
Yard & Garden
Whether you’re planting an edible garden, building a porch, or resurfacing your driveway, we have you covered. Browse this section for tips & techniques for gardening, landscaping & building outdoors.

Barbecues
Expert advice on outdoor barbecues and kitchens, with buying guides, DIY installation instructions and diagrams, repair and maintenance tips.

Decks & Porches
What is the difference between a deck and a porch? In some cases, not much. Learn the ins and outs of these outdoor platforms.

Driveways
Is it time to completely replace your driveway? While daunting, this is an excellent opportunity to boost your home’s curb appeal and improve accessibility.

Edible Gardening
Ingredients for a salad don’t get much fresher than when they are pulled directly from the yard. When you “grow your own,” you can guarantee your produce is organic.

Fences, Arbors & Gates
Fences, gates, and walls can secure your yard, provide privacy, and visually define and beautify your home’s outdoor areas.

Flower Gardening
Flowering plants are generally divided into two categories: annuals and perennials. Though they can be used interchangeably, each has its own pluses and minuses.

Gazebos & Patio Roofs
A patio roof or an overhead may be attached to the house with a ledger or it can be freestanding.

Lawns & Ground Covers
This section introduces HomeTips's information on lawns and ground covers, including how to choose, mow, water, care, replant, and more.

Outdoor Lighting
Similar to their indoor relatives, outdoor lighting solutions can be mixed and matched to complement your personal style.

Patios, Paths, Pavers & Steps
Walkways, paths, and steps are integral to the flow of both your yard’s layout and its traffic patterns.

Sheds & Playhouses
Is it time to build or install a new shed in your yard to serve as a garden work center or to provide additional storage for garage overflow?

Shrubs, Hedges & Trees
Flooring manufactured from vinyl, plastic laminate, linoleum, cork, and similar materials falls into the category known as resilient flooring.

Sprinklers & Drip
When it comes to watering your lawns and gardens, you have several options, from spraying with a hose to installing complex drip irrigation systems.

Swimming Pools & Spas
A swimming pool is more than a backyard feature—it is a way of life. Kids’ parties, holiday gatherings, family barbecues—all are more fun when you have a swimming pool.

Water Features
Water. It’s hard to imagine anything quite as relaxing and tranquil as a gently splashing fountain; dancing, sparkling brook; or rippling pond filled with colorful fish.
Yard & Garden Articles

Planning a Lawn & Garden Sprinkler System
Check with the building department in your area before you start planning a sprinkler system. Research any installation restrictions or codes that might affect the

Building a Roof Over a Deck or Patio
Start here if you want to build a roof over a patio or deck. We will walk you through the entire process, from siting the

How to Build a Lean-To Shed
Free plans, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions for building a simple 4-by-6-foot outdoor shed. Step-by-step instructions, too! In This Article: Storage Shed Design Plan Modifications Building

How to Build a Trellis, Arbor, or Pergola
How to build a garden arbor or pergola, with illustrated step-by-step instructions, building plans, and buying advice for roofing materials. In This Article: Roofing Materials
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