard for your home.
Plan the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen
There are some important factors to consider when planning your outdoor kitchen.
How to Build a Simple Dry Well in 16 Easy to Follow Steps
Ask This Old House expert mason Mark McCullough builds a dry well for a homeowner with unresolved drainage issues in his backyard.
How to Plant Hardier Foundation Plantings
Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada helps a homeowner replace and improve foundation plantings that have been crushed by snow piles
5 Weekend Projects To Get Your Yard Ready for Summer
These DIY projects can help you gear up for a summer of outdoor barbeques, s’mores around the bonfire, and kicking back with friends.
How to Plan for Spring Bulbs
Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and landscape designer Jenn Nawada share some tips for planting spring bulbs
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.
How To Grow Grasses on the Prairie
Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada partners with a Wyoming ecologist to learn about different types of prairie grasses.
Back-Saving Snow Removal Tools
Even if you own a snow thrower, there are still times when manual means provide the best (and safest) way to clear the white stuff. Here, three of the latest products that make snow removal less of a chore
What Is It? | Red Tool with Brass Brushes
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a red tool with brass brushes, but What Is It?
How To Repair a Cracked Stucco Retaining Wall
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough travels to San Diego to repair a crack in a concrete retaining wall with a stucco finish.
How To Replace a Concrete Walkway With Brick Pavers
Ask This Old House mason, Mark McCullough, replaces a cracked and worn concrete walkway with new brick pavers.