Home & Garden

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Many people decide to upgrade from their apartments or condominiums out of a need for more space. But even after moving into a new home, homeowners may soon begin to outgrow the room they have. Rather than looking for a new home, some homeowners consider expansion. Expanding a living space […]

PHOTO BY ERIK CAMPOS/TNS With the change of seasons, there are many different activities that take place in the garden during this time of year, according to University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “In addition to planting spring-flowering bulbs, it’s also time to plant garlic,” said Ken Johnson. “Because garlic requires a cold period to […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Taking a walk in cool, crisp weather, attending football games, picking apples and choosing the perfect pumpkin are some quintessential activities for the fall, said University of Illinois horticulture educator Ron Wolford. “Planting bulbs is probably the number one garden activity that takes place in the fall, but there are […]

Have you ever admired the vibrant colors of spring flowers and wondered how to create this beauty in your own landscape?  “The time to plant for spring bloomers is now,” said University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Jennifer Nelson.   “Every spring at least one person asks me where they can purchase spring flowers for […]

Do your eyes glaze over as you read home composting recipes? Do you wonder if an advanced degree in chemistry is necessary to make respectable home compost? “Home composting is no more complicated than baking a cake,” said University of Illinois Extension educator Sandy Mason. “Once a gardener understands the basic principles of home composting, […]

Sustainable Springfield Incorporated has announced its newest sustainability program for area small businesses, The Greenest of Springfield Awards. The program aims to raise awareness for businesses that are already nurturing the environmentally friendly development of our city, and champion their successes to encourage other businesses to take up the cause as well. The pilot program […]

Time saved and a professional job are just two of the reasons homeowners hire lawn care companies. The flowers are blooming, and the grass has begun to grow anew, making spring a great time for homeowners to once again turn their attention to landscaping. Those who aren’t looking forward to dusting off their lawnmowers and […]

Finding space to install an extra bathroom in a home can be a worthwhile investment. Homeowners choose renovation projects for a variety of reasons. Although many improvements are made to increase functionality and comfort of a home, several others are seen as worthwhile investments. These investments can add up to a higher resale value when […]

Historic-home renovations require additional planning and a bigger budget than newer homes. Living in an historic home can be a labor of love. The history and the distinct architecture of historic homes draw buyers to such properties, but what historic homes have in regard to history they often lack in the conveniences of modern life, […]

An overhead sewer system raises the lowest opening in a home’s plumbing to be well above the level of an overflowing sewer, which prevents water and sewage from escaping the system and causing a mess. April showers bring May flowers, and they can also bring nasty basement flooding. Springfield’s older neighborhoods face an increased risk […]

According to Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report,” a major kitchen remodeling project should enable homeowners to recoup 74.2 percent of their initial investments. Kitchen renovations have long been a safe way to improve the functionality and value of a home. But not every kitchen project is a guaranteed winner. Homeowners may inadvertently make changes […]

Extreme weather events in every season now are thrashing, burning, flooding and flattening many homes into rubble, and such storms are making many homeowners wonder what would happen to their homes if they were in the path of such destructive winds. The frequency of severe storms is giving us one more reason to build with […]