Do it now

Give your roses one last shot of fertilizer. You should continue to water them regularly, if the weather's dry, but it's not a good idea to feed after early August. Roses need to be slowing down in preparation for winter dormancy rather than putting on new growth.

Love to look at cool kitchens? Check out the American Society of Interior Designers' kitchen tour this weekend. The 16 kitchens included on the tour - all in private homes - feature some of the latest design and remodeling trends. For a tasty treat, guest chefs will prepare samples of their favorite recipes from noon to 2 p.m. $15-$25. For details, go to www.mspmag.com/kitchentour. or call 612-336-9296.

A system of modular floor tiles uses embedded, interlocking "teeth" to bind each piece instead of grout.

The SnapStone floating porcelain tile system, in 6-inch and 12-inch squares, costs $5 to $7 per square foot and is designed for do-it-yourselfers. The company said it can be used with radiant heat. It's available in three colors and five special-order hues at Menard's stores. Need just a partial tile? Company spokesman Matt Lessman said the tiles can be cut with a wet saw or score cutter. Details at www.snapstone.com.

Want help identifying that bird in your back yard or need tips for discouraging woodpeckers from pecking on your house? Go to www.startribune.com/wingnut.

www.morewaystowaste time.blogspot.com

Au contraire, mon frere. This blog is a tasty stew from a self-proclaimed home junkie in Oakland, Calif. Her frequent posts on "finds of the day" on eBay and craft-temple Etsy, as well as lengthy reader-submitted visual home tours, make this a fun way to while away some -- but not too much -- time.

Check out the bargain-style bungalow reno by former Minneapolitans Kathryn and David Strand in the August issue of Better Homes & Gardens. Five pages show their now-light-and-airy digs north of Duluth.

KIM YEAGER, CONNIE NELSON