Home & Garden

Upscale Collectible SaleApr 13-14, 5pm-8pm Fri, 8am-12:30pm Sat. Featuring bargains on new and gently used items, plus a book and record nook, kids’ corner and bake sale. All proceeds support Animal Protective League’s homeless dogs and cats. $5 per person. apl-shelter.org. 544-7387. The old HH Gregg building, 2501 Wabash Ave. Trivia NightApr 13, 7pm Fri. […]

Gardeners may be familiar with the sense of calm and peace that can come from relaxing in a patch of fragrant and colorful flowers. It’s little wonder that the gardens have been harnessed for their therapeutic effects. “Horticultural therapy is about people, not the plants,” says University of Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener program director, Mike […]

The fall foliage show of reds, yellows and golds will be beginning shortly in many parts of Illinois, and then will be finishing up before we know it. One good freeze up north will take care of any more fall color as the leaves come down, left in the landscape and on the lawn. If […]

Nature journaling enhances the outdoor or garden experience, while building a more positive and personal connection with nature. “I use nature journaling as a creative form of self-expression, but I find that it also promotes relaxation and calmness,” says Rhonda Ferree, horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension. Many people journal. In its most basic […]

Driving across Illinois in 2017, it can be difficult to imagine what the landscape looked like when Illinois was nicknamed the “Prairie State.” With the plight of pollinators in the public mind, many are looking for ways to reestablish prairies as a habitat for pollinators. The prairie is an ecosystem that can support a large […]

It’s been a great summer, but don’t let the pleasant weather catch you off guard. It’s time to prepare your home for the fall and winter weather to come. 1. Clean the exterior glass. As the weather cools it becomes more difficult to dry the windows because cold air cannot hold as much moisture as […]

The changing of the leaves has us daydreaming over new home hues. From jewel tones to oversaturated oranges, autumnal tones bring a burst of drama and natural allure to any space. As interior revamps go, switching up paint colors via a bold accent wall or full-blown makeover is a cost-effective and wildly transformative design project. […]

Fall is a popular time to enjoy the outdoors, especially with the magic of the change of seasons. The summer is a time when many homeowners may wish to start thinking about fall improvements, especially while the weather is still warm. If you are looking for some ideas for ways to spruce up your home, […]

Fountains have been around since Roman times. In the ancient world, they were purely functional, employing springs or aqueducts to provide water for drinking, bathing and cleaning to even the smallest villages. Modest, centrally located and fed by gravity, public fountains were the focus of a simple communal existence. Fountains went upscale when modern plumbing […]

Introduction to BonsaiApr 19, 6-9pm. Introduction to the basic styles and principles of bonsai. Gain hands-on experience styling and potting your own bonsai. Registration. $25. web.extension.illinois.edu. University of Illinois Extension, 700 S. Airport Dr., 782-4617. Springfield Jaycees Annual Lawnmower ClinicApr 22, 9am-1pm. Inspection to check filters, change spark plugs, sharpen blades and change oil as […]

On March 7, 1929, visionary Harriet Knudson, known as Mrs. T. J. Knudson, hosted a meeting of Springfield residents at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel to establish a club dedicated to creating beauty and conserving the city’s wildlife and natural resources. By the end of the month, a new garden club with the motto “A More […]

Do you give flowers to your loved one on holidays and birthdays? Flowers are a great way to communicate your love and affection, and some can convey a specific message, according to a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension. “Flowers can represent everything from friendship to true love,” says Rhonda Ferree. “For example, chrysanthemums […]