Home & Garden Checklist

Installing tile? Planning a garden room? Remodeling a kitchen or bath? There are apps for these.

Use water wisely. That's the message all May during California's Water Awareness Month.

If you're getting ready to put your home on the market, you may want to start with the garage.

Do you have an energy hog taking up space in your garage?

Are name-brand cleaning products worth the extra money? Sometimes yes, but often no, according to Cheapism.

Comfortable bedding is only part of the equation to get a better night's sleep.

We're remodeling again. Contractors report that our pent-up demand for renovation has homeowners back in the market for updated kitchens and baths.

Watch out for slugs and snails. Moist spring weather brings them out in force.

It's spring! Time to get to work on preparing your garden for the growing season.

Indoor air can be hazardous to your health. But you can breathe easier with the help of your green friends: houseplants.

This is National Flood Awareness Week. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, floods are the second-most common and widespread of all natural disasters, affecting homeowners in all 50 states year-round. Spring can be prime flood time, triggered by post-winter snow thaws, spring rains or heavy thunderstorms.

Spring is still 10 days away, but it's time again to "spring" forward. That means it's time to replace smoke alarm batteries and time to switch to a spring-summer watering schedule.

More than 20 million Americans work at least part time at home. But home offices often can be fraught with time-wasting obstacles.

Cloudy glasses and filmy plates can make anyone washing dishes see red.

According to the National Soap and Detergent Association, getting rid of clutter would eliminate 40 percent of housework in the average home.

What to plant and transplant for the season of growth

An estimated 5.1 million Americans bought new TVs in anticipation of last Sunday's Super Bowl. But what happened to their old televisions?

This week's things to do to make the most of your garden

Squishing in the mud can squeeze out soil's air pockets, which are needed by plant roots.

Put away the funny glasses; Super Bowl XLVI won't be in 3-D. Besides, you don't have enough specs for your whole party.

As the city of Sacramento continues to roll out water meters, customers are shocked to find out their actual water use.

Is your closet jam-packed with clothes? Maybe you don't need more space but a new approach to your wardrobe.

Looking for an energetic boost for the new year? Try the color of 2012.

Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than usual between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. That adds up to about 25 million extra tons of garbage nationwide.

During the holiday season, families often get new gadgets, TVs or electronic appliances. And each time they get something new, they face the same dilemma – what to do with the old stuff?

More consumers are aware that major changes are coming in the lighting industry, but they're not all willing to switch to energy-efficient bulbs, according to a new survey.

North America's largest roofing manufacturer, offers these tips for how to get your roof ready for those wet and cold months ahead

Halloween seems like yesterday, but it's almost time to put up those holiday lights.

Get ready to change your clocks – and other semiannual chores.

This season, Americans will spend $1.9 billion on Halloween goodies. With so many sticky fingers, that amounts to a nationwide mess.

Be it eggplant, lavender or violet, expect to see plenty of purple.

Deadhead your roses and mums. Trim off the spent flowers, so new ones will form and extend their bloom into November.

• October is the best month to plant perennials in the Sacramento Valley. You can find a lot of "new" plants in your yard by dividing existing perennials such as Shasta daisies, coreopsis, daylilies, astilbe, bee balm, bearded iris, black-eyed Susans, columbine, hardy geraniums, goldenrod, hostas, phlox and coneflowers. Share (or trade) with a friend.

It's the start of a new month and a new season. What better time to transition your closet from summer to fall and cooler weather ahead?

This is the best month to plant perennials in the Sacramento Valley.

Planting for your fall garden is underway.

Is your kitchen energy smart and water wise? You could be wasting both resources, according to the Whirlpool Institute of Kitchen Science.

Can your furnace take another winter? Do you have a burning question about your home's heating equipment?

Get ready for the fall garden season.

Compost annuals and vegetable crops that have finished producing.

Labor Day weekend marks the traditional end of summer. But where will your summer memories end up – tossed in a drawer or left on your digital camera or computer?

We may be having the coolest summer in decades, but plants still need water.

How can you cut down on dusting? Start at the front door.

Pick up after your fruit trees. Clean up debris and dropped fruit; this cuts down on insects and prevents the spread of brown rot. Then, feed fruit trees with slow-release fertilizer for better production next year.

Are your tomatoes showing lots of blossoms but not much fruit? Are the big green ones just staying green? Blame it on the cool summer. We're not complaining about the weather, but tomatoes, peppers, squash and melons prefer it hot with warm nights to go along with days in the high 90s. Cherry tomatoes, which need less heat, are ripening in abundance, but bigger varieties require a little more warmth to turn red.

White and other light-colored clothing are a natural for summer. But these garments also tend to show stains. How can you beat those spots and keep white fabrics looking fresh?