At Home Living 080517

Saturday, August 5, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

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landscaping

Tending your trees Rubbing branches, pests cause problems page 6 n Get in shape in the garden, page 2 n Home builders going green, page 3 n Designing a backyard shrine, page 7

metro creative connections

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Gardening makes for a healthier lifestyle Gardening enhances your health in many ways. Food you grow is better tasting and more nutritious, you control the chemicals used and the exercise improves your mental and physical health.

Research shows eating locally grown foods, whether homegrown or purchased at a local farmers market, gives you the highest nuBrenda Jarboe tritional value because the produce is fresher and more nutritious than fruits and veggies shipped from around the world, which lose nutritive value in transit.

Fresh also tastes better because there is less time from harvest to table, allowing the produce to be picked at peak flavor and ripeness, rather than picked early to ripen during shipping and distribution.

The better it tastes, the more you will eat. Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables and herbs allows you to eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-calorie and low-sodium diet, while the fiber found in these foods gives you a longer-lasting feeling of fullness.

Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of some cancers, heart disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Therefore, when choosing which fruits and vegetables to eat, you should pick a rainbow of colors because important nutrients are found in different colors of produce.

Red fruits and veggies aid in a healthy heart. Blue and purple promote a healthy heart and memory. Yellow and orange are good for healthy eyes and immune systems, and greens help regulate blood pressure, prevent bone loss and protect cells.

Growing all kinds of herbs to use for seasoning instead of salt reduces sodium intake and high blood pressure.

Gardening is good for your health in more ways than simply providing fruits and vegetables for good nutrition.

Gardening is often overlooked as a good source of moderate exercise, with health benefits equivalent to walking or biking.

Gardening is good exercise because it uses and stretches so many muscles.

Carrying a bucket of compost, spading

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

n Want to become a Master Gardener?

The Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave., will be offering classes for future Master Gardeners from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, September through October.

Information and an application can be found at shawnee.k-state.edu. Applications are due Aug. 11.

■■The Kansas Forest Service will present an emerald ash borer seminar from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 16 in the Preston Hale Room at the Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site, 124 N.W. Fillmore St. Free, but registration by Aug. 11 is required. Register by calling (785) 532-3301, faxing (785) 532-3305 or e-mailing rethmank@ ksu.edu.

■■Master Gardeners will answer your lawn and garden questions from 7:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 12 at the Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, S.W. 12th and S.W. Harrison.

■■Elsie Gibeson, Shawnee County Extension Master Gardener, will present “Monarchs, Milkweed and Way Stations” at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. to plant a tree, raking, hoeing, wrestling boulders and trimming and pruning bushes all use different muscles, giving the body a healthy workout.

Being in the sun also provides much needed vitamin D for strong bones and calcium absorption — just be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen and clothing.

Before attempting any strenuous gardening task, check with your health care provider and be sure to do warm-up and cool-down exercises just as you would for any other physical exercise.

Research from the University of Missouri Extension points to the mental health benefits of gardening. Its publication, “Community Gardening Toolkit — The Benefits of Community Gardening” (Malakoff, 1995), states: “Interacting with plants and having access to nature help reduce stress and increase gardeners’ sense of wellness and belonging.”

In an article titled “Therapeutic Gardening,” Virginia Cooperative Extension states: “Everyone can get rewards from gardening whether these are physical, JARBOE continues on 4

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Green home construction costs more, saves energy

By Liz Montano

Special to The Capital-Journal

The city of Topeka has had building codes for a long time. While more recently adopted, Shawnee County also has certain standards that must be met by home builders. Across the country, building codes must meet a minimum standard in constructing houses.

However, according to Topeka Home Builders Association CEO Ivan Weichert, Weichert some local builders are taking quality and efficiency to a whole new level in order to meet the National Green Building Standard.

Going green from the get-go may be a little pricier, but it saves money over years of ownership, said Weichert, who recently sat down to explain the NGBS and why it’s important to homebuyers and the environment.

Q: What makes the National Green Building Standard so much more stringent than most local building codes country-wide?

Weichert: There are many differences.

One of the major things is energy efficiency and materials — looking at the efficiency of building materials before committing to using them. In a bigger sense, looking at the whole product, including site design, before beginning the project.

Q: How does the building site lend to energy efficiency?

Weichert: Choosing a site that doesn’t have a lot of changes in elevation and the way the home would be positioned to the sun can affect heating and cooling costs. It’s more than that, though.

It’s also about making minimal changes to the environment. The goal is to protect water runoff and trees (and) take care of the natural habitat.

Q: Then what, once the site is selected?

Weichert: Then looking at the design of

TOPEKA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

n Address: 1505 S.W. Fairlawn Road n Information about membership or upcoming events: Visit thba.com; email thba@thba.com; or call (785) 273-1260. n Information about National Green Building Standards, visit nahb.org

‘‘

Choosing a site that doesn’t have a lot of changes in elevation and the way the home would be positioned to the sun can affect heating and cooling costs.”

Ivan Weichert

president and CEO of Topeka Home Builders Association

the home and resource effectiveness in all products used to build — lumber, shingles, concrete. For example, some engineered woods today are stronger materials, whereby less natural resources are required.

Reduction of waste is a consideration — pre-planning to make the best use of the materials. Drive by most construction sites and you’ll see a huge pile of waste.

These builders plan it out so they aren’t using a small piece of plywood for the last piece then throwing the majority of the sheet away.

They pay attention to the kind of equipment used for the HVAC system.

Using the proper size ductwork makes a difference.

They pay attention to the kinds of and installation of doors and windows to ensure energy efficiency.

Water efficiency is another priority.

NGBS requires builders to have controls on water systems to regulate the temperature and flow of water and prevent water loss.

The system can recognize when there is an emergency water situation and shut the water off.

Q: An emergency water situation, such as?

Weichert: If a laundry hose bursts, the system recognizes the abnormal use and shuts the water off so it doesn’t flood your home. It can also recognize a slow leak situation and shut the system down.

And one step further, the recognition of gray water (bathtub and shower) as opposed to black water (toilet and kitchen sink). Gray water doesn’t need to go back to the treatment plant. It can be reused, for example, to water plants.

COSTS continues on 8

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Let glass reflect your decor choices

By Cathy Hobbs

Tribune News Service

When designers look to infuse color into a space, glass isn’t typically their first choice.

While glass can lend itself to multiple applications, glass is often viewed as too transparent a medium to use to add color to a room.

However, if one selects the right glass pieces, glass can not only add color, but also interest and dimension to a space as well.

If considering decorating with glass, here are some overall do’s and don’ts.

Do: n Consider using glass objects of all one color. This can help to make a powerful color statement. n Consider incorporating other glass decorative pieces in your space, such as lighting. n Mix opaque glass with glass selections that may be more transparent. n Consider using warm tones of glass, such as amber. n Use interesting shapes of glass, such

as those that may have objects embedded within the glass or interesting and unusual shapes and sizes. Blown glass lends itself to a large array of possibilities.

Don’t: n Be afraid to use more than one glass item together in the same vignette. Sometimes decorative glass items placed in a series can be a powerful presentation. n Use too many clear or transparent surfaces. They will likely vanish amongst your decor. n Place glass decorative objects on a glass surface. To really highlight your decorative glass items, placement on a solid surface, such as wood or stone, is best. n Forget white and black are colors.

White or glass decorative selections can blend well with other colors in a space without clashing. n Overlook the power of investing in quality pieces of decorative glass. Nearly all high-end glass is created by the hand of a skilled artisan and should stand the test of time without being trendy.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host, and a nationally known

Jarboe: Gardening balances health Continued from 2

emotional, spiritual or mental well-being. … We often don’t realize that it can improve communication and social skills, confidence and self-esteem, feelings of well-being, nutrition, knowledge and enjoyment.”

In summary, gardening — whether an enjoyable hobby or a chore — provides

fresh, good-tasting and nutritious food, is as chemical-free as you choose, and is good physical and mental exercise, which overall makes a healthier you.

So what’s not to like about gardening?

Let’s all get growing.

Brenda Jarboe is a nutrition educator, coordinator for the Community Garden Network for the Shawnee County Extension Office and a Shawnee County Master Gardener.

Design recipes

Small pieces of glass can be mixed to create colorful objects. interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit cathyhobbs.com.

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Plumber flush with toilet ideas

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Dear Ed: We are planning to build our first new home and I am in charge of choosing the toilets. Can you give me a little toilet guidance?

— Jean, New Jersey A: The new theme I have seen is to think green, smart and clean. With that in mind, here are my three basic tips: n High-efficiency toilets.

A high-efficiency toilet flushes with less than 1.3 gallons of water per flush. Look for one with a good bowl rinse for best performance. n Smart designs.

Wall-hung toilets with concealed tanks can open up a little more bathroom space, while electronic toilets with built-in bidets can add class and comfort. n Easy cleaning.

Quick-release toilets seats, skirted trapways and touchless flushing can help you keep a tidy throne fit for a king.

Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com.

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DREAMSTIME

Rather than spend money on succulents, consider buying an air plant, the succulent-like plant that tops ProFlowers’ list of “plants you cant kill.”

Brown thumb? Buy an airplant

By Faith Cummings Domaine

KOHLER

Wall-hung toilets with concealed tanks can open up a little more bathroom space.

It’s a common predicament: You want to have one of those Instagramworthy apartments that’s beautifully decorated with plants, but you can’t keep a green thing alive to save your life. Not watering enough, watering too much, too much or too little light — we’ve made every mistake in the book.

But rather than spend even more

money on succulents or a second fiddle-leaf fig, consider air plants, the succulent-like plant topping ProFlowers’ list of “plants you can’t kill.” They basically thrive off of neglect and require attention once every 14 days.

“Simply soak them (in water) at least once every two weeks and keep them indoors in indirect light,” instructs ProPlants Merchandise product manager Shannon Fleming-Barnhardt.

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Tree Maintenance

The root of all your troubles

By Dustin Lemmon

Special to The Capital-Journal

How do you tell if an elm tree has Dutch elm disease?

How do you know if an ash tree is succumbing to emerald ash borer?

How do you know if your seemingly healthy tree is about to croak and collapse on your house in the next storm?

The answer is it’s not always easy. Not unless there are obvious signs of trauma, like multiple dead branches or leaves changing color or falling early.

You shouldn’t feel bad if you can’t tell, said Greg Gathers, owner of Custom Tree Care Inc., 3722 S.W. Spring Creek Lane. That’s what arborists are for.

“There are a lot of tree problems that are not easily identified by a homeowner that is not trained,” Gathers said. “We’re in the business of trying to preserve the health of the tree.”

In some cases, that may mean pruning branches to help make the tree healthier and stronger, but a homeowner isn’t going to know which branches to trim.

Gathers said the right pruning techniques can help eliminate problems and reduce hazards from weak branches.

“A lot of the problems we

see are directly related to bad tree care, bad pruning or cuts,” he said. “If it’s done improperly, it can cause trouble down the road.”

Another common problem Gathers sees is homeowners planting trees too close to the house. Over time, those trees grow and need room, but homeowners don’t account for that when the tree is just a sapling.

Signs of trouble

Michael Young, owner of Topeka Tree Care Inc., 4141 N.W. 25th St., said homeowners can look for some obvious signs.

“Make sure there is no die-back at the top of the tree,” he advised. “If you’re getting a lot of dead branches, that could be a problem.”

Like Gathers, Young’s company can help with finding problems and recommending solutions.

“We can usually identify if it’s a bug, a fungus, something in the soil, if the tree has a disease,” he said.

There are other things they can spot, too.

“Branches crossing or rubbing can cause decay and result in a branch falling on your house,” he noted.

They also can check for branches growing over your house or power lines, and

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEITH HORINEK/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Custom Tree Care employee Nelson Medina, right, removes small branches from a tree using a pole saw, while Spencer Nestler, another employee, gathers some cuttings. those rubbing against the shingles of your home.

Disease and pests

Young and Gathers noted that the emerald ash borer was just confirmed in Shawnee County.

“Our company hasn’t found any yet, but others have,” Young noted.

The beetle, which is native to Asia, has been spreading across North America for years now, leaving dead ash trees behind.

This presents a dilemma for homeowners: Do they treat their ash tree or have it cut down?

“You can use an injection to save the tree, but you’re committing to a lifetime of treatment for the tree,” Young noted.

Injections, which in the case of ash trees are usu-

Finding new trees

If you’re looking to replace a tree, or simply fill an open space in your yard, there are some good options out there.

Young said any tree from the red oak family is a safe choice.

“They’re hardy trees that grow well in our climate,” he said.

He also recommends shumard oaks, which grow to 80 feet tall with a spread Dillon Britain, an employee of Custom Tree Care, trims of 50 to 60 feet. They have tree branches from the bucket of the tree service’s truck near Munn Memorial Drive and Zoo Parkway in Gage Park. similarities to red oaks.

As for trees to avoid, the ally done every two years the injection for emerald ash is obvious. Gathers said homeowners also should and cost $200 or more, can ash borer will work.

“Some companies claim stay away from Scotch pine be used to treat for emerald ash borer, Dutch elm they can treat for it,” he because they’re a host for disease, pine wilt and other said. “I’ve heard mixed re- pine wilt.

Bradford pears are anproblems. There is no per- sults.”

He thinks it’s best to other poor choice, because manent cure for most tree go ahead and remove ash their branches are weak and ailments. tend to break easily.

Gathers isn’t confident trees.

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Building a backyard shrine

By Maureen Gilmer Tribune News Service

When does a garden become hallowed ground? When we have created a space for spirituality or remembrance there.

Traditionally called shrines, these amazing spiritual nooks in nature remind us that peace can be found in this chaotic world.

You’ll find shrines in the ruins of every ancient civilization, proving desire for expression is intrinsic to human nature.

Shrines are a testament to our beliefs, loves, memories and values. That’s why they were so common in Catholic family home gardens. Many were first constructed as memorials for fallen soldiers from many wars. Others were dedicated to beloved parents and lost children.

Most featured Mary, the mother of Jesus, often perched in an upturned bathtub grotto, but St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and nature, is even more common.

Today, the many spiritual pathways are coming together in the garden, so it’s natural to rekindle this form of artistic expression to lend meaning to our favorite spaces.

There are two ways to create these elements, depending on your personal preference. Images and figural statuary can reflect Mary, Buddha and other religious icons. Another option: a photo of a loved one in a weatherproof case or glazed on a ceramic tile.

Where no images are used, then the shrine becomes an altar for expressing ourselves with offerings, more esoteric symbols and objects of meaning. This can reflect a reverence for Earth with a beautiful natural space, petroglyphs, mandalas, minerals and plants along with other natural elements.

It is the space you deem the center of your landscape’s spiritual universe, be it a nook in the side yard or the focal point of your view-shed.

To create such a space this summer is a great way to refocus the mind from current events to the inner spirit that truly matters. If you practice yoga or other spiri-

Spider mites are irritants

By K-State Research and Extension

MAUREEN GILMER/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Backyard shrines can be very personal, especially when made out of meaningful objects. (Maureen Gilmer/ Tribune News Service) tually based disciplines, this is a great way to create an appropriate outdoor space. This is why the space you choose is directly related to the way you practice your own brand or blend of spirituality.

Spaces for shrines dedicated to prayer and meditation shouldn’t be close to sources of neighbor noise. They should be designed with respect to the weather during seasons of use, so you’ll always be comfortable there. Where privacy is needed, the space needs room for a screen hedge or partition.

Within the space, you’ll need a

comfortable place to relax and let your mind wander its spiritual corridors. A comfortable outdoor chair with a high back takes the least amount of space. For larger areas, a chaise lounge or a budget recycled futon. Pay attention to your ground treatment if you do yoga for a clean, smooth surface for the mat.

Once created, these spaces tend to evolve as you do. Items gathered there may change from time to time as your path grows and diversifies. Virtually all spiritual spaces are beautiful, so the final

item — and the most important — are plants and flowers. These give your shrine life and change as the days pass. By fall, make sure you have bright leaves there before it all goes to bed before winter.

Make it a delightful place to look at and one pleasing to spend time in so your shrine becomes a place of genesis, rekindling the fading fires.

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.

MANHATTAN — While the hot weather may be giving your garden plants a case of the “blahs,” they also may be fighting a nearly invisible pest problem.

Spider mites are tiny dark-colored creatures that live on the undersides of leaves. Neither insects nor arachnids, these arthropods get the “spider” in their name from the protective webbing they create when they feed on leaves.

“An early symptom associated with spider mite damage is referred to a ‘stippling’ and/or ‘speckling,’ because spider mites feed on the chlorophyll of plants, thus removing the green content,” said Raymond Cloyd, K-State Research and Extension specialist in horticultural entomology.

As the infestation progresses, the plant will begin to look droopy.

The easiest way to test for spider mites is to use a blank, white piece of printer paper. Hold the paper under a leaf and then tap the stem of the leaf with your finger.

Don’t shake the leaf — just tap it. If small black specks fall onto the paper, watch for movement. If they move, you have spider mites.

Cloyd’s first suggestion is to try to dislodge the mites with a forceful spray of water.

Chemical controls are effective — you can choose organic or synthetic formulas. Persistence is the key to payoff, Cloyd said.

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Costs: Info on value shared Continued from 3

Q: What’s the key to helping people understand the value of such effort and equipment?

Weichert: That’s a part of the process — educating the community.

It’s vital to help lenders under-

stand why these products are worth so much more so these homes appraise for their actual “green” value.

Q: How many Topeka builders are implementing these standards?

Weichert: Right now, four: Mark Boling, Keith Kerns, Ryan Passow and Mike Pressgrove.

We’re hoping this movement continues to catch on in Topeka, since these standards produce better homes that will last longer and help protect the environment.

Liz Montano is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at (785) 2303907 or newsbizliz@gmail.com.

Tip of the week: JEWELRY jousting Here are a few tips to keep your necklaces untangled and your earrings paired: n A five-rung pants hanger makes a great jewelry organizer. Use the top rungs for bracelets; the bottom rungs for necklaces. n Prevent tangled necklaces with drinking straws.

Thread each chain through a straw and hook the clasp. n To prevent misplacing an earring or its back, take a pair of earrings and place them through the holes of a button. Use a button for each pair of earrings.

Source: heloise via goodhousekeeping.com

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Service Directory

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