The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects: 76 Useful Things You Can Build to Create Customized Working Spaces and Storage Facilities, Equip the Garden, Store the Harvest, House Your Animals, and Make Practical Outdoor Furniture

by Spike Carlsen

Overview

Gardeners, small farmers, and outdoor living enthusiasts will love this compilation of 76 rustic DIY projects. From plant supports and clotheslines to a chicken coop, a greenhouse, and a root cellar with storage bins, most of the projects are suitable for complete novices, and all use just basic tools and easy-to-find materials. You’ll find techniques to build whatever your outdoor world is missing, with additional tips to live sustainably, happily, and independently. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612120850
Publisher:	Storey Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	03/25/2014
Series:	Backyard Homestead Series
Pages:	296
Sales rank:	69,565
Product dimensions:	8.56(w) x 10.88(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Spike Carlsen built a tree house at the age of 8 and has been swinging a hammer ever since. He worked as a carpenter and contractor for 15 years, then as an editor with The Family Handyman — the world’s leading DIY magazine — for another 15. He’s the author of the award-winning A Splintered History of Wood, Woodworking FAQ, and The Backyard Homestead of Building Projects. He’s written for Men’s Health, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, American Woodworker, and other publications and has appeared on HGTV, Modern Marvels, and CBS’s The Early Show. He and his wife, Kat, divide their time between their home in Stillwater, Minnesota, and their cabin on Lake Superior.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Carleen Madigan

Introduction

Chapter 1

Tools, Materials & Skills

My Go-To Hand Tools

Safety and Safety Equipment

Lifting and Moving Heavy Stuff

Woods and Plywoods

Glues and Caulks

Exterior Fasteners

Drilling Holes and Driving Screws

Tool Sharpening and Maintenance

Digging Holes and Setting Posts

Circular Saw Basics

Measuring, Leveling, and Squaring

Paints and Finishes

Chapter 2

For the Garden

Two-Wheel Garden Cart

Cold Frame

Compost Bin Trio

Critter-Proof Fence

Shadow Box Fence Panel

Deep Irrigation Basics

Simple Hose Guides

Garden Marker/Stepping Stone

Super-Simple Path

Sitting and Kneeling Garden Stool

Five Raised-Bed Gardens

Five Simple Plant Supports

Bent Rebar Pergola

Golf Cart Garden Dolly

Rain Barrel Basics

Potting Bench

Hoop Greenhouse

Rustic Trellis

Chapter 3

Harvesting & Food Preparation

Harvesting Tote

Foldaway Countertop Rack

Harvest Trug

Shoulder Bucket Yoke

Outdoor Workbench

Multipurpose Produce Rack

Fire Pit Grilling Station

Root Cellar

Root Cellar Storage System

Flowerpot Smoker

Chapter 4

Storage & Workspaces

Overhead Storage Cradles

Sawbuck Bench

Firewood Storage and Splitting Station

Knockdown Sawhorses

Stand-Up Tool Rack

Patio Storage Chest

Wall-Hung Tool Rack

Mini Tool Shed

Modular Shed

Homestead Emergency Cart

Ultimate Yard Shed

Hose Headquarters

Chapter 5

Animal Shelters & Feeders

Nesting Box Buckets

Rabbit Hutch

Bat House

Animal Shelter

Chicken Ark

Outdoor Outlets, Switches, and Lights

Rain-In Shelter

Classy, Classic Chicken Coop

Coffee Can Bird Feeder

Top Bar Beehive

Chapter 6

For the House & Yard

Boot Scraper and Jack

Leopold Bench

Firewood Cradle and Carrying Sling

Lawn Bag Stand

Backdoor Storage Locker

Punched Tin Jelly Cabinet

Clothes Pole Trellis

Spice Planter

Rustic Garden Table

Concrete Planter

Seedling Rack

Outdoor Shower

Pickin' and Grinnin' Chair

Solar Window Heater

Recommended Reading

Resources

Index

Editorial Reviews

04/14/2014
The idea of a "hoop greenhouse" might initially conjure images of a graduated pile of Hula Hoops draped in some expensive plastic. In reality, with PVC pipe, plastic sheeting, a little lumber, and maybe the help of a friend, months of growing season can be added to the year with this simple, reusable hothouse. The flower pot smoker needs a mere hot plate for heat, wood chips, and two large flower pots to provide big flavor on a smaller scale. If sustainable living is desirable, but you don't know where to start, Carlsen, former executive editor of Family Handyman, covers it all, from tool safety to the final product with plenty of instruction and illustrations requiring a day or a weekend. Most projects can be accomplished by the novice woodworker and require few tools beyond those found in the average garage or shed. From drip irrigation systems to the DIY beehive to the more elaborate yard shed, this book may appeal to those who want a sustainable lifestyle, or who just want a backyard project. Who says there's nothing fun left under the sun? (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Whether you are raising livestock or just a small bed of herbs, there are plenty of useful projects in this collection. ...This well-balanced book fits very nicely into the series, and the projects are accessible to homesteaders of all levels. A great purchase.”

"Master carpenter Spike Carlsen shares 76 plans for making a self-sufficient life easier and better organized.”

From the Publisher

"Master carpenter Spike Carlsen shares 76 plans for making a self-sufficient life easier and better organized.”

Book Page

★ 02/15/2014
Whether you are raising livestock or just a small bed of herbs, there are plenty of useful projects in this collection. Author and woodworker Carlsen is in his element here, giving ample attention to safety, tools, and materials. Ideas are grouped by area and theme: outdoors, harvesting, storage, animal shelters, and miscellaneous. There are several standouts, including a two-wheel cart, a flower-pot smoker, processing racks, and a golf cart dolly. Each features an exploded view, measurements, and a list of needed supplies. The lack of detailed, step-by-step instruction is offset by very clear text. VERDICT This well-balanced book fits very nicely into the series, and the projects are accessible to homesteaders of all levels. A great purchase.

Library Journal