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Debbie Travis: Propane patio heaters a good choice

Debbie Travis: Propane patio heaters a good choice

Dear Debbie:We enjoy our backyard almost all year round. Even when it’s cold and snowy, my husband barbecues outside. It’s a large yard in the country with beautiful views.
Straw removes strawberry stems

Straw removes strawberry stems

Dear Reena:I pack strawberries in little plastic containers for school lunches. What’s the easiest way to remove the stems? Lindsey Insert a plastic straw into the bottom of the strawberry.
House Beautiful: Change of scenery on Sidney waterfront

House Beautiful: Change of scenery on Sidney waterfront

When Sandy and Bill Haun bought a vacation home last year on Sidney’s waterfront — a condo in the Residences at the Pier — they made a conscious decision not to have it look anything like their large and classically stylish house back in Saskatchewan
Helen Chesnut: Autumn is the true new year of the gardener

Helen Chesnut: Autumn is the true new year of the gardener

As the days go by during September, a familiar seasonal sense of winding down and dreaming of new beginnings takes hold. Spent plantings are cleaned out of the garden, compost heaps built and tended, plots tidied.
Debbie Travis: Update a room with trim, moulding

Debbie Travis: Update a room with trim, moulding

I am often asked for ideas that will customize a room and what details can be added to personalize a home and take it to the next level. One solution that works for all styles is to create interest with trims and mouldings.

Reena Nerbas: Deck-stain mishap calls for bleaching agent

Dear Reena: My partner was staining something on our deck and he accidentally splattered stain on the vinyl siding, cement walkway and the composite deck. How should we proceed? Karen One option is to try the organic compound Oxalic Acid.
Helen Chesnut: Powdery mildew hits in late summer

Helen Chesnut: Powdery mildew hits in late summer

Dear Helen: Is there anything I can do to eliminate the mould on my squash plants?S.B. At this point, at summer’s end, I’d leave the plants to die down naturally. Clean away the spent plants well once the squashes have been harvested.

Condo Smarts: Hire a consultant before start of strata project

Dear Tony: Our strata is replacing the roof of our highrise and the property manager and strata council are recommending one contractor to do the work.
House Beautiful: Paradise down by the estuary

House Beautiful: Paradise down by the estuary

Thirty-five years ago, Susan Down noticed an intriguing advertisement for a summer cottage at Cowichan. She mentioned it to her husband, Bob, and his first thought was, “I’m not moving,” but he decided to check it out.
Helen Chesnut: Blooms speak of gentle seasonal shift

Helen Chesnut: Blooms speak of gentle seasonal shift

For gardeners, each part of the year and every change of season comes clearly marked by signature plants. In my garden, a winter daphne beside the carport welcomes spring in a cloud of fragrance.