ATHOME
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PLANTING SEASON
Getting your garden started Local growers, nursery owners offer tips, Page 6
[CAROLYN COGSWELL/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
PRUNING PRIMER, PAGE 2
PESTS’ HIDING PLACES, PAGE 4
REDOING RAISED BED GARDENS, PAGE 8
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Pruning for maximum flower power Cut back flowering shrubs after bloom
Ariel Whitely-Noll
S
pring explodes with color, making the season one of the best times of the year. Bright, colorful blooms fill our senses and remind us of the renewal that spring brings. Unfortunately, this colorful display never lasts long enough. Although lamented, the end of a shrub's flowering
cycle signifies the time to prune. For nonflowering shrubs, early spring may be just the time to break out the clippers, and for all shrubs, variety will determine how you need to prune. Shrubs that flower in the spring are normally pruned immediately after flowering. Examples of these types of shrubs include forsythia, Vanhoutte spirea, quince, lilac and mockorange. Pruning these shrubs during the dormant season, prior to blooming, doesn’t harm the health of the plant, but it does remove the developing flower buds. For maximum floriferousness — yes, that’s a real word — prune after
flowering has ceased. Shrubs that bloom on the current season’s growth or don’t produce ornamental flowers are best pruned in late winter to early spring. Examples of these include Rose of Sharon, Japanese spirea, butterfly bush, blue mist spirea and burning bush euonymus. Pruning these shrubs during the spring allows wounds to heal quickly without significant threat from insects or diseases. There is no need to treat pruning cuts with paints or sealers. None of those products help the plant recover, and some may actually slow the healing process. It’s important to note if the plant is coniferous,
Master Gardeners’ goal: Share expertise Response line, plant clinic among offerings The Capital-Journal
The Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners is a group of volunteers who love gardening and share their expertise with others in the community through classes, special events and demonstrations. Here are some of the things they will be doing in the next couple of months. Gardening hotline The Master Gardeners Response Line can answer questions about what to plant, when to plant, how to plant, insects, plant diseases and other topics.
The response line, (785) 232-0062, Ext. 105 or 106, is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, April through September. Walk-ins at the Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave., are also welcome.
improved results. • May 12: Vegetable gardening training, 10 a.m. Visitors can observe gardening techniques and ask questions about growing food in their own gardens.
Demonstrations
• Downtown Topeka Farmers Market: The Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners will answer questions and provide information at a booth from 7:30 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, beginning April 14. The farmers market is in the parking lot just south of the Judicial Building, S.W. 12th and S.W. Harrison.
Community events
Members of the Master Gardeners will conduct vegetable gardening and composting demonstrations at the garden site just off the Kansas Expocentre’s south parking lot, next to the locomotive. Scheduled are: • April 7: Composting, 9:30 a.m. Learn the basics of composting and how to use composted materials in your vegetable gardens to experience See MASTER, 3
which includes juniper, pine and spruce. If you cut a conifer, it may not grow back. Conifers don’t have dormant buds on older wood, so they don’t re-sprout behind pruning cuts. Once you have determined when to prune, you must then determine how to prune. There are three basic methods used in pruning shrubs: • Thinning, which is used to thin out branches from a shrub that is too dense. Thinning is accomplished by removing most of the inward-growing twigs by cutting them back to a larger branch or cutting them back to just above an outwardfacing bud. On a multistemmed shrub, the
oldest branches may be completely removed. Shrubs that respond well to thinning include forsythia, lilac, crapemyrtle and bayberry. Many shrubs benefit from a combination of heading back and thinning cuts. • Heading back, which is removing the end of a branch by cutting it back to a bud. Heading back is used to reduce the height of the shrub or to keep it compact. Branches aren’t cut back to a uniform height, because this will result in a “witches’ broom” effect. Instead, cut the branches back at random heights similar to that of the natural shrub shape prior to pruning. As you prune, cut back
to a bud in the direction you wish new growth to go. Shrubs that can benefit from this pruning method include azaleas, roses and junipers. • Rejuvenation, or renewal pruning, which is the most severe type of pruning and is normally done during the dormant season. Rejuvenation is used on a multi-stemmed shrub that has become too large and has many old branches. All the stems are cut back to 3 to 5 inches above the ground. If you wish a more compact, fuller shrub, prune off the tips of the new growth when it reaches 6 to 12 inches long. See PRUNING, 3
The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, April 7, 2018 3
PRUNING From Page 2
Flowering shrubs normally don’t flower the year following renewal pruning. If your shrub has outgrown its space but is known not to recover from a rejuvenation pruning, it is time to remove and replace it with a newer plant.
MASTER From Page 2
• Master Gardeners Plant Sale: The annual plant sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon May 5 in the Extension office parking lot.
Most conifers, including junipers and pines, don’t respond well to rejuvenation pruning. Rejuvenation works well for spirea, forsythia, lilac, barberry, scarlet firethorn, viburnum, weigela, yew, ninebark, mockorange, shrub roses and quince. Shearing shrubs isn’t considered a proper method of pruning. Shearing should only be done on formal hedges
in the landscape. Remember, no amount of pruning can make up for a large shrub in a too-small space. Always start with proper variety selection and use cultural practices like pruning only for maintenance.
Classes
Appeal.” • April 26: “Growing and Using Herbs.” • May 3: “Raised Bed Gardens.”
Master Gardeners classes on a variety of topics will be offered at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. All classes are free and start at 7 p.m. Among the classes are: • April 19: “Curb
Ariel Whitely-Noll is the horticulture agent for Shawnee County Research and Extension. She can be reached at arielw@ksu.edu.
For more information, call (785) 232-0062, go online to cjon.co/ CJgardeners or visit the Extension office.
4 Saturday, April 7, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com
Pests can hide in ‘secret’ places in homes Check drains, electrical outlets and pantries
more clearly than humans, making ceiling light fixtures a common place to find insects. Flies, beetles, cockroaches and wasps are attracted to the warmth and light, which, unfortunately for them, typically results in an early death.
Brandpoint
Pests can be hiding just about everywhere — whether you can see them or not. When you know where to look, there are preventative measures you can take to help avoid a pest infestation problem in your home. Terminix shares some details on the unexpected, "secret" places pests can be hiding. Sinks and drains One often overlooked area is the kitchen sink. When not properly sanitized, drains can become a breeding ground for pests like cockroaches, drain beetles and fruit flies. Cockroaches are one of the more common pests found in drains, because they can
Electrical outlets A pest control professional can search your home for places that might be infested with pests and then eradicate them. The kitchen sink is often a culprit, serving as a breeding ground for cockroaches, drain beetles and fruit flies. [BRANDPOINT]
access pipes when pushed up from sewers. Cockroaches survive in drains by feeding on available organic matter, such as grease, food waste and hair. Other drain-breeding pests include drain flies, which resemble tiny moths, and fruit flies. Drain flies breed in residue found in drains. Fruit flies are attracted to garbage residue found in drains,
which can contain damp, organic matter in which to lay eggs and is a good food source to feed young larvae. Use smaller drain mesh and drain cleaner to create a less-appealing environment for drain flies and fruit flies. Ceiling light fixtures Bugs see UV lighting
One of the most unexpected places pests hide is inside your electrical outlets. Ants, beetles and bed bugs have been known to hide in electrical outlets and the voids behind the outlet plate. A pest control technician may use a dry residual dust product to reduce any bugs that could be residing there. If bed bugs are found in electrical outlets, it is likely there are more in other parts of the room or home, so call a professional to schedule a full home inspection.
Kitchen pantry Equally likely to welcome uninvited guests are your kitchen pantry and cupboards. Pantry pests can include moths, weevils, beetles and mice, all of which are attracted to food stored in the kitchen. Pantry pests quickly can contaminate batches of cooking and baking ingredients, such as flour, grains, spices and pricey nuts and dried fruits. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep them out of your cabinets, including examining all packaging for damage; avoiding storing food in original cardboard and paper packaging and instead choosing airtight containers with sealing lids; buying smaller quantities of products and using them before expiration; consistently organizing and cleaning your pantry; and throwing away all contaminated food.
The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, April 7, 2018 5
6 Saturday, April 7, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com
PLANTING SEASON
Gardeners, nursery owners offer growing tips Know when and what to plant By Carolyn Cogswell Special to The Capital-Journal
Experienced gardeners will tell you about the advantages of gardening: the health benefits of eating homegrown vegetables, the satisfaction of sharing them with others, the joy of looking at beautiful flowers. If you have little gardening experience or you find yourself for the first time with the opportunity to have a garden, you might not know where to begin. Local gardeners and area businesses are here to help. Kelly Wingerson, of Tecumseh, regards gardening as her therapy. She believes she inherited her love of gardening from her father, who taught her much of what she knows. “Plant peas and potatoes by St. Patrick’s Day,” she said, reciting one of the gardening traditions passed along by her father. Wingerson also abides by another gardening tradition that's heralded in a 2,000-year-old proverb warning of an approaching storm: “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight/Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning.” “You wouldn’t want to put out your tender little plants on that day,” she said. Wingerson offers these tips for growing tomatoes: • Sprinkle baking soda
Blooming geraniums hang from pipes inside a greenhouse at Skinner Garden Store Inc. A variety of bedding plants can be seen in the background. [CAROLYN COGSWELL/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
Employees Cassidy Haag, left, and Kirsten Royer transplant salmon-colored geraniums at Jackson’s Greenhouse & Garden Center Inc. The plants were raised from seeds in the germination room at the nursery. [CAROLYN COGSWELL/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
Succulents, which are related to cacti, are popular among gardeners. Among the succulents on display at Skinner Garden Store Inc. is a flapjack plant, also known as a paddle plant. [CAROLYN COGSWELL/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
around tomato plants to reduce acidity. • Plastic milk jugs make great greenhouses for tomatoes in early spring. • “If there is no wind, tomatoes won’t pollinate,” she said, adding the solution is to “gently sway them with a broom.” Soil testing? Wingerson believes in having the pH level of her garden soil tested before each planting season by K-State Research and Extension staff.
Jackson’s Greenhouse & Garden Center Inc., 1933 N.W. Lower Silver Lake Road, also offers a pH test on customers’ soil before they begin their gardening. Like Wingerson’s father, Frank Kroeker, also of Tecumseh, recommends planting peas and potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day. However, Kroeker, who has a degree in horticultural therapy from Kansas State University and was the owner of Sonlight Nursery in Blanchard, Okla., from 2000 to 2009, differs from the
younger Wingerson in that he doesn’t insist on the necessity of testing soil to determine its pH level. “I’ve never seen anybody not have good soil in Kansas,” he said. Kroeker recommends raised bed gardens, especially for beginning gardeners. Raised beds can be constructed of various materials, such as railroad ties or landscape timber, and are elevated 6 to 8 inches above the ground. He believes raised bed gardens are easier to maintain and “not so
intimidating to weed.” Regardless of how you choose to plant, Kroeker also recommends crop rotation and mulching. When to plant Cameron Rees, coowner and general manager of Skinner Garden Store Inc., 4237 N.W. Lower Silver Lake Road, also offers gardening tips for homeowners and first-time gardeners. (If his last name is familiar, it might be because his grandfather See GARDENERS, 7
Peonies are a colorful addition to any flower garden. [METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION]
PERENNIAL PEONY If you are looking for a flower that will last a long time, consider the perennial peony. Regarded by many as a symbol of good fortune and a happy marriage, their flowers make great bouquets and are edible, according to Anna Aguillard, of Southern Living Magazine.
“Peonies will last 30 to 40 years without any trouble,” said Dave Jackson, owner of Jackson’s Greenhouse & Garden Center Inc. OTHER RESOURCES To learn more about gardening: • Sign up for a weekly gardening tips email at Jackson’s Greenhouse & Garden Center Inc., 1933 N.W. Lower Silver Lake Road. • The experts at Skinner Garden Store Inc., 4237 N.W. Lower Silver Lake Road, can answer gardening questions. • K-State Research and Extension provides gardening literature, including a vegetable planting guide, at bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu.
The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, April 7, 2018 7
Young adults embrace houseplants Selection based on use, required care By Dean Fosdick The Associated Press
Houseplants have been a mainstay of indoor decor for generations, but their selection and use has changed over time, particularly with urbanization. People no longer are wedded to placing a few potted African violets on sunny window sills to add color and texture to small spaces. Instead, they’re choosing less demanding houseplants, like succulents and cacti, or those offering utility, like herbs and strawberries. People no longer are wedded to growing a few African violets on sunny window shelves simply to add color to small spaces. They’re choosing less demanding houseplants — Young folks new to succulents, multi-purpose plants like herbs, or long-living plants like these orchids. [DEAN independent living often lack the means or time to FOSDICK VIA AP] raise pets or children, so they find living substiproven to work, but it the Green Revolution One of the newer tutes like houseplants. certainly shouldn’t hurt.” was a time when a huge trends is multi-funcThe plants become part Houseplants do require push was made to grow tioning houseplants. of the household. care, but they don’t things indoors,” Pennisi “Herbs, for exam“People give their need early-morning said. “The more plants ple, are nutritious,” houseplants names and walks or shuttling to in planters, the better. Pennisi said. “They talk to them,” said Bodie and from soccer games. “But times change. can go directly from Pennisi, an Extension They aren’t banned by Growers are selectplanter to plate.” horticulturist with the condo boards, as pets ing different plants. Some houseplants can University of Georgia. might be. They are inexThey’re going for smaller clear the air in enclosed “They also play music pensive and calming. plants. Mobile plants. surroundings. They for their plants so they’ll And they’ve been Succulents, orchids and absorb pollen, bacteria grow better. I don’t know enjoying a revival, cacti are being used to and molds while taking in if that kind of reachPennisi said. accessorize table setcarbon dioxide to proing out is scientifically “Back in the ‘70s, tings and entries.” cess into oxygen. These
GARDENERS From Page 6
was the original owner of Rees Fruit Farm, 2476 US-24 highway, which is known for fruit, nuts and food products.) Rees says entire books
are written about any gardening question you might have, but the initial thing he tells first-time gardeners is that Kansas has three planting seasons: spring, summer and fall. Spring and fall are the seasons for cool-season crops, such as onions, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce and spinach — a lot of spring crops can be
grown again in the fall. Summer is for warm-season crops, such as peppers, tomatoes, squash, eggplant and cucumbers. “Just make sure you’re hitting the right season,” Rees said. “Some types of plants start easier as seeds, but something already started makes a nice, little shortcut.”
Rees also says individuals don’t have to have “a big garden plot” to grow crops. “You can grow them on the patio. Just put it in a big pot,” he said. Wingerson recommends filling pots half full with foam packing peanuts and using coffee filters in the bottom of pots to keep
A gardener uses a feather to help pollinate a lemon tree being grown indoors as a different kind of potted houseplant. [DEAN FOSDICK VIA AP]
air-cleaning houseplants include spider plants, ficus, Boston fern, snake plants, aloe, English ivy and philodendron. Houseplants also can be therapeutic. “The mental health benefits of plants are obvious,” Pennisi said. “We’re linked with nature. Plants are part of us, whether we notice it or not. They give us something to nurture.” The DIY movement also has embraced plants, she added, whether through macrame hangers, decorated pots or the popularity of terrariums, miniature fairy gardens and bonsai. Houseplants are durable, but that doesn’t make them easier to
grow than ornamentals or vegetables, said Beth Berlin, an Extension educator with the University of Minnesota’s St. Cloud office. “Selection is important,” Berlin said. “Look at the natural environment in which they thrive and then look at your own. Plants have special needs inside your home, and you have to find them.” That includes deciding which potting soil to use, watering and feeding them properly, and providing enough humidity and light. “Light is the big deal,” Berlin said. “Leaves are the first symptoms to tell you if you’re overwatering or underwatering.”
soil from escaping. This method also makes the pot much lighter than filling it completely full with soil. Rees encourages gardeners to “experiment around.” “Don’t be afraid to fail,” he said. “We’ve all been down that road. We’ve all learned from it. And, certainly, don’t
be afraid to come in and ask questions.” Wingerson agrees. “There are no gardening mistakes, only gardening experiments,” she said. “You have to have hope.” Carolyn Cogswell is a freelance writer from Topeka. You can reach her at carolyncogswell@yahoo.com.
8 Saturday, April 7, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com
Five steps to rehab raised beds Wooden boxes typically become weaker over time By Maureen Gilmer Tribune News Service
Time is the arbiter of what works in a garden and what doesn't. It's why anything new requires at least a decade to discover its weaknesses. The great raised bed failure is right around the corner, as older wood products and shoddy construction destroy structural integrity. Just a few winters can find your boxes collapsed from rot, bugs and moisture if you used pallet wood or untreated salvage lumber. In the throes of spring passion, we use anything we can to get a garden in the ground — and then realize
how temporary raised beds can rot when Mother Nature has her way. Salvage lumber used for greater sustainability can lead to earth-towood contact, resulting in an unsustainable application. Beds usually become weaker with time. When a raised bed is full of soil, plants and mulch, the contents can be surprisingly heavy. When you add water — at about 8 pounds per gallon — the cumulative weight of rain or watering stresses the joints, placing great pressure on the bed’s corners and seams. You don't want those seams to fail during the growing season, yet that's when it usually happens. It's very hard to fix a raised bed in the summer when it’s full of plants. During spring and fall, repairs and
rehab can be done more easily. While planning your project, consider raising your beds if you have shallow root depth. Where soils are very difficult, the transition from one beam to two beams in height will ensure greater plant health, cooler roots and much greater drought resistance. A simple five-step process helps you get your project under way on those early spring days when the cold abates and the sun comes out. Here's how: • Remove existing soil if it's degraded to mostly woody matter and white perlite. Like all raised bed soils, the overall volume reduces as microbes and plants consume the fine humus. This leaves the beds See REHAB, 9
To avoid creosote seepage from railroad ties used to create raised beds, replace the beams with cleaner materials. [MAUREEN GILMER/ TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE]
The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, April 7, 2018 9
REHAB
tubes and emitters. Many soil and amendment additives take time to settle into the soil biology. That's why rehabilitating your beds well in advance of planting is better than throwing it all together at the last minute. It actually makes your garden more fertile overall. Raised beds are rarely
From Page 8
chronically under-filled and marginally fertile. Stockpile excavated soil temporarily. • Inspect the newly exposed interior sidewalls of the bed, if they held up during the soil removal step. Use a screwdriver to stab the wood to find rotten spots. Check the corner connections for anchorage or where they have chipped or split. • Make repairs or replace sidewalls using recycled plastic lumber like Trex, foundationgrade redwood or pressure-treated beams. If the original bed was shallow, add height now. Tip: Make repairs with wood screws and
Consider raising your beds another tier to provide a much deeper root zone. [MAUREEN GLIMER/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE]
an electric screwdriver instead of nails. Screws resist loosening from expansion and contraction with the seasons. • Replace the old soil into the bottom of the bed, then layer quality potting soil and compost above for maximum surface fertility. It gives your seedlings a perfect place to get started — a rich environment that
drives explosive growth. • Gently water these layers or let rain settle them over the coming months. If there's a drop, add more surface soil to bring it up to the top again. For those with drip irrigation, this is a great time to try direct burial inline drip tubing, which invisibly waters your garden without ugly surface
a one-and-done operation. They must be upgraded to keep the structure sound. Perhaps most important of all is fertility and meeting the needs of your vegetable plants throughout the season. Don’t fail to feed your raised bed soil. Like us, plants want five-star accommodations — great food, a
comfortable root zone and a solid bed beneath them to grow well and yield prodigiously. Maureen Gilmer is an author, horticulturist and landscape designer. Learn more at MoPlants. com. Contact her at mogilmer@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 891, Morongo Valley, Calif. 92256.
10 Saturday, April 7, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com
TIP OF THE WEEK
Daffodils and tulips Here are some tips from Better Homes and Gardens for tending flowers originating from bulbs: • Deadhead spent flowers on spring-blooming bulbs, so the plants send energy to the bulbs instead of into making seeds. • Leave the foliage until it turns brown and can be removed with a gentle tug. The leaves store nutrients needed for the bulb to bloom the following year. •Braiding or tying the leaves is not recommended, because it reduces the amount of light to the leaf surfaces. Source: bhg.com
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