Perennials are flowers, vines and ornamental grasses that are planted once and continue to return each year, gracing our gardens with beautiful color throughout the spring, summer and fall. The National Garden Association reserves the term perennial for plants that live more than two years. Perennials frequently seen in central Illinois include purple coneflower, hosta, […]
Home & Garden
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Fried milkweed pods
“I will meet up with Bertha Bus at the Rapid River Mini Mart and will lead you to the Inn. You’ll never find it on your own. The last 10 miles are on an unpaved dirt logging road.” Hidden away in Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is Milkweed Inn, the latest project from […]
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Spring Home & Garden 2020
Most of us are spending a lot more time at home these days, so perhaps you’ve been compiling a list of projects you want to tackle. Our annual spring Home & Garden issue offers tips on decluttering and minor home projects you can tackle yourself or ideas for spending that stimulus check to spruce up […]
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The buzz on urban bees
Urban beekeeping is a growing trend. It may seem odd to many to keep bees in an urban area, but bees in cities are actually more likely than rural bees to survive the winter as well as Colony Collapse Disorder (the main culprit of bee decline). This is due to the more varied diet and […]
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Victory gardens
In unsettled times, people often turn to gardening, not only to provide for peace of mind, but also the sense of security that growing one’s own food can nurture. A backyard garden can create a place of tranquility and calm, putting hands into earth and observing biological life going about their animal ways free of […]
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Easy updates you can do yourself
So you’ve been dreaming of updating your home, but the cost of new flooring or a kitchen remodel doesn’t fit your budget? Don’t despair. There are lots of ways to revitalize and update your home without breaking the bank. Check out these simple updates and fixes that will give your home a fresh new look, […]
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Home fixups on a budget
Spring is finally here and it is prime time for home projects. Since you have been looking at the inside of your home for more than a month, it’s likely you have come up with some ideas to give your home a facelift, make it more enjoyable, or maybe even prepare it for sale. Perhaps […]
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Home and Garden directory
Apple Barn 2290 E. Walnut St., Chatham 217-483-6236 applebarn.net Seasonal flowers, perennials and garden supplies. Archer Creek Landscaping 7025 W. Iles Ave., New Berlin 217-502-0089 archercreeklandscaping.com Landscaping services, outdoor kitchens, garden beds, lighting and containers. Artisan Stone 2475 Peerless Mine Road, Springfield 217-697-8433 artisanstoneproducts.net Offering walk-through displays in a park-like setting to view the available […]
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Time to declutter
Time is usually the biggest factor limiting our ability to declutter, but one of the silver linings of the COVID-19 epidemic is that we finally have time to do big projects. So tackle the garage, the basement or overflowing closets. The steps to decluttering and then organizing are the same for large projects and small. […]
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Growing plants indoors versus outdoors
I’m not the only one with a brown thumb. However, most people I know don’t have an existential crisis about it. But worry plagued me for months as I watched my plants perish. When I told a friend about my inner turmoil, he just laughed. He didn’t even notice a tree in his office had […]
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10 hot decor trends for fall
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 […]
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Plant your native garden this fall
If you missed the window for planting native plants in your garden this spring, don’t worry. You still have time to get them in the ground in the fall. “Growing native plants is a great way to benefit the environment, wildlife and bring some interesting and beautiful plants to your garden,” said Gemini Bhalsod, University […]
