17 How-Tos From Desperate Landscapes

1. 1. How to Refinish a Porch Swing

   

   3 Thumbs

   Give a weather-worn swing new life by following these directions.

   Time:

   Weekend

   Cost:

   $1 to $50

   Difficulty:

   Easy

2. 2. How to Refinish a Solid Wood Door

   

   4 Thumbs

   Refinish a solid wood front door by following these easy steps.

   Time:

   Weekend

   Cost:

   $100 to $250

   Difficulty:

   Moderate

3. 3. How to Repair a Brick Walkway

   

   6 Thumbs

   Uneven bricks in a walkway pose a tripping hazard. These simple steps take you through the repair.

   Time:

   2 hours

   Cost:

   $1 to $50

   Difficulty:

   Easy

4. 4. How to Paint a Front Door

   

   11 Thumbs

   A freshly painted front door can boost a home's curb appeal. It's a weekend project with years with worth of curb appeal.

   Time:

   Two Days

   Cost:

   $50 to $100

   Difficulty:

   Easy to Moderate

5. 5. How to Transplant a Japanese Maple

   

   6 Thumbs

   A healthy, beautiful and expensive Japanese Maple is moved from a poor location too close to a house to a sunny spot protected from the...

   Time:

   Day

   Cost:

   $50 to $100

   Difficulty:

   Moderate to Hard

6. 6. How to Build a Short Retaining Wall

   

   9 Thumbs

   This 2' retaining wall is a great architectural element that also serves a purpose -- to keep dirt from a sloping yard from going into ...

   Time:

   Weekend

   Cost:

   $250 to $500

   Difficulty:

   Moderate

7. 7. How to Patch Concrete Porch Steps

   

   3 Thumbs

   Time:

   Day

   Cost:

   $50 to $100

   Difficulty:

   Easy

8. 8. How to Prepare a Steel Door for Painting

   

   5 Thumbs

   A steel door that needs repainting must first be sanded smooth.

   Time:

   Day

   Cost:

   $1 to $50

   Difficulty:

   Easy to Moderate

9. 9. Tips for Building a Gate

   

   3 Thumbs

   A new fence and gate provide a nice accent for a landscape. Here are some tips on building the gate.

   Time:

   Under Half Day

   Cost:

   $100 to $250

   Difficulty:

   Moderate

10. 10. How to Build a Window Box

    

    4 Thumbs

    A window box is an easy way to update a home with seasonal plantings and complement a landscape makeover.

    Cost:

    $0 to $0