Home and Garden
-
Mulch around trees to protect them from damageJul 16, 2017 6:00 am - Trees planted in lawns can benefit from a mulched ring to reduce competition with grass roots and keep mowers and weed whips from damaging trunks. If the tree is small, ...
-
Give your fireplace its summer makeoverJul 16, 2017 6:00 am - Bringing summer to your fireplace could be as simple as putting away your tool set and wood holder. Just looking at that stuff can make you feel hot. Or you could cook u...
-
Style your patio to match your interiorJul 15, 2017 6:00 am - For some folks, a few white plastic chairs around a fire ring are all it takes to spruce up the patio for maximum use and enjoyment. Others, including Anne LoCascio of E...
-
Readers voice strong consensus on fence vs. hedgeJul 15, 2017 6:00 am - A few weeks ago, a reader wrote in to ask about whether to replace a long-standing hedge around his corner property with a picket fence for the cost of about $5,000. He ...
-
Manufactured housing market has good and bad sidesJul 15, 2017 6:00 am - It has been more than 10 years since I last looked at the market for manufactured housing, my excuse being that nothing much had happened that justified another look. Bu...
-
Tax overhaul plans in summertime slow motionJul 14, 2017 6:00 am - WASHINGTON - If you're a tax-savvy homeowner, buyer or investor, you might be wondering: Hey, what's going on with that big tax code overhaul bill the Trump administrati...
-
Disclosure problems after escrow closingJul 14, 2017 6:00 am - Q. We sold our home about six months ago and are now worried about an undisclosed defect. Before selling the property, we did some remodeling work and installed a forced...
-
What makes a plant a weed?Jul 13, 2017 11:00 pm - "Is that a good plant?" a woman asked me, pointing to a trailside flower during a nature walk. I paused and smiled. "I mean," she stuttered, sensing that the answer wa...
-
Build your own garden border in under 4 hours for less than $200Jul 13, 2017 12:00 am - A garden border creates an eye-catching barrier between your garden and the rest of your outdoor living space. There are a variety of border designs to choose from; it ...
-
Northern Kane County Wild Ones to offer garden tour July 22Jul 10, 2017 11:00 pm - On Saturday, July 22, members of the Northern Kane County Wild Ones will be offered a garden tour at Noel and April M. Williams home in Algonquin. Meet at 10 a.m. at the...