How to have the rose garden of your dreams

Attaining beauty without pesticides

At the time, it is likely you couldn’t actually hear the cheer that went up from insect pollinators everywhere when provincewide cosmetic pesticide bans were implemented. There was plenty of consternation to be heard, though, by anyone who grew plant . . .

Posted: 2020-07-25

Unplug appliances to avoid phantom power consumption

Question: I work long hours away from home and I always leave my coffee maker and toaster plugged into the electrical outlet. I assume that appliances are made to remain plugged in when not in use. Is this safe? — Stoddle Answer: Some appliances . . .

Posted: 2020-07-25

Small changes equal big results

Opening stairs on this deck gives it broader appeal

If you have enjoyed the comforts and conveniences of your backyard deck, the decision to replace it when it begins to show wear can be bittersweet. On the one hand, that old familiar deck will be long gone, but on . . .

Posted: 2020-07-25

Plastic pipe likely drain for window well

Question: We have a PVC pipe sticking out of the ground beside our house, underneath a basement window, which appears to go down about six feet. What function does this serve? Bruno Klassen Answer: The unusual looking pipe under your basement window . . .

Posted: 2020-07-25

Backyard mural guaranteed to bring smiles

Local artist Dennis Bell brings bland walls to life

When Lisa Bertrand, owner and operator of Little Luxuries House and Carpet Cleaning, popped in to visit client Dennis Bell a few weeks ago, little did she know it would lead to Bell painting a big beautiful mural on her . . .

Posted: 2020-07-25

Seamless combination of style and function

Creative design blends modern appeal with rustic charm

Ask any builder, and they'll tell you it's no simple task to reconcile modern and rustic themes when conceiving a new home design. Fritzgerald Pacag, sales representative for Foxridge Homes' show home at 60 West Plains Rd. in Sage Creek, says . . .

Posted: 2020-07-25

Magical dream home loaded with space and style

St. Andrews bungalow ready for your growing family

Space is the one constant that growing families are always seeking when shopping for a new home. Ideally, that space will be well-distributed, which means there will not only be space to separate inside, but outside, as well. It would also . . .

Posted: 2020-07-25

Peroxide or specialized product can get rid of the blues

QUESTION: We have Plumbago in our courtyard, a blue-flowered plant which is used in dyes. They are sticky, and a flower attached to my pants and then I sat on our cotton fabric couch. We now have a blue mark . . .

Posted: 2020-07-18

Modern fasteners the fix for decorative shelf brackets

QUESTION: My brother-in-law has a situation with one of his decorative house brackets. At the front of his house, built in 1930, he has three of these decorative brackets. Upon these he attached a top piece of wood to act . . .

Posted: 2020-07-18

Weapons of weed destruction

Turn to the pantry to eradicate unruly vegetation

Last week I offered you a number of non-chemical options to try out for removing unwanted grass and weeds from your driveway or wherever. In the meantime, I tried them here at home. They included everything from various vinegar/soap/salt concoctions to . . .

Posted: 2020-07-18