AHL 052017

Saturday, May 20, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

home.cjonline.com remodeling

An open house Project removes interior walls of 1970s home page 6 n Controlling tree fungus, page 2 n Mower maintenance tips, page 3 n Decluttering your house, page 5

2 | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Got sycamore anthracnose? Don’t panic Several fungicides are available to control disease The Shawnee County Master Gardeners Response Line is getting dozens of calls from people who are seeing, or hearing about, sycamore trees suddenly showing scorching and wilting of new leaves and twigs.

Don’t panic. It’s only anthracnose, a serious but not fatal fungus that affects shade trees. It can be treated and controlled.

Sycamore anthracnose is the most serious of the anthracnose diseases in Kansas. The disease also attacks maple and ash trees, but not so much

elms, oaks and walnuts. It rarely causes significant damage to the tree, but it may result in an undesirable appearance of the tree, especially in highly visible settings.

The disease also can leave the tree more vulnerable to other diseases and insect problems.

Sycamore anthracnose is a fungus that overwinters in leaf debris on the ground and/or dead areas of the bark on the tree.

In early spring, the fungi produce spores, which then drift to the newly developing leaf buds, shoots

and young leaves. The fungi and infection process is aided by cool, wet spring weather.

Dillingham The initial effect of the disease is most noticeable with the death of young twigs and new leaves. As the disease spreads, older leaves are affected. In extremely wet, prolonged cool springs, the infected trees may experience a heavy loss of foliage.

However, as temperatures increase and drier weather prevails, the disease becomes less active, giving the tree a chance to recover as the second set (previously dormant) leaf

Upcoming events

n Annette Jackson, of Jackson’s Greenhouse and Garden Center, will present “Exciting New Plants, Roses and Shrubs” at 7 p.m. June 1 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. Free. n Friends of Ward-Meade will present three in-depth classes on how to grow, prune, harvest and cook with herbs. The first class will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 7 in the Preston Hale Room at Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site, 124 N.W. Fillmore St. Class size is limited; cost is $15 per class. Information: (785) 251-2993. n The Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners will answer lawn and garden questions from 7:30 a.m. to noon June 10 and 24 at the Downtown Farmers Market, S.W. 12th Ave. and S.W. Harrison. buds sprout out.

Anthracnose fungi thrive on wet leaves.

Therefore, the best cultural practice, when planting new trees, is to keep the trees spread out, taking into account their mature height and spread, so they get good air circulation, which reduces the

amount of time the leaf is wet following a rainstorm or morning dew.

Also, healthy trees resist the fungus better than stressed trees, so keep the trees properly fertilized and watered.

Because the fungus can overwinter in leaf debris, another good cultural

practice for established trees is to clean up and get rid of the leaves and twigs when they fall. Don’t use them in your garden or compost pile, because that may inoculate your garden and compost for further fungus dispersal.

Removal of the fallen leaves will reduce the number of fungi present to inoculate next year’s new leaf buds and leaves.

However, it doesn’t rid the tree of the fungi surviving in blighted twigs and the bark still on the tree.

Therefore, if the problem persists, you may need to turn to chemical sprays.

Several fungicides are labeled for anthracnose control, including those GARDEN continues on 4

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | 3

Keep your mower running smoothly

By Mike LaFollette Angie’s List

Few pieces of home equipment take a beating like the lawn mower, yet it’s often neglected until it won’t start or something breaks.

A lack of preventive maintenance almost guarantees an early death for your lawn mower, but you don’t have to be a mechanic to keep it buzzing.

Read the owner’s manual.

“It tells you how the maker of your mower wants you to take care of it,” said Chris Arvin, owner of Mow Better in Greenfield, Ind. “It’s in their best interest to keep you, the customer, happy with their product so when it finally wears out in 10 to 15 years, you’ll buy another.”

Drain gas at season’s end.

Lawn mower repair technicians say old gasoline is one

of the main suspects when a mower won’t start. Arvin says you should run the remaining gas out of the mower or drain it at the end of each mowing season, and always use fresh gas in the spring.

Check the oil.

Monitor the oil level and look for floating debris or oil that looks dark black. Old or contaminated oil should be drained and replaced.

To change the oil, remove the drain plug underneath and allow it to drain completely.

If your mower doesn’t have a drain plug, you’ll need to carefully tilt the mower on its side and drain through the fill hole.

Be sure to consult your manual for the correct method and type of oil to use.

Clean out the undercarriage.

Grass caked in the undercarriage can clog a mower’s discharge chute. Use a wire brush to scrape grass clippings and

Angie’s List

By keeping up with annual maintenance, your mower will run great this year and many years to come. dirt from the undercarriage and spray the remaining debris away with a hose. Always disconnect the spark plug beforehand.

Inspect the air filter.

A clogged or dirty filter puts added stress on the mower

and burns gas less efficiently.

Most mowers have a paper or foam filter that can be easily accessed. Replacement filters are inexpensive, so most pros MOWER continues on 8

4 | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Garden party raises money for internship program The annual event features silent auction, food The Capital-Journal Tickets are on sale for the Friends of the Kansas State University Gardens’ annual Garden Party. The “Can You Dig It?”-themed party begins at 6:30 p.m.

June 2 at the gardens, 1500 Denison Ave. in Manhattan.

Barbara Pearson, a member of the Friends organization, said the party will

feature a fountain and flower arrangements under a large white tent. Attendees can stroll through the gardens, dance or listen to DJ music spanning the 1950s-80s and bid during a silent auction on items donated by Manhattan area businesses and the Friends of the KSU Gardens board members.

A drawing for a Manhappiness pillow and valet

parking will be available.

Pearson said the event, which is in its 13th year, typically draws 125 people and raises about $20,000 for the K-State Gardens internship program.

Tickets, which include cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres, are $100 per person. Tickets are available by calling the K-State Foundation at (785) 5327417.

Garden: Fungicides can be injected Continued from 2

containing thiophanate and other copper formulations. Because the fungi can infect the leaf buds, begin spraying at bud swell and make one or two additional rounds of spraying at 10- to 14-day intervals. Good leaf and twig coverage, top and bottom, is essential. And, as always, read and follow the instructions on the fungicide label.

Spraying may work for small and medium-size trees. But what about those 50-feet-high mature sycamore trees? There are systemic fungicides

that can be injected into the trees. Two such chemicals are Arbotect and Alamo. These chemicals are injected in the fall by drilling small holes in the tree trunk or base and injecting the chemicals.

The chemicals are carried through the waterconducting system of the tree to the limbs, twigs and leaves to provide the early-season protection needed to control the fungus. The procedure must be done for two consecutive years and may have to be repeated periodically depending upon the presence of the

disease.

Drilling holes in trees is generally not conducive to good long-term tree health. Therefore, only a well-qualified professional arborist familiar with the process should be employed to do the procedure.

Note: Information for this article was taken from a paper produced

by K-State Research and Extension/Department of Plant Pathology, that references the book “Anthracnose Diseases of Shade Trees.”

Ed Dillingham is a Shawnee County Master Gardener.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | 5

Declutter by tossing things you don’t need

By Gabrielle Savoie Domaine

We may think we’re constantly running on empty with no time to exercise, cook or see our friends, but that’s not entirely true.

Even the busiest of us have these rare moments at home — scrolling through Instagram, looking for something to watch on Netflix or flipping through an old magazine or newspaper.

These moments might be short and fleeting, but that’s no reason not to make the most of them.

Even if you only have five to 10 minutes to spare — maybe while procrastinating before getting ready for an event or waiting to be tired enough to go to sleep — there are a few things you can toss to make your life a lot more organized and efficient.

We tapped organizational expert and author Barbara Reich to guide us through

the areas of our home that could use a little decluttering. Maybe you need to toss these things, too.

Living room

In the living room, old tchotchkes and mementos may be cluttering your shelves. Your cupboards may be overflowing with unused board games (or even worse, cassette tapes).

Put on a show on Netflix, and give your space room to breathe.

Toss this now: n Framed photos that aren’t in focus or relevant. n Vacation mementos that no longer fit the space. n Accessories that have no meaning or are creating clutter. n Board games that no one plays. n Anything chipped or broken.

Kitchen

The real culprits of our

unorganized kitchen? Higher shelves: the ones you use so seldom, you wonder why they even exist. Put on a podcast and work your way from the top down, throwing out anything that’s no longer relevant.

Toss this now: n Any food storage container missing a top. n Any large appliance that’s never used or doesn’t work. n Any food past its expiration date. n Mismatched mugs that you’ve accumulated. n Teflon pans that are scratched.

Bedroom

Our closets are periodically in need of a good cleanup, but there are other areas of the bedroom that could use some decluttering, too: excess bedding in the linen closet or mismatched items in the jewelry box, for example. Throw on some tunes before this

Just be real with yourself.

Toss this now: n Medications that are past their expiration date. n Toiletries and cosmetics that are past their expiration date. n Lipstick in colors you’ll never use. n Extra travel or promotion cosmetic bags.

Entryway

Dreamstime

Even if you only have minutes to spare, there are a few things you can toss to make your life more organized. clean-out.

Toss this now: n Excess pillows on the bed. n Clothing and shoes that don’t fit or are beyond repair. n Anything received as a gift that isn’t used. n Bedding that doesn’t fit the bed. n Bedding that’s old and

stained.

Bathroom

Medicine cabinets and vanities are real magnets for beauty products and medications that go unused. While it’s contradictory to throw out a perfectly good product, you know deep down whether it’ll ever come useful or not.

The space where we enter and leave our home tends to accumulate a lot of clutter: mail, paperwork, magazines, not to mention the entryway closet, which is often filled with out-ofseason and out-of-fashion items. Give this space a good cleanup next time you head out the door.

Toss this now: n Old receipts that aren’t needed. n Newspapers and magazines that have accumulated. n Keys that are no longer relevant.

6 | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Remodel creates open space in 1970s home

Keith Horinek photos/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

The kitchen cabinets in Robert and Kathleen Rice’s home are white, and the island is a rich wood tone. The room also has two shades of granite countertops that complement each other. Below: The Rices waited until their children left home before they remodeled. The goal of the project was to create a feeling of openness and brightness in the 1970s house.

Walls were halved; cabinets and countertops replaced

By Linda Ditch

Special to The Capital-Journal

When Robert and Kathleen Rice moved into their 1970s ranch home almost 25 years ago, they knew it needed updates.

The long, narrow entry hall, wood-paneled wainscoting and closed-off living spaces were fine for the home’s first decade, but far from the open-concept trend in modern-day houses. However, life got in the way of any changes happening.

“When you have small children growing up, you don’t have the time and money to remodel,” Kathleen said.

Now that both of their daughters are adults and the only “children” at home are four dogs, a cat

and two guinea pigs, the couple decided it was time to make a change. Robert noted many people update their house just before selling, but they wanted to remodel so they could stay. Kathleen was looking for openness and brightness.

Winston Brown was called on to do the work. Robert said the choice was primarily because of the company’s stellar reputation: “They’ve been around for years, and we wanted someone who knew what they’re doing.”

The project opened up the walls of the entryway, living room, dining room, kitchen and family room. A stairway to the Remodel continues on 7

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | 7

Remodel: ‘Wood’ flooring is actually vinyl Consider budget,

materials when building a fence

Continued from 6

basement is in the middle of the area, but the full walls were made into half walls to open up the sightlines and let in more natural light. Also, a backyard pond was moved to accommodate a new set of sliding doors.

The Winston Brown design team helped the couple pick out the surfaces that would fit their family’s lifestyle. Robert and Kathleen chose flooring that looks like wood but is actually vinyl with a cork backing to withstand animal traffic.

The Custom Woods kitchen cabinets are white, and the island is a rich wood tone. There are also two shades of granite countertops that complement each other.

Some of the most beautiful woodwork in the home is somewhat bittersweet.

The new bookcases around the fireplace, as well as the mantel, were built by the late Stephen Snyder, who was killed in early May. Snyder also built a beautiful raised feeding station for the dogs, with a separate bowl for each animal.

Kathleen and Robert were told the project would be complete in three months. In actuality, it took six weeks.

“Winston Brown was very organized,” Robert said. “They had at least two guys working here every day, and one guy dropped off supplies in the morning and cleaned up in the evening.”

“They were very petfriendly,” Kathleen added.

“The guys made sure nothing was in the way for our blind dog to run into. They even offered to let our dogs out if we needed them to, and they made sure our cat stayed in.”

For the couple, the hardest part of the remodel was packing up everything and carrying it downstairs,

Check for restrictions before installation

By Emily Udel Angie’s List

Keith Horinek photos/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Robert and Kathleen Rice chose flooring that looks like wood but is actually vinyl with a cork backing to withstand animal traffic. The walls of the old living room were opened up to create a feeling of openness. Below: New bookcases — with a matching mantel — frame the fireplace.

just as if they were moving. Plus, no matter how careful the workmen were about keeping everything clean, there was a lot of dust.

Robert recommended putting plastic over everything, and Kathleen recalled, “When they were done, we had to bring everything back upstairs, dust and all.”

The best advice they got before the project started was to set aside a room somewhere else in

the house in which to live.

Otherwise, they would have been stuck in their bedroom throughout the remodel.

They chose a middle bedroom to make into a living area, with an oversized chair they both could share, a small refrigerator, a television and four dog kennels. The back bedroom became a pantry, with a microwave and snack food.

“Plan to eat out a lot, or have great friends who in-

vite you over for dinner,” Kathleen said.

Robert and Kathleen are thrilled with the remodel.

When asked if they would have done anything different, neither could think of anything.

“I love my double ovens,” Kathleen said. “I can’t wait for Christmas, when the girls come over to do the baking with me.”

Linda A. Ditch is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at lindaaditch@gmail.com.

Maybe you want your kids or pets to be able to play safely in the yard, or would like to create some privacy. But are you on the fence about what material best suits your fence installation?

First, consider security, because some designs are better than others.

Next, think about what fits your budget. Maintenance is also a concern, because not all fencing materials are created equal.

Also, decide how much privacy and aesthetics matter.

Now let’s look at the types: n Chain-link fence.

Perhaps not the most attractive choice of materials, chain-link will keep kids out of a pool area and pets in the yard. They do the trick, and at about $13 a foot, likely present your most affordable fencing option. n Wood fence. A wooden fence may come nearly as cheap as chain-link and can be installed in many styles.

A wood fence can be great for keeping pets in and nosy neighbors out. The need for regular re-staining presents the one major downside. Also, a wood fence can become a feast for pests, such as termites. n Vinyl fence. A vinyl fence offers a great alternative to wood, because you can get a sim-

ilar look with next to no maintenance. Another plus: Hungry pests won’t see the synthetic vinyl composite material as dinner. Starting at about $30 per foot, though, vinyl fencing will increase your budget. n Aluminum fence. If privacy isn’t a concern, but security of pets or children is, this might be a good choice for you. If you want a fence that gives a hint of the wrought-iron vibe at a lower cost, consider an aluminum fence. Aluminum typically costs more than a vinyl, wood or chain-link fence, though, at about $40 per foot. n Wrought-iron fence.

Looking for a unique, classy vibe? A wroughtiron fence offers style in spades, but probably presents your most expensive option in terms of fencing materials. It may rust over time, but occasional paint touchups should keep your fence looking great.

Do you have a homeowners association or other group that governs what you can build on your property?

Check for any restrictions before installing that chain-link fence.

It’s also good practice to inform neighbors with land adjacent to your property of any emerging plans you have for a fence project.

Who knows, they might even agree to split the cost.

8 | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

10 tips for fresh floral looks With the warm weather officially here and flowers beginning to bloom, many homeowners may be looking for interesting and creative ways to display florals.

Flowers don’t just have to be placed in a vase. While fresh flowers are fragrant and gorgeous, artificial arrangements may be an attractive, maintenance-free home decor option.

When looking to incorporate florals into your home decor, here are some design tips.

n Consider nonfloral options such as succulents and grasses, which can be very appropriate for modern environments. n Consider using pure white. In certain environments, white flowers can feel really crisp, clean and fresh. n Experiment with different types of vessels and containers. Often opaque or graphic patterns can create interest. n Consider using floral arrangements of different heights in your space. It can really help to create an increased sense of drama.

Do

Don’t

By Cathy Hobbs

Tribune News Service

n Look for color and texture. Flowers are a wonderful opportunity to create interest.

n Just use clear glass vases and containers. Use your vases as an opportunity to bring color into your decor.

Mower: Maintain your lawn care investment Continued from 3

Hanna Rokes/Submitted

Tall artificial calla lillies create a focal point in this space. n Dismiss artificial florals as an option. The artificial floral industry has come a long way with a host of very realistic and attractive options. n Forget to use blooms in even small areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

n Overdo it. Too many flowers in a space can come across as overpowering and unappealing. n Just stick to traditional colors. Black flowers and those in interesting or mixed shades may be appealing.

recommend an annual replacement to ensure optimal performance.

Change the spark plug.

Like the air filter, the spark plug is extremely important to a functioning mower, yet inexpensive and easy to replace.

Change it every year to ensure an easy start. Unhook the spark plug wire and remove the old plug with a socket or spark plug wrench. Install the new plug but don’t overtighten it or it could prevent the mower from starting.

Sharpen the blade.

Mower blades endure a great deal of stress, thanks to rocks, large branches and other hidden objects. A dull blade rips and tears grass instead of providing a clean

cut. Some people sharpen their own blades with a vice and metal file, but it’s not recommended for the inexperienced. A mower repair shop can sharpen your blade for a small fee, and it’s usually included with mower tune-up.

Get a professional tuneup.

It’s a great way to ensure your mower is in top working order for the season.

A mower repair shop will drain the old gas from the mower, replace the air filter and spark plug and perform basic diagnostic tests.

For a quick turnaround, take your mower in at the close of the mowing season or before spring grasses start to grow. Prices will vary depending on the shop, but you can expect to pay $50 to $75.

2017 NORTHEAST KANSAS WEDDINGS EXPO 10 A.M.-3 P.M. SUNDAY, JULY 30

KANSAS EXPOCENTRE TOPEKA EXHIBITION HALL

SAVE $2!

Purchase Tickets At: cjonline.com/NEKSWeddingsExpo2017

Visit Topeka Hy-Vee's Customer Service Counter For Your Discount Code

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | 9

TOP OF THE WEEK: MICRO Managing Here’s an easy way to wipe away microwave grime: n Place inside the microwave a 4-cup microwave-safe bowl that contains 1 cup of water and a chopped-up lemon, lime or orange or several tablespoons of vinegar. n Turn on High for several minutes, or until the solution boils and the window is steamy. n Let it sit to cool for 15 minutes before opening the door. Remove and wipe out inside. n Clean the rubber gasket around the door with a sponge dampened with water only. If the window is greasy, clean with a mixture of half vinegar and half water, then dry.

Source: Heloise via goodhousekeeping.com

Service Directory

10 | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | 11

12 | Saturday, May 20, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com