Spring Home and Garden

DIY Comes Down to Earth Updated: Mon, Mar 22, 2010 Rooted in sweat equity, the new home-improvement movement guides homeowners through a budget-strapped 2009 Catch the wave: A faltering economy can create unforeseen possibilities. Home-improvement veteran Kirsten Kemp Becker encourages homeowners to take advantage of DIY opportunities, while also being mindful... Read More

DIY or Don’t Updated: Mon, Mar 22, 2010 Home-improvement projects don’t always go as planned. Here’s how to figure out when to put down the tools and call in a pro. Easy does it: Great DIY ideas are flooding the market, like detailed mirror frames that turn boring bathroom “before” shots into fashionable focal points. Finishing Touches:... Read More

Let there be light. Updated: Mon, Mar 22, 2010 CSA International, a testing and certification organization, offers advice on what to look for when purchasing compact fluorescent bulbs. Choose the bulb that best suits the fixture. Spiral-type bulbs may be used in almost every fixture. CFLs with globes are available in various sizes and shapes. They look... Read More

Your place: Some cracking is normal in redone stucco work Published: Wed, Mar 24, 2010 Q: Two years ago, we moved to a 5-year-old townhouse. Last year, the builder initiated a project of inspecting all the stucco exteriors for moisture penetration into the exterior sheathing and studs underneath. Many inspected units, including ours, were found to have damage attributed to improper application of the... Read More

Products provide fixes Updated: Fri, Mar 19, 2010 He gave Rosie O'Donnell a Miracle Whip facial. He persuaded Barbara Walters to wear a diaper drenched in water on her head. Wayne Brady soaked his stinky feet in Jell-O while his face soaked in a Pepto-Bismol mask. Joey Green may not be a household name, but he has come up with some creative uses for many household... Read More

This rose guide will have you in blooms all summer long. Updated: Fri, Mar 19, 2010 "Right Rose, Right Place" By Peter Schneider (Storey Publishing, $29.95) What it is: Pretty much, "Right Rose, Right Place" is the armchair version of running off to rose school for the winter. In this charm-packed compendium of all you need to know about picking the right rose for the right spot in your... Read More

Expert tips for creating a beautiful landscape Updated: Mon, Mar 22, 2010 Landscaping success doesn't have to be hit or miss, and if it has been for you, it may be time to call in a professional landscape designer. Why? Because in the long run, hiring a landscape designer can cost less than doing it yourself. You'll get a "doable" design created right the first time, saving you the... Read More

Enhancing home curb appeal can be done inexpensively Updated: Fri, Mar 19, 2010 Selling your home in a difficult market means taking extra steps to present it to potential buyers. Going the extra mile to make your home attractive means making sure it's perfect inside and out. Kitchens and bathrooms may sell a house, as real estate experts have preached for years, but in today's market it... Read More

It's time for spring cleaning Published: Wed, Mar 24, 2010 Winter is almost over, and it's time to get into spring-cleaning mode. Spring cleaning your gardens and yard is important so that new plants can emerge. Here are some tips from Stihl for getting your outdoor areas ready for the growing season: Rake and blow leaves that may have matted or accumulated on the lawn or... Read More

Recession helps restore demand for repair shops Updated: Fri, Mar 19, 2010 Lynn Brown says she has broken video game consoles "stacked up to her ears." But that's a good thing. Brown is owner of PSP Repair Service in Oklahoma City, a business that fixes PlayStation Portable and Xbox video game players. Economic troubles have brought many new customers to her door, so many that... Read More