If you have drainage problems in your landscape, here are step-by-step instructions on how to install a French drain. Drainage problems in your yard or on your acreage property can be bothersome—and sometimes dangerous. If you have drainage problems in the landscape, then you’ll want to learn how to install a French drain. Does water puddle around your foundation after a rain? Or perhaps standing water covers your walkway or patio. Drainage problems can lead to more serious damage to house foundations or pavement. Fortunately, it is easy to redirect water. We’ll teach you how to install a French drain and protect your home and landscape from water damage. What is a French Drain? A French drain might sound fancy. But it’s a simple solution to move water from a problem area to a more desirable location. The drain itself is nothing more than a narrow trench lined with gravel and fitted with pipe to move water. One common application of a French drain is along the … [Read more...] about How to Install a French Drain
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Create a Gratitude Tree for Thanksgiving
November is the perfect time to create a Gratitude Tree for your family. After all, November is the month for giving thanks. Making a Gratitude Tree gives you a tangible way to count your blessings, and this project is a fun activity to do with your kids or grandkids. A Gratitude Tree (also known as a Thankful Tree) provides a way for you and your family to think about and write down the blessings in your lives. Why? Because we’ve all got lots to be thankful for, but sometimes we forget to take time out of our busy days to simply say “thank you” for all of the good things we are blessed to experience. Did you know Amazon had an outlet store? Check out what's on sale at the Amazon Outlet! What is a Gratitude Tree? Your gratitude tree can be as simple as a drawing of tree branches upon which you attach leaves. I prefer to use an actual tree branch or a few branches put into a vase for the “tree.” (You can even buy a Gratitude Tree kit online. But … [Read more...] about Create a Gratitude Tree for Thanksgiving
How to Build a Floating Deck
If you are wondering how to build a floating deck, you’ve come to the right place. A floating deck is an inexpensive, freestanding platform that is surprisingly easy to build. The deck floats just above the ground atop preformed concrete blocks. It is not difficult to build, and it can be installed in most lawn or garden areas. Raising the deck off the ground allows the wood to dry out after rainstorms, helping it to last longer. The simple act of stepping up onto a platform helps establish a sense of place in the landscape. Elevating the floating deck also accommodates unique design elements. In the project described in detail below, we built a deck that cantilevers over a water garden. The floating deck is attractive, and it creates a serene gathering spot where the landscape can be enjoyed. How to Build a Floating Deck: Materials Needed The tools and materials specified below are required to build a floating deck that is 10 feet by 10 feet. Adjust board lengths … [Read more...] about How to Build a Floating Deck
Make a Perfect Dried Flower Wreath from Your Old Bouquets
Making a dried flower wreath is an attractive way to repurpose old floral bouquets into something new and functional. Whether you use your wedding bouquet, an arrangement from another important occasion or cut flowers from your garden, your old flowers and this simple DIY project will unleash your creativity. Plus, we guarantee you will have fun! Here are some helpful tips so that you can make a perfect dried flower wreath from your old bouquets. Choose Your Dried Flower Wreath Florals Start by looking at your bouquet and determining which flowers and greenery are best for your project. You may decide that a few flowers have started to fall apart over time, and they aren't right for your display. If that's the case, work with what you have and choose the best-looking pieces for your wreath. Consider adding greenery or grasses to your arrangement to give the flowers a fuller, more inviting look. Pampas grass and dried flax are two popular options for dried flower … [Read more...] about Make a Perfect Dried Flower Wreath from Your Old Bouquets
Transform Cabinets with DIY Pull Out Shelves
DIY pull out shelves changed my life. I am only slightly exaggerating here. But seriously, we decided to transform our cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom with DIY pull out shelves. The result has been nothing short of amazing. When we moved into our home five years ago, the kitchen pantry had no shelving. So, we built our own pull out shelves. In our deep cabinets, the new full-extension pull-out shelves allow my family to reach the back of cabinets with ease. The do-it-yourself DIY pull out shelves also make the narrow openings easier to navigate. The shelves now pull ALL THE WAY OUT to bring order to overly deep spaces – like our bathroom cabinets. After years of stretching through the 12-inch opening to reach items at the back, we decided it was time to build pull out shelves. It was one of the smartest DIY projects we ever did. The following steps walk you through the process of building your own DIY pull out shelves. Getting Started on Your Pull-Out Shelves What … [Read more...] about Transform Cabinets with DIY Pull Out Shelves
