Robert Sterling’s neat craftsmanship remained a selling point 146 years after he laid the stone for the small cottage at 1117 Connecticut St. Warren Hays and Melody Stratton purchased the house in June 2015, after moving to Lawrence from the Washington, D.C., area for Stratton’s job at the ...

Gardeners and garden guides often refer to “raised beds” as a method of gardening with little explanation of what these beds really are, how to use them or, more importantly, how to build them. Raised beds are a great way to improve soil for food crops (fruits, vegetables and herbs) in ...

Nearly 50 barbecue teams will square off at Saturday’s Sertoma 48 BarBQ Cook-Off, serving up their best pork, brisket, chicken and ribs for a chance to compete in the American Royal's World Series of Barbecue in September. For $6 each round, visitors can taste the contest entries and vote ...

Garden centers in the Lawrence area are full of beautiful blooming plants right now, and this is a great time to add plants to the yard and garden. The options can be overwhelming, though, and many times gardeners are lured in with pretty flowers, unusual species and low prices. The best way to ...

Trees with vibrant spring blossoms are often at the top of gardeners’ and landscapers’ planting lists. Their popularity is likely due to the attention the flowers attract this time of year, the excitement for color after the brown and gray shades of winter and the desire to shop for plants ...

Strawberries are known and favored for their unique, sweet red fruit that begins to ripen as spring transitions into summer. Although they can be found year-round in the grocery store, the quality and flavor of in-season vine-ripened fruit far surpasses other strawberries. To try growing them ...

Leafy greens for salads, stir fries, sautés and other favorite dishes are easy to grow in gardens and containers in the Midwest. Most varieties perform best in the spring or fall and can be planted now through May depending on the crop. Lettuce is likely the first thing that comes to mind ...

Potatoes are easy to grow in northeast Kansas and can be planted as soon as soil is workable in mid-March. Many gardeners plant potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day out of superstition and tradition, and the date is generally a good time frame to keep in mind even with minor variations in weather ...

Basil, oregano, thyme and a variety of other herbs are easy to grow, are a fun way to get kids interested in gardening, add flavor to cooking and add good scents to the garden and home. In northeast Kansas, perennial herbs can be planted as soon as the ground has thawed (and dried out enough to ...

When Brad and Cailan Silva open their green front door at 1616 Massachusetts St., first-time visitors are surprised. Stepping through the door, they enter not the house but an outdoor living space, which isn't visible from the street. Another door inside the secluded area takes them into the ...

Building and maintaining healthy soil is one of the most important steps in growing healthy gardens, landscapes and lawns and is often overlooked or considered as an afterthought. And, the best time to build and improve soil is prior to planting, making this late winter-early spring season the ...

At this weekend's Lawrence Home Show, you can fight off the winter blues by getting some ideas for spring landscaping and home improvement projects. For homeowners of all ages, the show will be full of inspiration for all kinds of projects, from the front yard to the back door, said Bobbie ...

Birdhouses are a suitable source of shelter for some bird species to build their nests and raise their young. Building a birdhouse is a fun, simple woodworking project for children and adults, especially as spring approaches. Start with a kit or a plan, find a suitable location, and install the ...

Pruning raspberry and blackberry plants improves fruit yield and quality, makes fruit more accessible for harvest, maintains size of plantings and reduces pest problems. Late winter is an ideal and important time to prune these plants in Kansas. Raspberry and blackberry plants are referred to ...

The idea of extreme cold temperatures reducing the population of Japanese beetles, bagworms and other insect pests is one that makes many Midwestern gardeners tolerate the cold a little easier. But, how much does winter really affect these insects and others? The answer depends on how and where ...

Renovating a rundown home in a historic part of town allowed for a young couple in Lawrence to mix the old with the new. Lindsey and Kyle Weiland purchased their home at 1327 New Hampshire St. in January 2014 with plans to gut the interior and rebuild it to their liking. Kyle, who is a general ...

Tropical orchids are well-known for their long-lasting blooms and beauty, but they can also be a challenge to maintain. Because they are tropical plants, they can only be grown indoors in Kansas and are especially finicky about water, light and growing media (potting mix). Several years ago a ...

Indoor plants, or houseplants as they are often called, will soon respond to longer day length and return to a period of active growth. This period of active growth is a good time to propagate plants if you wish to do so and usually begins around mid-February. Although it’s a little early to ...

Old wives’ tales, myths and misconceptions perpetuate in the garden world thanks to self-proclaimed experts, clever marketers, and well-meaning friends, family and neighbors. Sorting out bad information from good is a challenge at times, especially with regional and seasonal variations. Start ...

The arrival of the new year is a good time to set goals and make a plan for yard and garden tasks for the year. Maybe you have new trees to plant, old trees that desperately need pruning, a landscape bed ready for renovation, or this will finally be the year to start a vegetable garden. ...