Natural solutions to repel pesky spiders

Question: Wondering if you might have a solution for spider webs covering my screens? No matter what I try, I can’t seem to get rid of them. Thanks, E. Answer: Spider webs are beautiful to look at, but not always created in places . . .

Posted: 2016-05-28

Building codes dictate need and location of kitchen vent

Question: I came across an article you had written about kitchen ventilation and was hoping you might not mind giving me your opinion on a range-hood question. We are building a new home and are trying decide between a ducted range hood, . . .

Posted: 2016-05-28

Love shack

Decorating garden shed fun and easy project

We have a storage shed that came with our condo. It was in need of coat of paint so I decided to take it up a notch and turn it into a cute garden shed replete with faux windows, window . . .

Posted: 2016-05-28

Digging deep

Exhaustive testing, research required to diagnose diseased trees

A few years ago I had the roots of a dying Amur chokecherry tested at the Manitoba Agriculture Crop diagnostic lab.These trees were dying in many diverse locations in southern Manitoba. Tests performed on the leaves, twigs, branches and exposed . . .

Posted: 2016-05-28

Options galore

South Pointe two-storey great design with multiple finish choices

How do you make a popular new-home design even better?By meticulously modifying the minute design details that have made that model so popular with families, said Spencer Curtis of Hilton Homes. "The design of this home (the Beverley III) has . . .

Posted: 2016-05-28

Complete package

Fort Richmond bungalow a great alternative to buying new

Growing families looking for a move-up home have two options to consider. Option one involves taking a more traditional route, which means looking for a tidy, well-kept resale home. Option two is expanding their search to entry-level new home designs . . .

Posted: 2016-05-28

Here comes the sun. Will your lawn beat the heat?

By now, your lawn growth will have started to slow. Slower growth means slower recovery and repair when damage occurs. It also means less resistance to stress from insects, diseases and heat. Proper cutting is the single, most important key . . .

Posted: 2016-05-27

Here comes the bloom

Mandevilla instantly recognizable for its climbing, twining habits

Plant breeding innovations in mandevilla have changed forever the way we look at it in our gardens. A genus of tropical flowering vines native to south and Central America, mandevilla is instantly recognizable for its climbing, twining habits. An annual . . .

Posted: 2016-05-21

Sold & Offered

With so many homes to choose from on the market these days, sellers are always looking for ways to make their home stand out. Surefire tips include pricing it realistically, performing key updates and pouring all kinds of thought — . . .

Posted: 2016-05-21

National conference provides valuable insight

I recently attended the national business meetings and conference of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association. Each session provided enough material to fill numerous columns; however, I thought I’d share a few nuggets of information gleaned from the meetings.Michael Collins-Williams of . . .

Posted: 2016-05-21