joi, 31 ianuarie 2013

Free Outdoor Plans

Choosing the right projects

There are so many plans for a dream garden, that I don't even know what to begin with. From our experience, building different woodworking projects for your garden will not only add value and enhance the look of your backyard, but it is also a great way to reduce stress and to spend great time with your kids. There are many diy projects that you could do with your kids and pass down important techniques.

Taking into account the alternatives, you should really consider the options and your budget, before starting a woodworking project. From our experience, you need to invest in quality materials and use professional tools, otherwise you won't get an accurate result.

1. Build a deck. A deck is one of the most common outdoor projects, as it is easy to build and it really pays off the investment. A properly built deck will last for many years and it will really add value to your property. Expand the living surface of the home with a nice deck, by using professional plans and instructions. See a good tutorial here.

2. Build a greenhouse. If you want to eat fresh vegetables every week or you just want a great hobby for the weekends, you should consider building a nice greenhouse. First of all, you should start with a basic raised garden bed, as to learn the basic techniques and to see if you like gardening. Afterwards  you can try on a larger scale, by building a small greenhouse. See a detailed guide about building a greenhouse here.

3. Build a gazebo. A gazebo is one of those unique projects that have the power to transform any backyard. If you choose the right plans for your needs, you can really impress your friends with a beautiful outdoor construction. You can choose from a large variety of shapes and designs, starting with a square gazebo up to a complex octagonal gazebo. See step by step projects here.


Building a rectangular gazebo


marți, 29 ianuarie 2013

Simple Greenhouse Plans

A basic greenhouse will not only add value to any garden, but it is also a great source of fresh vegetables with vitamins. In addition, numerous studies have proved that gardening is a great way to reduce stress levels and to change your lifestyle towards a healthier approach.


Simple Greenhouse Plans

Therefore, you should start with selecting the right small greenhouse building plans for your needs. There are so many choices when speaking about the size or the shape of the greenhouse, that it is really hard to select the one that fits your needs. From our experience, a small gable greenhouse is a good start with a want to grow a large variety of vegetables and herbs, but you don't have enough time for this hobby.

Generally speaking, you can harvest a significant quantity of legumes even on a small surface of raised garden beds. Just imagine what a properly built greenhouse can do for you and your family. If you are really determined to grow fresh vegetables, you should remember that not any location is proper for a greenhouse.

First of all, a greenhouse should receive at least 6 hours of full sunlight everyday, otherwise the plants won't be able to develop properly. In addition, it would also be a great idea to analyze the ph and the structure of the soil. There are many cases, when the soil is not good enough to grow some vegetables, so you should know these things from the very beginning.


Building a greenhouse

Building a small greenhouse is similar to making a small shed. Therefore, you should build the walls of the greenhouse on a level surface, using 2x4 weather resistant lumber. Drill pilot holes trough the plates and insert 3" galvanized screws into the studs. Check if the corners are right-angled, otherwise you won't be able to get a professional result. 

Secure the walls into place with braces and lock them together with screws. Use a spirit level to check if the walls are plumb. Build the door using 2x2 lumber and secure it to the frame with metal hinges. Last but not least attach polyethylene foil to the exterior of the frame and stretch it properly. 

If you want to automate the ventilation process, we recommend you to install an automatic vent opener. Work with attention and with great care, if you want to get the job done as a professional. Alternatively,  you could also build a lean to greenhouse, if you have a tight space around your house. 


Greenhouse Plans - Video