Tom travels to Colorado to help a couple build a swing set; Jenn travels to Raleigh to build a self-watering vegetable garden; Mark helps a homeowner build a firepit that comes in a kit.
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It’s Summertime on Ask This Old House and the team are here to help with some fun outdoor projects! Tom Silva helps a couple builds a DIY swing set for their young son’s upcoming birthday; Jenn Nawada helps a couple build a self-watering vegetable garden that will survive even if they go on vacation; Mark McCullough helps a homeowner build a cost effective firepit for his backyard from a kit.
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How to Build a Swing Set
Tom installed the Do-It-Yourself Pioneer Custom Play Set, which is manufactured by Swing-N-Slide []. It comes with a basic set of swing set parts and then you can order additional parts to customize it to your needs.
The lumber Tom used to assemble the swing set was Western Red Cedar.
All the other tools and materials used for this project, including the drill driver, screws, and speed square, can all be found at home centers.
Expert assistance with this project was provided by the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association [] and Nathan Gilbert Carpentry.
How to Build a Self-Watering Vegetable Garden
Jenn built a heftier raised garden bed using cedar 2x lumber [], which she got from Western Red Cedar Lumber Association []. The corner brackets that held the lumber together and contained the hose connection are the Aquacorner Raised Bed Soaker System, which is available through online retailers. The timer Jenn connected to the spigot was a 1-port single dial irrigation timer [], which can be found at The Home Depot.
Because the homeowners wanted to grow vegetables in the garden, Jenn selected an organic raised bed/potting soil mix. She also selected strawberries, tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme, Thai basil, and lettuce for the vegetable garden. These can all be found at The Home Depot [].
Building a Fire Pit from a Kit
Mark installed a Necessories Grand 48-inch Firepit Kit [], which can be found at The Home Depot.
For the base, Mark used crushed stone and pack, which can be found at landscape supply stores.
To secure the stones in the kit together, Mark used Gorilla Construction Adhesive made by Gorilla Glue [].
The other tools Mark used to install the fire pit, including the shovel, level, and rubber mallet, can all be found at home centers.
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About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
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ASK This Old House | Summer Special (S19 E27) FULL EPISODE