Big plans to preserve the past this summer

Mustard has history in his genes

There’s no question some of us have a “preserve-the-past-gene”. I think mine takes up about half my brain. I like the inside of my house to be a blend of the old and new, well “newer” anyway. Same with the yard. For . . .

Posted: 2022-05-07

Grow your garden game with roses

Pruning, planting, and shopping for beautiful varieties to grow

With the late arrival of milder spring temperatures, gardeners are ready and eager to tackle a multitude of gardening tasks on their to-do lists. Simultaneously, many of us are visiting garden centres and shopping for plants. It may seem as . . .

Posted: 2022-05-07

Regrading is best bet to prevent pooling water

Question: I’ve been reading your column in the Free Press for a while now and appreciate all your advice and guidance. I have a bit of a similar situation to that addressed in an older article you wrote, about a . . .

Posted: 2022-05-07

Creative design impresses in Headingley's Taylor Farm

Roomy bungalow loaded with style and function

Home builders are like a kid in a candy store when they get an extra-wide lot to build on — they can’t contain their excitement. Why so much excitement? Simple: the extra width allows them to do things they can’t do . . .

Posted: 2022-05-07

Stunning character condo in Osborne Village

Luxury apartment loaded with history and quality

Well over a century ago — 116 years, to be exact — a cutting-edge apartment building was built at the corner of Wardlaw Avenue and Nassau Street North in Osborne Village. A product of the Prairie School of Design developed by . . .

Posted: 2022-05-07

An awkward union

Drywall and plaster finally come to terms

One of the toughest challenges in the renovation industry involves the remodeling of a space within a century-old house. Because construction practices have evolved through years, a current approach will often clash with the ways of old. A current jobsite . . .

Posted: 2022-04-30

Changing the game

Third-generation nurseryman Matthew Schriemer is serving up a wide array of plants

Matt Schriemer has early memories of spending Saturday mornings filling nursery containers with soilless mix when he was a young child. He performed other tasks, too, in his father’s greenhouses and retail garden centre as soon as he was old . . .

Posted: 2022-04-30

Don't let the weather get you DOWN

Mustard reminisces about floods, fishing, and his antique organ

I am NOT going to talk about our current weather woes this morning. Just not going to do it. We need a distraction. So maybe I’ll talk about something I relate to more and more with each passing day. Old . . .

Posted: 2022-04-30

Adding new siding over old a viable solution

Question: I just read one of your excellent posts and have a question that I can’t get a clear answer to. I have an old waterfront cottage from the 1940s, which takes a beating from the sun, sand and wind. . . .

Posted: 2022-04-30

Make perfect caesar salad — every time

Question: I love the taste of restaurant caesar salad. When I make it at home, I never know how much salad dressing to add to the lettuce. If I add too much, the croutons become soggy. If I add too . . .

Posted: 2022-04-30