Red, red gravel of home replaces grass

DALLAS -- Instead of a soft, velvety lawn in my back yard, I now have what landscape designers call hardscape, an expanse of reddish, tannish decomposed granite where the grass used to grow. Although I would prefer to see thick, . . .

Posted: 2008-07-20

Dig it: 10 ways to get kids interested in gardening

Gardening can be child’s play. Here are 10 ways to spark your children’s or grandchildren’s interest in gardening. 1.  Use common scents. Some plants have interesting food-like fragrances. For instance, Cassia didymobotrya is called the popcorn plant because its foliage gives . . .

Posted: 2009-06-14

Watch your (micro) garden grow

Even condo dwellers can enjoy their favourite hobby

VICTORIA -- As more people give up larger homes with backyards for yardless condos, many are refusing to give up the pleasure of a garden. Urban farmers are transforming their new surroundings -- often concrete and asphalt -- by growing . . .

Posted: 2008-03-30

Unlike other condos

Bungalow-style unit has all the amenities of a house

According to Lifestyles Real Estate’s Charlene Urbanski, bungalow-style condominiums are a rare commodity. "Right now, there aren’t many for sale in the Winnipeg area — there are about 30 in total including East St. Paul, " she says. "I’ve just listed such . . .

Posted: 2017-05-13

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Don't fall behind now

Chores to be done in the garden as another winter approaches

Thank goodness we got to revel in the past four weeks of summer weather during September when the tomatoes seemed to ripen all at once and that last little bit of enjoyment could be squeezed from the garden. But, the . . .

Posted: 2009-10-04

GARDENING: Covet thy neighbour's garden

Garden tours popular with Manitoba's flora lovers

Weather conditions in Manitoba are always fairly consistent -- extremes are the order of the day. Gardeners may grumble about the cool, damp spring, but the gardens themselves are thriving following a relatively mild winter with plenty of snow cover, essential . . .

Posted: 2011-06-18

Efficiency upgrades can trap moisture

Reduce humidity to avoid problems

QUESTIONS: Our home is 50 years old. Last year we had a Hydro home inspection and at that time it was suggested that we purchase a new furnace and add insulation to the attic. We did both and our house . . .

Posted: 2009-02-14

Time to freshen up the home

Helpful ideas to make spring cleaning less of a dreaded chore

THE flowers are in bloom, the birds are chirping, and the sun is shining brightly -- right through your dirty windows. That's when it hits you. Spring is in the air and it's time to freshen up your home. If the . . .

Posted: 2010-03-27

Make better use of your underutilized porch

Manitobans know all too well about the wrath of the mighty mosquito during the summer months. The only way to enjoy the outdoors during this time is to have a screened-in area that allows you to enjoy the warm weather . . .

Posted: 2008-07-20

Avoid these design trends to keep your decor fresh

Grass-green shag carpet evokes the Nixon era on the lower level of my family’s turn-of-the-century farmhouse. The wall-to-wall floor cover, like a teddy bear underfoot, was all the rage in 1974, when my grandparents left urban life to retire at . . .

Posted: 2021-07-03