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Becky Slater photo Eighty to 90 per cent of Winnipeg’s three million trees are on private property. A private tree bylaw could help protect them.

Book a passionate, grassroots call to protect and grow our urban forests

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

Out on a Limb by Erna Buffie is a 100-plus page, digest-sized paperback packed with a powerful message about the importance of preserving and growing Winnipeg’s urban forest.

It’s one of those rare books where not a single word is wasted. This is not a sentimental ode to trees but rather a passionate call to immediate action.

Published this year by Great Plains Press, Buffie’s work is the third instalment in the City Project series. The series’ editors are Emma and Michel Durand-Wood. Together with Buffie, all three are grassroots activists who do not shirk from citizen-led action to preserve Winnipeg’s tree canopy.

As a documentary filmmaker, Buffie worked with CBC’s acclaimed series, The Nature of Things, for more than 20 years. She directed Smarty Plants, an award-winning 2012 documentary which uncovers the real secret world of plants. She also directed episodes of the incomparable Canadian documentary series, Recreating Eden, which ran for five seasons on CBC.

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Panache Homes’ show home (left) at 557 Centennial St. (there’s also a similar design for sale next door) is filled with quality and style.

Brand-new two-storey great fit for older neighbourhood

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Brand-new two-storey great fit for older neighbourhood

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

As attractive as a brand-new infill home in an established area can be, it’s unwise to rush into buying.

That’s because one important detail needs to be carefully examined before signing the purchase agreement — how well was the build executed? This is a critical detail, as some infill homes are built on short time frames with sub-par structure and mediocre finishes to make for a quick sale.

Suffice it to say, such a hastily built dwelling is unlikely to age well. That can lead to unwanted maintenance costs and repairs within the first five to seven years of owning it — all after paying a premium price to live in a desirable neighbourhood.

Reid Boles says there are no such concerns with a sharp-looking two-storey home that was recently built at 557 Centennial St. in River Heights north.

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Saturday, May. 2, 2026
The well-kept bungalow is built on an oversized country lot backing onto wide-open space.

Stonewall bungalow a great fit for down-sizers, young families

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Stonewall bungalow a great fit for down-sizers, young families

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

It’s something everyone craves — a home to fill you with an absolute sense of peace when you step inside after a long day.

Unfortunately, it’s a pipe dream for many. No matter where you live, there always seems to be something to shatter the silence, whether a loud truck rumbling down an adjacent street, a dog barking or an ambulance answering a call in the middle of the night.

Those things can naturally prompt a longing to live somewhere off the beaten path to avoid unwelcome disturbances.

Jeff Brown of Sutton Group-Kilkenny Real Estate says you don’t necessarily have to move out into the middle of an isolated forest when you can find a home like the one he just listed on a quiet street in Stonewall.

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Saturday, May. 2, 2026
Marc LaBossiere / Free Press The dryer duct and vent, new 30-amp outlet, and ABS drain plus water feeds combo insert make for a clean look along the back wall.

Seize the opportunity

Marc LaBossiere 6 minute read Preview

Seize the opportunity

Marc LaBossiere 6 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

The introduction of an additional laundry room on the second floor within any home is a tricky prospect at the best of times and requires careful planning prior to execution.

Although a laundry room was not a priority during an elaborate kitchen remodel I handled, an opportunity presented itself to tackle the endeavour.

While the walls were being stripped down to studs on the main floor, a useful corridor via which to run rough plumbing and electrical from the basement to the second level was too good for the homeowners to pass up.

This particular kitchen remodel a couple years ago was a huge project. The area of the dining room into the old kitchen was roughly 700 square feet in size, and involved removing a dividing wall, introducing two new kitchen picture windows and a side coffee bar with sink beyond the centre island with the main sink area.

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Saturday, May. 2, 2026
MHBA photo To ensure safety, all visits to residential construction sites should be co-ordinated by appointment only and with the full awareness of both the builder and site supervisor.

Stay safe around active construction sites

Lanny McInnes 4 minute read Preview

Stay safe around active construction sites

Lanny McInnes 4 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

With the arrival of spring weather, people have started enjoying more outdoor activities. This also means construction is about to become busier.

While we usually equate the spring season in Manitoba with road construction, it’s the busiest time for residential work as well. Home construction season doesn’t solely involve new dwellings going up in new communities. It also includes demolitions, infill construction, landscaping projects, driveway repairs and many other home-renovation tasks taking place either inside or outside of houses.

This means residential construction and its accompanying common hazards can be present in any neighbourhood. With more people understandably feeling the urge to get more active outdoors, now is a great time to remind people of all ages to keep an eye out for the potential hazards that can pop up.

Vehicles, equipment and materials used on construction sites can pose a hazard to workers, drivers and pedestrians on residential roadways while work is taking place. These hazards can include equipment backing onto roadways, as well as machinery and trailers parked on city streets.

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Saturday, May. 2, 2026
Jeffries Nurseries photo The sugar maple is Canada’s national tree. Inferno sugar maple has inflorescent orange-red fall foliage colouring.

All you need to know to grow species of our iconic national tree

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Preview

All you need to know to grow species of our iconic national tree

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

Maples are one of the most common tree requests at garden centres every spring.

Many customers know exactly what they want and specifically ask for Autumn Blaze. (The full botanical name for the Autumn Blaze Maple is Acer x freemanii Jeffersred.)

A hybrid between red maple (Acer rubrum) and silver maple (Acer saccharinum), Autumn Blaze was discovered by Ohio nurseryman Glenn Jeffers in the late-1960s. Autumn Blaze combines the fast growth and drought-tolerance of the silver maple with the vibrant scarlet-red colour of the red maple. The iconic foliage is deeply cut with five pointed lobes.

The exceptional name recognition of the Autumn Blaze Maple often makes it the default choice for homeowners seeking brilliant-red fall colouring. But there are several other maple cultivars with outstanding red fall colour worth considering. There are also important things to know about maple trees.

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Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The distinctive exterior is a prelude to the bungalow’s elegant yet efficient design.

From prime lot to space-maximizing design, Oak Bluff West home has it all

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

From prime lot to space-maximizing design, Oak Bluff West home has it all

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

One of the biggest hallmarks of an alluring home is the precision that went into its design, both outside and in.

In turn, that commitment to excellence makes for a home that stands out from the rest.

That’s the case with a sleek bungalow situated on an oversized lot at 10 Stone Hearth Lane in Oak Bluff West, says Viktoria Fazekas of Re/Max Executives Realty.

“This home, which was built in 2022 by Paradigm Custom Homes, is set on a premium lot in one of the best spots in the community,” she says. “It’s an exceptional home. Not one detail has been missed in its design.”

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Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026
Supplied The 2,083-sq.-ft., executive-style bungalow is packed with style, functionality and serenity.

Executive-style bungalow in Headingley offers style, serenity, livability

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Executive-style bungalow in Headingley offers style, serenity, livability

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

One of the best things about building in communities outside the city is that lots are more expansive than they are in town.

Not only does that provide more separation from neighbours, but it also allows for the construction of king-sized bungalows that are rarely built inside city limits.

Still, builders need to take full advantage of the opportunity by coming up with designs that make the most of all that extra space.

That’s what Irwin Homes’ design team set about doing when they were presented with a huge lot at 3 Woodland Lane in Headingley’s Forest Grove Estates.

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Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026
MHBA photo Beware this summer of contractors offering cash-only deals with a handshake ‘contract’ when considering home-renovation quotes.

Get it in writing from contractors this summer

Lanny McInnes 5 minute read Preview

Get it in writing from contractors this summer

Lanny McInnes 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

Now that winter weather appears to be behind us, Manitobans are turning their attention to preparing for spring yard work, gardening and planning on how best to enjoy the long and beautiful summer we all deserve.

Sometimes, that also means planning a summer renovation project for your home. Many homeowners are booking these summer projects with renovators now. But one thing to keep in mind when researching both your residential project and picking the right renovator to do it, is that when a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

There are some key points to remember when you are offered a “really great deal” on home renovations, especially cash-only deals where the person doing the work is being paid “under the table.” These deals usually mean no taxes are paid and no permits are taken out for the work to be done. Possessing no receipt and no contract also means there is no record of the work being done on a dwelling.

If your contractor cuts a few corners and uses substandard materials, you have no recourse because there was no formal agreement. If the workmanship is shoddy or the renovation work caused some damage to your home, there is no actual record of the work ever taking place.

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Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026
MARC LABOSSIERE / FREE PRESS The subfloor panels are easily installed in the big open area of the home’s main rec-room space.

Elevate a home’s lower-level flooring

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Preview

Elevate a home’s lower-level flooring

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

Basements in newer house construction often follow a similar process to that found on any other floor of a home — joists with plywood or OSB sheathing atop as a subfloor.

This configuration is possible when a new house is being built with a crawlspace below the lower-level floor structure. Not only does this help in keeping the basement warmer, it also allows easier access to run rough plumbing and electrical below the basement floor elevation.

However, in older homes, the basement floor is generally concrete, which can be quite limiting. As one can imagine, changes to the existing rough plumbing of a basement level in an older dwelling with a concrete floor will be very costly. As such, basement bathroom renovations in such dwellings often utilize the existing placement of the toilet flange, sink and shower drains to avoid increasing costs.

At a current basement renovation project, the homeowners elected to recycle the existing bathroom layout for that very reason. However, costs were then incurred by adding a sump pit and pump and also a backwater valve as preventative measures against the possibility of a storm sewer surge that could inundate the basement.

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Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Spa-like amenities await in the elegant, beautifully finished ensuite.

Luxury and livability

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Luxury and livability

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026

There are times when, for some subtle reason, a home just catches your eye.

A two-storey home at 111 Valley Brook Rd. in Bridgwater Trails is one of those abodes.

The instant you look at it, it has a crisp, razor-sharp profile that makes you want to peek inside.

There’s a reason for that, says Lisa Lawrence of Century 21 Bachman & Associates.

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Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The efficiently designed Florence model proves a home need not be over 2,000 sq. ft. in size to offer the functionality families require.

Efficient elegance

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Efficient elegance

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026

For some reason, many families looking for a new dwelling believe a home must be over 2,000 sq. ft. for it to possess the flexibility and livability they need to live life to the max.

That isn’t necessarily the case if a home is efficiently planned, says Rob Hutchison, the sales representative for A&S Homes’ new show home at 297 Granite Grove Rd. in Prairie Pointe.

“If a home is well-designed, you don’t need over 2,000 sq. ft. for it to meet the needs of a large family,” he says. “This home, the Florence, is a good example of that. Our design team took the base model, which is 1,869 sq. ft. and added 41 sq. ft. It’s a subtle tweak, but it really paid off. It made the home so much more family-friendly.”

As it turns out, several spaces were impacted in a very positive way by taking the home’s square footage up to 1,910 sq. ft.

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Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026
MARC LABOSSIERE / FREE PRESS The decorative stringers are offset to better cater to the floor plan of the rec-room, and laundry entrance.

Mastering the drywall ‘frame’ game

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Preview

Mastering the drywall ‘frame’ game

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026

When the term “framing” is used in the context of interior construction, the first connotation is that of structural support and layout.

However, framing for just about any project can lead to frustration if the process is not well-planned from the get-go. While minor shifts and changes are often necessary to facilitate implementation of subsequent tasks, insufficient planning that overlooks all the requirements of a project can result in the need for drastic measures later on.

Interior framing can be quite monotonous, despite its necessity. In addition to helping sidestep small glitches, incorporating a strategic approach serves a very important purpose. As an example, framing the back wall of a basement bathroom to accommodate a vanity may seem straightforward enough — studs positioned atop a base at 16-inches on centre with a cap plate, then secured to the adjacent walls and ceiling joists above.

However, by first verifying the intended location of the ABS rough plumbing, the studs can be shifted slightly to better accommodate the process, rather than having to chop through a newly erected stud that may be inconveniently located for the plumbing feed.

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Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026
Gaillardia SpinTop Orange Halo Improved is an exceptional new perennial from the True North Perennials collection. It looks equally good in landscapes or containers.

Perennials in the zone

Colleen Zacharias 6 minute read Preview

Perennials in the zone

Colleen Zacharias 6 minute read Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026

The reputation of Manitoba’s cold climate precedes us into nearly every major North American plant-breeding company. You could almost say, if a plant survives winter in Winnipeg, it will survive anywhere.

Dummen Orange is a leading global breeder and propagator of ornamental flowers and plants. It has been in operation in North America for 26 years. The company’s True North Perennials program differentiates Dummen Orange from other breeders on our continent, many of whom test their plants in places where winter temperatures do not exceed -34.4 C — in other words, Zone 4.

Hence, many new plant introductions are classified as hardy to Zone 4 because they have not been tested in our Zone 3B climate. Vanstone Nurseries in Portage la Prairie is a key regional testing ground for the True North Perennials program, which is focused on our zone.

“This has become a very big deal,” says Duayne Friesen, Winnipeg-based sales representative for Ball Seed Company, a major North American supplier of seed and young plants to commercial greenhouses. “There is significant demand, especially in Canada and the northern United States, for plant varieties that are guaranteed cold-hardy.”

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Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026
Nik Friesen-Hughes photo Looking for an echinacea you count on? Magnus coneflower keeps coming back if you plant it in lean soil.

Pragmatic plots

Colleen Zacharias 8 minute read Preview

Pragmatic plots

Colleen Zacharias 8 minute read Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026

Our climate is changing rapidly, and our garden plans need to adapt accordingly.

“We need a planting design that functions as a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem suited to our climate,” says Nik Friesen-Hughes, landscape designer and owner of Dogwood Landscape Design Build. “We’re already seeing warmer temperatures overall in winter and summer and a longer growing season. In a climate such as Winnipeg’s, plants must handle extreme cold, heavy spring moisture and drought. So, we want to design a garden that’s resilient to all these things.”

Managing landscape water efficiently is a good starting point.

“Resilient landscapes don’t just use less water, they manage the water where it is,” says Friesen-Hughes. What if you could charge up your soil profile in spring with the extra moisture in the snow to help plants withstand hot, dry conditions that occur later on?

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Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026
Marc LaBossiere / Free Press The three-tonne heat pump is installed in an area that avoids snow drifting in the winter.

Get emergency heat with one simple wiring change

Marc LaBossiere 7 minute read Preview

Get emergency heat with one simple wiring change

Marc LaBossiere 7 minute read Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026

From this past autumn into the dead of winter, our household dealt with an unfortunate bout of HVAC issues.

In the fall, the heat pump’s blower fan failed, resulting in sole reliance on the air handler (furnace) to heat the house. Moreover, the blower fan caused a surge on the heat pump’s circuit board. As such, both the blower fan’s motor and the control board needed to be replaced.

At some point during the coldest spell of winter, the air handler’s control board also suffered a catastrophic failure. Luckily, this issue was rectified within a week, and the house once again had heat. It wasn’t until recently that I received an ETA on the heat pump’s control board, even though the blower-fan motor had arrived several weeks prior. No matter, the heat pump “fix” was scheduled with my HVAC guy. However, there was a lingering programming issue that had always presented complications, dependent solely upon the outdoor temperature when the heat pump was not operational — the temperature lockout.

For those who aren’t familiar with electric heat pumps, the units are essentially air conditioners with a dual purpose — they provide heating in the cold months, and cooling during the warmer times of they year. Our Canadian climate, however, usually necessitates a “backup” heating system for times when the heat pump cannot efficiently or effectively heat the house properly. For instance, in Manitoba, my heat pump can effectively warm the house when the outside temperature remains above -15 C. Below this temperature, the heat pump struggles, even though the system will begin to call upon the heating coils in the air handler (the electric furnace). And even though this is the proper function, the heat pump’s efficiency begins to drop off greatly as the outdoor temperature dips below -15 C.

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Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026

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