In the Garden, in the Zone

a Chippewa Valley master gardener shares her gardening expertise

Gardeners are lucky to have myriad traditional resources for finding plant information such as garden books, magazines, garden center staff, University Extension agents, and Master Gardener volunteers ...

Can You Dig It?

maybe not ‑ only diggers Hotline knows for sure

When sprig finally arrived in the snowbound Chippewa Valley a couple of years ago, my wife and I were eager to put in a modest garden behind our new home. And while I’m a newbie when it comes to gardening ...

Getting Started With Container Gardening

plant selection and timing are key to small scale success

Traditional gardens require ample space, appropriate sunlight, and an ongoing time commitment, but container gardening offers an alternative way to grow fresh fruits and vegetables with more limited resources ...

Housing Demand Is Growing

local home builders say tight market makes new construction more attractive

With the local job market continuing to improve, demand among homebuyers has continued to grow steadily despite rising mortgage rates. This demand has created record-low inventory in the Chippewa Valley ...

Let the Parade Begin

Chippewa Valley builders put their work on display for 43rd annual home showcase

A couple of the houses originally slated to be part of the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association’s 43rd Annual Parade of Homes had to drop out – and for good reason: They have already been sold ...

6 Generous Bird Bushes

We seem to think of gardening primarily for summer flowers, but there are other seasons and attractions to consider: fall, winter, spring – and birds. When we moved into our house 29 years ago, the yard offered green grass and little else ...

Coming Up Green

Down to Earth's expansion mirrors housing market growth, national trends

Like a healthy perennial, Down to Earth Garden Center has blossomed to life this spring bigger and better. The garden center on Eau Claire’s south side has just completed ...

Ethics and the Soil

how we treat gardens, yards, and fields impacts life - from microorganisms to human beings

It seems odd to connect ethics with soil. I doubt that bacteria, fungi, and nematodes spend much time debating the ethics of eating each other. Mostly they just react to what’s around ...

Capturing History at Home

building on one of the last open lots in Eau Claire's Third Ward, company honors the neighborhood's historical style

A beautiful new home created with the inspiration of paying homage to the past has been built in Eau Claire’s historic Third Ward neighborhood and will be featured ...

Building Something New

if you’re looking to buy, remodel, or just ogle, the Parade of Homes has something to offer

Whether you’re in the market for a new house, hope to remodel your existing one, or simply want to check out some of the area’s most beautiful new homes, mark your calendar for the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association’s 41st Annual Parade of Homes ...