| Proper installation key to HVAC operation |
Getting the most out of a new heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system starts with choosing the one that's right for your home and making sure it's installed properly.
Monday, August 30, 2010 |
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| Light the night |
As the days grow shorter, outdoor lighting can extend your enjoyment of fall evenings and can brighten the view even after the snow falls.
Monday, August 30, 2010 |
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| It's tomato time, even if you don't have a garden |
Edible gardening has become a cultural phenomenon. Interest in saving money at the grocery store and the desire to have better-tasting fruits and vegetables have sparked an increase in home gardening.
Monday, June 07, 2010 |
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| Don't let spring cleaning dirty the environment |
When walking through the cleaning aisle of a grocery or discount store, most people are looking for products that will keep their home clean - but have they thought about products that can help keep their home "green?"
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 |
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| Children and garage door safety |
Teaching young children how to spell the word "door" may offer an additional lesson about garage door safety.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 |
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| Tips for clearing the clutter at home |
Getting organized to cut clutter in your home can be easier than you might think-and the benefits of being organized could extend beyond a tidy house.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 |
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| Up the garden path |
Inspiring photos of a variety of gardens, from natural to formal, family-friendly to mixed-use.
Monday, May 24, 2010 |
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| Seeding knowledge: 'hybrid' and 'open-pollinated' |
It's a distinction that can trip up even the well-informed.
"I don't know what I did wrong," said a perplexed biology teacher. She'd taken some tomato seeds -- right out of the tomato -- to her class during their unit on seeds. The group planted them, watered them, and got nothing. Not a tendril, not a hint of green, from what's well-known to be one of the easiest types of plants to raise from seed.
Thursday, May 13, 2010 |
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| Timing is everything for crabgrass control |
In Minnesota, both large and smooth crabgrass are the two species that invade our lawns. Both species are annuals and grow most vigorously following germination in the late spring through mid-summer.
Thursday, May 13, 2010 |
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| Plant a container veggie garden from seed |
Growing your own food isn't just for people with big back yards. By planting in containers, you can grow an abundant and nutritious harvest right on your porch or deck, all from a few inexpensive packets of seeds.
Thursday, May 13, 2010 |
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| A Goldilocks approach to lawn care |
If this were a normal Minnesota May, we would just now be emerging from winter hibernation, still living in fear of one last spring snowstorm. This year, however, we may as well be in South Carolina. To look at our lawns, you would think it was June, and most people in my neighborhood have already mowed at least once.
Thursday, May 13, 2010 |
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| A complete renovation |
A work injury a few years ago put Maplewood resident Mike Wilke in continual pain that he is gradually learning to manage.
Although he now uses a cane and a wheelchair when he has long distances to travel, he doesn't allow his disability to hold him back. He continues to volunteer at his son's school and perform magic tricks.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 |
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| Factoring in 'green' with flooring choices |
Don't let anyone tell you it's not easy being green. When it comes to floor covering, making a "green" choice is easier than ever.
Friday, April 16, 2010 |
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| Movin' on up - without moving at all |
There are plenty of reasons people are staying put in their homes longer than they intended.
The real-estate market, of course, is the reason for some. Others, though, may have found a neighborhood where people feel like family.
Friday, April 16, 2010 |
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| How to set a home-improvement budget |
When it comes to projects addressing a home's interior, homeowners know full well the bottom line plays a big role. For the unprepared homeowner tackling a first do-it-yourself project, costs can quickly escalate out of control.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 |
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| Grow gardens the easy way -- from seed |
Seeds are nature's miracles -- they're little packets of energy just waiting for you to plant them. Once they're planted, they quickly transform from rock-hard little nuggets into lush, green plants exploding with life.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 |
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| Spring cleaning surface guide |
Every surface in and around the home requires special attention. Before reaching for the all-purpose cleaner, consider each surface and which product formulations will best clean, protect and prolong its life.
Monday, March 29, 2010 |
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| Quick jobs that can make a difference when selling |
Whether you're looking to sell your home or simply make improvements, chances are finances are a big consideration before you can go forward with any project.
Monday, March 29, 2010 |
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| Remodeling? Why contractors, not homeowners should pull permits |
If a contractor asks a homeowner to pull his or her own permits, that should be a red flag for a homeowner to find a different remodeler, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Relying on a contractor to navigate the permitting process can save homeowners time, money and stress.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 |
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| Put the freeze on heating costs |
A few simple steps could help you cut energy use and save on heating costs this winter.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 |
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| Tips for first-time home buyers |
Given the bad times that have occurred in real estate prices lately, many first-time buyers may be wondering if this is a good time to enter the market.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 |
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| Low-cost projects can yield high-class looks
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If you have big design dreams but are working with a small budget, no fear - you don't have to sacrifice style and professional-looking results.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 |
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| Changing seasons mean time to keep up with home safety
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With autumn already here and the winter months quickly approaching, it's a sure bet we will soon be putting away the lawn furniture and croquet sets and spending more time indoors.
In October it's commonplace to see folks out raking leaves, covering the rose bushes and sealing up windows. Among the myriad of "getting ready for winter" chores, local authorities advise homeowners to not overlook two safety devices - carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
Thursday, October 15, 2009 |
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