Grow your own groceries

Playing in the dirt is good, clean fun

There’s no question some folks have a green thumb and it is astounding what they are able to grow in their gardens. My Dad, Joe Mustard was one of those people. Every year along with planting gorgeous flower gardens in our yard . . .

Posted: 2022-07-09

Cornstarch will remove that musty book odour

Question: How can I get rid of the smell of old musty books? They smell like an old church. Jacob Answer: Lightly sprinkle cornstarch between the pages. Leave for about an hour and shake the cornstarch from the pages. Question: At the . . .

Posted: 2022-07-09

New fence a welcome surprise

Simple job all in a days work

This build season has been chaotic to schedule. Although most of the exterior builds set to occur this season were slotted last fall, choosing exact start dates has been less straight-forward than usual due to difficulties when attempting to . . .

Posted: 2022-07-09

The value of hedges

They require patience, but well worth the wait

Would you consider planting a hedge as an alternative to building a wooden fence? A funny thing happened when dwarf Thuja cedars I planted more than 15 years ago as a low hedge in a bed beneath my kitchen window . . .

Posted: 2022-07-09

Transcona two-storey loaded top to bottom

Smart, affordable design includes developed lower level

With the cost of building homes literally increasing daily, builders have been racking their brains to find ways to deliver affordable yet livable homes to families. Ventura Custom Homes has come up with a solution in the form of the Bristol, . . .

Posted: 2022-07-09

These simple DIY projects are perfect for beginners

At the onset of the COVID pandemic in early 2020, it was hard to predict how the pandemic would impact Manitoba’s residential renovation industry. Our industry continued to see very strong activity during 2021 and has been a bright spot . . .

Posted: 2022-07-09

Live the dream in River Heights

Stunning home both lavish and livable

For a moment (or two), imagine that you have the financial wherewithal to build your dream home. With price being no object, the first order of business would be to find a location and lot that would fit an expansive, . . .

Posted: 2022-07-09

Weight of winter leads to wait

Pool season slightly delayed, but solar heat is ready to go

This past winter wreaked havoc on homeowners, with damage sustained in a variety of capacities. Beyond the pre-scheduled and planned exterior builds over the course of the next months, additional projects have been included for repairs to, or replacements of . . .

Posted: 2022-07-02

Heat recovery ventilator great addition to new cottage

Question: I have had a small, 504 square foot house/cottage built, with electric baseboard heat. It’s a new build, very close to the Whiteshell park. The plumbing has not been installed, yet. Do I need an HRV unit? Jeri D. Answer: Installing . . .

Posted: 2022-07-02

Grandpa Mountain is ready to climb

Mustard’s mighty John Deere mows grass with authority

Like many of you, I know what I’m doing this Canada Day weekend, and it isn’t guzzling a cold one in a comfy chair on a dock somewhere. If it isn’t raining (not supposed to), I’ll be mowing. And mowing. And . . .

Posted: 2022-07-02