Peaches on the Prairies?

With proper overwintering, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labours

Don’t tell Bernie Nikolai it isn’t possible to grow peaches or figs outdoors on the Canadian Prairies. He has been doing it successfully for several years in his backyard in Edmonton. Take, for example, what Nikolai refers to as his . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

‘Bee' there for someone

A little collective effort can truly brighten someone’s life

So it’s already mid-January, and I consider March to be winter’s end, making it only six weeks till spring, and what a wonderful thing that is! Humour me on this, will ya? Mercy. Sitting here pondering summer and the many outside projects I . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

Bright ideas out of downtime

Lull offers perfect opportunity for long-overdue ceiling fan light upgrade

With very short notice, a renovation project set to begin in early January was pushed back a week due to unforeseen circumstances. As such, this allowed some time to catch up on overdue paperwork while recovering from the COVID booster . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

Fresh air worth a bit of frost

Older intake ducts have role to play in airtight homes

Question: My house was built in 1984, with a forced-air heating system and a standard efficiency natural gas furnace. The furnace was replaced 15 years ago with a high-efficiency unit. During the recent cold snap, I noticed that one of . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

Divert coffee grounds from sink drain to garden

Question: Do you think it’s safe to pour coffee grounds into the kitchen sink? Wyatt Answer: Some professionals say it is OK to dump coffee grounds down the drain if you run enough water to flush them completely out of the . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

Up to the challenge

Deft design maximizes space on narrower lot

When a builder says they can build an exceptionally livable home on a 32-foot-wide lot, it’s hard not to be (at least a little) skeptical about such a claim. Yet, when you step inside the Crestmont II — A & S . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

Remodelled and resplendent

Stunning overhaul unlocks riverside bungalow’s potential

Imagine buying a home that’s in an incredible location and in great condition, yet its interior layout leaves much to be desired. That was the case when the outgoing owner of 744 Cloutier Dr. purchased the home in question, a 3, . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

Wander the world in your garden

Landscape designer captures inspiration from his travels

There are many different elements to consider when planning a landscape design: mass, form, line, texture, colour, and value. Design principles include unity, balance, proportion, rhythm, repetition, contrast, and simplicity. Everywhere Keith Lemkey travels, he gains fresh inspiration and key . . .

Posted: 2022-01-08

Ringing in the New Year right

Wireless video doorbell finally chimes in

It seemed like a simple enough plan — the introduction of a couple video doorbells, one at each of my front door entrances. Because the house was already equipped with the (Google) NEST Thermostat for the past five years, Google . . .

Posted: 2022-01-08

This wild house

There’s no rules when it comes to this eclectic abode

One thing I think we can establish right off the top here is that Gail Fraser and her partner Chris Robinson are
 not minimalists. What they are…is individuals with extremely creative imaginations and the skills to manifest their dreams into “bricks . . .

Posted: 2022-01-08