Home and garden

Climate change is bringing new insect pests into our gardens.

You may not know this, but I received a bachelor of science degree in geology many moons ago. I was fascinated by the topic, and it helped me build houses and buildings that would not fail. Hydrogeology, the study of groundwater, and continental glaciation were two subjects that have allowed me to solve wet basement problems for thousands of homeowners like you.

Last week’s column was on the schedule you should follow when planting vegetable seeds indoors. This week’s column is on the process of setting up and planting your seeds.

When designing a kitchen, it’s normal to obsess over appliances, cabinets and counters. But there’s another element that deserves just as much attention: the backsplash.

It’s that magical time of year. The International Builders and Kitchen and Bath shows are just weeks away in Las Vegas. There are only a few convention centers in the USA large enough to house all of the exhibitors.

The holidays are over, winter is trying to settle in and that means garden planning season.

On a recent fall morning, Ben Taylor Lebowitz neatly made his bed, placing each throw pillow in its rightful place; threw on a sweater and hat; lit a eucalyptus-scented candle; and hit the “espresso” button on his sleek coffee maker. Lebowitz, 35, the founder of a pet portrait company, was filming a video of his morning routine for his hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.

Limited outdoor growing space or cold winters may have you missing fresh homegrown vegetables. Make this the winter you try growing a few vegetables in a sunny window or under artificial lights.

My central New Hampshire town, much to my dismay, uses rock salt to fight ice and snow on the roads. Yes, it works, but it also corrodes cars and trucks. The salt also creates anxiety for many a homeowner in the spring. They think their garages have a horrible toxic mold bloom.

With our recent weather, I’ve been wondering if I had been transported back to the West Side where I grew up.

People turn to professional organizers or interior designers to help them make a disorganized or disappointing space more efficient or aesthetically appealing. And those experts often come through with ideas that turn out to be transformative.

It’s likely you’ve been inside a house that is surrounded by spectacular scenery. You may have stayed at a resort like the one in Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park. Perhaps you’ve stayed in the Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.

And so, the 2025 gardening season begins. So, what are the leading gardening trends to look for this year?

If you own a lot of books, it’s great to have a place to celebrate and enjoy them. That’s why a home library can be so appealing: It’s a welcoming retreat where you can appreciate and be inspired by volumes you’ve collected over the years.

I grew up reading Superman comic books. One of his superpowers was X-ray vision. He could see through opaque objects to detect danger. I was mesmerized by this power.

As children grow from newborns to toddlers to elementary school and beyond, their rooms need to change with them. From a crib to a twin bed, from a changing table to a desk for homework, the room transforms with your child. Sharon McCormick, of Sharon McCormick Design, gave some tips and tricks on how to save money while your child’s bedroom grows with them. “There’s no doubt that the ...

As we say goodbye to 2024, Spokane gardeners are also saying goodbye to a venerable institution that has played a big role in promoting the joy of gardening in the region.

Water drainage is misunderstood by many homeowners, builders, YouTube personalities and building inspectors, if my email in-box is any indicator. I’ve lost count of the thousands of drainage help requests entered on the Ask Tim page of my AsktheBuilder.com website.