Protect against pests and diseases

Be vigilant and plant smart for a healthy garden next spring

Fall is a good time to reduce the risk of pest and disease problems next year. Your first goal should be good garden sanitation practices. Cut down any diseased plant material and remove and destroy debris on the soil around . . .

Posted: 2019-09-07

Hunting orchids on the Prairies

Manitoba is home to many species of the elusive, prized flower

Since 2001, a group of intrepid plant hunters, led by local orchid enthusiasts Lorne and Joan Heshka, make their annual trek to explore the flora of Churchill. For the first leg of the journey, they travel by car from Winnipeg . . .

Posted: 2017-01-14

GARDENING: Pond pleasures

Water features add serenity to any garden

Working with water MOST visitors on garden tours who come across a garden with a pond long to have one of their own. The sound of water, in particular, focuses our attention -- effectively muting background noise, such . . .

Posted: 2012-04-14

Real deal CURB APPEAL

Surprise makeover transforms East Kildonan home

HOW'D you like to head out for a cottage weekend and come back to a whole new yard? That's what happened to East Kildonan's Pamela Hoeschen on Sunday after her husband Eugene Warwaruk conspired with CTV's The Marilyn Denis Show and . . .

Posted: 2011-07-23

Renovation products spring to life at show

I've always thought renovation and spring are synonymous because they both refer to revival and rebirth. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word renovation is derived from the Latin renovare, meaning to make new, impart new vigour or revive. The . . .

Posted: 2015-04-11

Crepe expectations

Tasty delicacies just the beginning at 'little slice of Europe'

One of Manitoba's most unusual and charming attractions recently underwent an extensive renovation. The Whytewold Emporium, often referred to as "a little slice of Europe" on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg, is now 3, 000 square-feet larger due to an . . .

Posted: 2014-07-12

GARDENING: The art of bonsai

A tree, a tray, not hard to say

When Stu Innes, today's contributor, persisted in pruning the fruit trees in his backyard, his wife Debbie reacted with some alarm and suggested he find a hobby. Innes recalls that as a young child he was intrigued by . . .

Posted: 2012-09-08

Shower stall upgrade takes messy turn

Massive pipe blockage found during bathroom project

The job began much like most other shower stall upgrade projects: an initial meeting with the clients to discuss their ultimate reno objectives, how in-depth the demolition will be, and of course choosing the desired tile, shower faucet and sliding . . .

Posted: 2019-01-19

Colour's supporting role in flower beds

Consider adding Pantone's pick for 2018 into your garden

The Pantone Institute has named ultra violet as colour of the year for 2018. It isn’t only fashion designers who are influenced by colour trends. The choice of greenery, the 2017 colour of the year, conveyed an environmental message — one . . .

Posted: 2017-12-30

Cultivating the perfect plants

Breeders are making sure there's no shortage of new vegetation for your garden

Gardeners don’t ask for much. All we want are plants that bloom earlier and have bigger, longer-lasting blooms. The plants will need a better branching habit and sturdier stems to support the larger blooms. Could someone please reduce the size of . . .

Posted: 2017-12-02