You've got mail

Navigating the online realm of Canada's top mail-order plant nurseries

How easy is it to shop for plants online, and what should you expect when your purchases arrive? Some mail-order companies such as Winnipeg’s T&T Seeds ship plants as bare-root or dormant, while others ship plants that are leafed out . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Commercial kitchen tips for the home

Patrick Sutton has designed many residential kitchens and worked with chefs in designing restaurant kitchens. He says consumers can learn from how commercial kitchens are laid out to accommodate food storage, preparation of ingredients, cooking, plating, dish washing and trash . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Renovation seminar great place to kick off spring projects

Hopefully, you were one of the thousands of people who took advantage of the Ask a Renovator booth at the recent Winnipeg Home and Garden Show.Various RenoMark renovator members of the Manitoba Home Builders Association were available for free 15 . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Understanding the growth rate of trees

Those of us who like to look at trees admire all sizes and forms of them. But, did you know all species of trees have different rates of growth?A mature native cottonwood and a mature bur oak could be the . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Protecting wildlife an important consideration

Question: After reading your recent articles regarding sealing chimneys, I am concerned whether you understand the implications of your recommendations in regards to chimney swifts? Chimneys can be very significant habitat for this threatened species and any capping removes the . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Softer side of colour

Subtle hues making decorating comeback

In spite of the warmer weather, there’s no better time to chill. Calm and relaxing living spaces are all the rage in home decor this season, with trendy walls sporting soft and subtle colours, according to leading brand Sico paint . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Don't shoot: scare woodpecker away with plastic owl

Question: A banging sound woke me up at 5 a.m. every day this week; I now realize that a woodpecker is pecking my satellite dish. What can I do to stop him? I can’t sleep (the words BB gun come . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Creative concept

La Salle's Prairie Place offers solid designs with affordable prices

It’s something young families covet: a move-up home with more space and creature comforts.However, many families simply can’t make that move due to a critical issue – many so-called "move-up" homes fall just outside what they can comfortably afford to . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Cavernous condo

Immaculate townhome packed with space, style and function

The typical knock on condominiums — whether they be apartment-style or townhome-style — is a lack of space.And that’s understandable. If you’re an empty nester downsizing to a 1, 000 square foot condominium from a 2, 000-sq.-ft. home, trying to . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

The queen of vines

Clematis belongs to a genus of more than 250 species around the world

Even if you are not growing clematis in your garden, most likely you are familiar with Jackmanii clematis. The most popular clematis variety in the world, Jackmanii, with its prolific royal purple blooms, traces its proud lineage to the mid-1800s . . .

Posted: 2016-04-02