In the Garden: Saving money in the garden
UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 19, 2019, 5:16 p.m.
I recently asked my Facebook page followers what they do to garden economically. I wanted to share their wonderful responses with you today.
Home and garden
Fall design: 10 hot decor trends
Sat., Aug. 10, 2019, 11 a.m.
Every so often the furniture industry rolls out the red carpet and rolls in their new lines for a new season. The Las Vegas Market, dedicated to the home furnishings industry, held one of its twice-a-year market shows in July. Unveiled were some of the hot new trends you will likely see translated and interpreted in home decor this fall. Looking for some ideas? Here are 10 hot trends that caught our eye.
Ask the Builder: How we used to stay cool
Sat., Aug. 10, 2019, 5 a.m.
You may be one of the tens of millions of people who suffered in the blistering heatwave that gripped the Eastern USA in July. I happen to live in central New Hampshire, and it was a withering 91 F with a dew point near 70 F on a recent weekend. That’s rare for this part of the nation, and I know it’s much hotter in other locations. Summer heat is nothing new. Not by a long shot. If you dig deep into weather history and connect it to homes and how our ancestors survived, you’ll discover that builders and homeowners discovered how to cope with the heat and humidity.
Gardening: Impact of cooler summer showing in gardens
Thu., Aug. 8, 2019, 5 a.m.
We are over halfway through the summer, so it’s time to clear my desk of gardening tidbits.
In the Garden: Teachers bring artistic flair to South Hill garden
Sat., Aug. 3, 2019, 1 p.m.
When two artistic gardeners collaborate, the result is a lovely landscape that is a feast for the eyes. Such is the case with John and Pat Hagney’s garden.
Expert in linens offers rules to dress your table
Sat., Aug. 3, 2019, 10 a.m.
Jane Scott Hodges knows something about table linens. The founder of the luxury company Leontine Linens works directly with interior designers and also is the author of “Linens: For Every Room and Occasion,” which shows many of the tables and beds she has designed and has lots of useful information on the care of sheets, towels and tablecloths.
Ask the Builder: Selecting exterior paint colors is confounding for some
Sat., Aug. 3, 2019, 6 a.m.
Q. Please help me, Tim! I’m trying to select a new color for the outside of my house. Looking at samples on a brochure, I’m frozen and unable to make a decision. I don’t want to make a mistake. Please share a few tips that can relieve my anxiety like ice cream satisfies my sweet tooth. – Deb M., Turtle Lake, North Dakota A. You’re not alone. Color selection stymies lots of people, including me! The ability to visualize different and complementary colors over large areas, like the outside of a home, is a gift. Treasure it if you have it.
Gardening: With basics, your yard can be haven for wildlife
Thu., Aug. 1, 2019, 5 a.m.
You don’t need to live in the woods or have lots of space to have a wildlife-friendly garden.
In the Garden: Loire Valley chateau exudes elegance inside and out
Sat., July 27, 2019, 1 p.m.
If I had to choose one word to sum up the Loire Valley’s Chateau de Chenonceau, it would be “elegant.” In June, I led a tour of France’s most beautiful gardens and chateaus. Of all of the places we visited, it’s fair to say Chenonceau was a favorite of the 24 travelers who joined me.
Ask the Builder: Installing drywall requires more muscle and skill than you might think
Sat., July 27, 2019, 5 a.m.
Lots of books have been written about the craft of drywall installation and finishing. One of the best is “The Gypsum Construction Handbook” published by USG Corp., one of the top manufacturers of drywall and finishing compounds.
Gardening: Seek out good advice when problem arises
Thu., July 25, 2019, 5 a.m.
I hate it when I have to tell a gardener that they have to yank out a plant because of an incurable disease. It’s even worse when it’s your brother.
In the Garden: Proper staking, consistent watering key to best tomatoes
Sat., July 20, 2019, 1 p.m.
For many gardeners, the most challenging aspect of growing tomatoes is planting them at the right time in the spring so they won’t get nailed by an unexpected frost. But now that they’re happily growing, this is the time to be diligent in caring for them.
Custom wood kennels, memory foam beds: The wild world of modern pet furniture
Sat., July 20, 2019, 10 a.m.
For discerning pet owners who treat their cats and dogs like family – in some cases better than family – designers are creating stylish, even glamorous, furniture.
Gardening: Careful pruning, shaping an ancient art: Bonsai sale will showcase area hobbyists’ work
Thu., July 18, 2019, 5 a.m.
On Sunday, July 21, Roger Snipes and other members of the Inland Empire Bonsai Society (IEBS) will share their creations with the community during the group’s annual show at the Manito Park Meeting Room just east of the Gaiser Conservatory.
Ask The Builder: Don’t underestimate the difficulty of installing concrete
Sat., July 13, 2019, 4 p.m.
Q. I plan to install a concrete patio during my vacation. It’s going to measure 14 feet by 30 feet. I’ve watched lots of online videos and paid attention to cable-TV shows and now feel emboldened. What can go wrong and how much help do you think I’ll need. I’ve never done a job like this and feel it’s doable. What advice can you add to the mix? – Ronnie S., Tyler, Texas A. This question reminds me of the can’t-fail spirit I relied on early in my career when I tried to do something new. It’s important to remember that back then there were no online videos or cable-TV shows to instill a dangerous sense of bravado.
Upcycled Life: Plastic bottle vase
Sat., July 13, 2019, noon
Take any PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottle and melt it with a heat gun and then add texture with a soldering iron. The results are reminiscent of blown glass and certainly a lot of fun to make.
In the Garden: Creative garden pest control
Sat., July 13, 2019, 11 a.m.
Find creative ways to keep the pests away from a flourishing garden.
Gardening: Nine Mile Falls display has it made in the shade; retired postmasters win June Garden of the Month
Thu., July 11, 2019, 5 a.m.
Shade is always a challenge for gardeners, and it takes some creativity to build a colorful garden with only the sun that filters through the pine trees.
In the Garden: For North Idaho gardeners featured on annual tour, garden inspiration comes from above
Sat., July 6, 2019, noon
Garden-lovers, take note: the highly anticipated Coeur d’Alene Garden Tour is set for July 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature five outstanding private gardens, with two in Post Falls and three in Coeur d’Alene. This year’s theme is “plant happiness.”
Ask the Builder: Installing plywood panel will protect pocket doors
Sat., July 6, 2019, 10 a.m.
Q. I’m planning to install a few pocket doors in my new home. I already know at these locations I’ll have heavy mirrors and artwork on the walls where the door slides in and out of the pocket. I’m afraid the small anchors I will have to use will fail over time and the things will come crashing to the floor. What can I do to strengthen the wall to accept a traditional screw or two that won’t pull out? – Connie B., Eugene, Oregon A. You’re not the first person to be faced with this situation with pocket doors. The danger is you might scratch a door because you put in an anchor, a screw or nail too far that created a nasty blemish on the door as it slides into the pocket.