If you have old cans of paint stashed in your basement or garage that you don’t how to get rid of, there’s good news for you. Illinois residents can now recycle latex and oil-based architectural paint products at numerous retail hardware and paint stores, including in Springfield and surrounding communities. This is due to the […]
Home & Garden
Posted inHome & Garden
Easy refreshes for spring
According to the daffodils and tulips popping up outdoors, we made it through another Midwest winter! Now that we are surrounded by more green plants and sunshine, many people start to feel the urge to shake off those winter blues and let the bright light in. And while the impulse to do a full-blown spring […]
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Recycle your household batteries
Illinois residents can now conveniently recycle household batteries. As a result of legislation that took effect Jan. 1, Illinois has a battery stewardship program. Lowe’s in Springfield and Home Depot in Jacksonville are examples of places where people can take household batteries to be recycled at no charge. The Portable and Medium Format Battery […]
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Home & Garden Events 2026
ONGOING Spring Migration Bird Hikes Tuesdays, 8-9 a.m., through May 12. Matt Hales of the Illinois Audubon Society will lead hikes looking for migratory species as well as resident species. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 Clear Lake Ave., 217-544-2473. April Nature Walks Saturdays in April, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nature lovers can enjoy guided […]
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Spring Home & Garden 2026
This year’s Spring Home & Garden issue has 10 easy projects you can tackle to freshen up your home, tips on container gardening, new options to recycle paint and batteries and more. Plus, find a special calendar of upcoming home and garden events.
Posted inHome & Garden
Year-round container gardeningÂ
Container gardening offers a practical and beautiful solution for growing flowers, vegetables and herbs in central Illinois where weather extremes and limited space often challenge traditional gardening. For leafy edibles, start with herbs and salad greens, which tolerate a wide range of light conditions from windowsill to kitchen garden and actually favor a little shade […]
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New community garden available at Hobbs Park
The Springfield Park District is transforming former baseball fields into a community garden at Hobbs Park, located south of Bunn Park near the intersection of Fox Bridge Road and Culver Avenue. Building on the success of the Jefferson Park Community Garden, this new initiative will provide a community garden serving the east side of Springfield. […]
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2025 Home and Garden
This year’s Spring Home & Garden issue looks at remodeling trends, DIY household cleaners, upcoming plant sales and seed swaps, and more. Make your list now for the projects you plan to tackle this spring. Related Stories
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Home and Garden Calendar
Ongoing Spring Migration Bird Hikes Thursdays, 8-9:30am. Through May 15. Matt Hayes of the Illinois Audubon Society will lead hikes looking for migratory species as well as resident species. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 Clear Lake Ave., 217-544-2473. April April Wildflower Walks Saturdays in April, 10am and 2pm. Guided walks on Elkhart Hill presented by […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Changing your world
In 2011, Chad Pregracke received a standing ovation from four former U.S. presidents at the Kennedy Center while accepting the Points of Light Award. The short introductory film shown at this ceremony documented Pregracke, founder of Living Lands and Waters, fighting to improve the health of the Mississippi River by removing trash and inspiring others […]
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DIY products for spring cleaning
It doesn’t take a bevy of bought cleaners to get your home sparkling clean. In fact, you probably already have the ingredients on hand in your pantry to make a myriad of effective cleaners. Whether you’re looking to save money or reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals, these easy-to-prepare solutions will have you wondering why […]
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Plan your home improvement projects
Whether it’s adding outdoor spaces for relaxation, adding another room for functionality, changing aesthetics to update the look of your home or making improvements for energy efficiency and savings on utility bills, this is the time of year to get it done. Griffitts Construction and Buraski Builders are both family-owned and operated businesses that have […]
