All Entries in the "Carson Arthur" Category
Plan to grow this year’s trendy heirloom vegetable
OUTDOOR LIVING with Carson Arthur This trend of heirloom vegetables had gone beyond what any of us expert gardeners ever expected. So far, I have received more than 15 seed catalogues from across Canada and the US. All of these companies specialize in rare vegetables, hard to find strains, and unique flavours of culinary delights! […]
Bring back classic ‘bullet-proof’ plants to your gardens
After a few rough winters, a lot of our gardens are looking a little haggard (as are the gardeners). This may be the perfect time to start bringing back some of the classic ‘bullet-proof’ plants into our landscaped spaces. The timing also seems to be perfect for all of the new gardeners and homeowners who […]
How to buy and care for a real tree for the holidays
If you’re at all like me and choose to have a real tree in your home for the holidays, then NOW is the time to go out and get it. I realize that those homeowners with a faux tree may already have theirs up, but for us ‘traditionalists’, waiting until the cold snap has hit […]
Do these three simple jobs now, in your outdoor spaces
Its official, winter is on its way. Most of us have seen snow already and there is a decided chill in the air. Even though it may seem easier to stay indoors, NOW is the last chance for you to get a few things done to set you on the path to a great spring […]
All fired-up about an outdoor fire pit?
One of the most popular additions to the backyard is the outdoor fire pit with seating around it. Having an area for entertaining that is separate to the patio table has been featured in magazines, websites and all types of social media. Even the designs that I’ve been doing for homes in downtown areas seem […]
Embrace the power of paint for your home
We’ve all heard that freshening up the paint can help you sell your home, but now we actually have numbers that back it up! I am a firm believer in the concept that you only get one chance to make a first impression. When it comes to your home, the first impression is made the […]
Come sit awhile! Welcoming front yard key to maximum home value
All of the studies on housing have shown that creating a front yard that is inviting and welcoming is key in achieving the maximum value for your home. Companies like Century 21 and Realestate.com stating that curb appeal and first impression can swing a home’s value from between 8 per cent to 15 per cent. […]
Moving – the big investment
In 2013, the Bank of Montreal went on record stating that almost 50 per cent of Canadians would be moving in the next five years. Officially, I’ve joined that half of the population. We sold the cottage and bought a farm! Now I use that term very loosely as it doesn’t have a barn (but […]
Three simple changes to save water and money on your lawn and garden
I was recently asked at a speaking event why I’ve been so vocal about not liking grass in the yard. The reason I’m not a fan of grass is not the plant, but the homeowners that care for it. Grass requires more time, money and resources than anything else we can have in our outdoor […]
Transform your home’s ugly patio
Recently I took on the weekend project of transforming the small patio on the back of my in-law suite for my mother-in-law. We decided that while the patio might be okay in some ways, having a large deck with a pergola all made from a low maintenance material like MicroPro Sienna, was a significant improvement. […]
