At Home Living 020417

Saturday, February 4, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

home.cjonline.com

gardening

Plant parade

All-American Selections debuts flowers, vegetables page 6 n Jamie Kidd on the Kansas Garden Show, page 2 n Organizing tiny kitchens, page 4 n Hardwood makes a comeback, page 8

all-america selections

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Garden show takes on storybook theme Do you remember your favorite storybook or nursery rhyme? Mine was “The Little Match Girl.” My children loved “Goodnight Moon.” I loved it, too.

The Kansas Garden Show’s theme this year is “Storybook Gardens.”

Imaginations are going wild with some wonderful designs for the show, which is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 10-11 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive.

We’ll be having a game this year called “Name That Storybook!” Here’s how you play: Guess the storybooks depicted in a number of specified booths. Write your guess on a form provided as you enter the show. Deposit

JAMIE KIDD

jamiehan@ksu.edu

your entry form in containers at the Master Gardener booth near the south exit or the information booth in the atrium.

Prize packages will be announced during the week following the show.

The Topeka Floral Arts Club will be having a separate but similar game with its own prize.

The seminars again will be upstairs on the mezzanine, where the concession

KANSAS GARDEN SHOW

What: A three-day expo featuring the latest in horticulture, gardening and outdoor living products and equipment; educational and commercial vendors; and seminars.

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 10-11 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 Where: Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive Admission: $8; free for children 12 and under. No charge for parking.

Senior day is Feb. 10, when those 55 years and older can buy one ticket and get another one free. stands are. There is plenty of space. Master Gardeners will help you find the stairs and elevators to get there.

We’ll again have great presentations and speakers to offer you helpful information. Here is a description of the seminars:

Feb. 10

n 10:30 a.m.: “Raised Bed Gardening,” by Travis Carmichael, a horticulture agent in Lyon County.

You’ll learn about construction, convenience, planting and the efficiency of growing in raised beds. n 11:30 a.m.: “Growing Tomatoes with Flair and Flavor,” by Jason Graves, a horticulture agent in Saline County. The session will explore recent studies on tomato taste and flavor and provide a refresher on tomato growing tips that can be easily neglected but make a big difference in

growing a successful crop. n 2:30 p.m.: “Food Safety from Garden to Plate,”

by Lisa Martin, Shawnee County Expanded Foods and Nutrition Extension agent. Fruits and vegetables can be contaminated any time from planting to eating. The workshop will outline good practices for growing produce that school and community volunteers and home growers can take to minimize contamination risks and keep their produce safe. n 3:30 p.m.: “Oak Itch Mites: How to Avoid the Scratches,” by Raymond Cloyd, professor of entomology at Kansas State University. Cloyd will describe the history and biology of the oak leaf itch mite, and the strate-

gies/remedies that you can implement in order to avoid getting bitten by the mites. n 4:30 p.m.: “Exciting New Annuals, Herbs and Vegetables for 2017,” by Rita Arnold, of Arnold’s Greenhouse in LeRoy. Arnold will show slides and explain what’s new and exciting for the 2017 season. Stay a little longer and she’ll show you thrilling perennials.

Feb. 11

n 10:30 a.m.: “Landscaping for the Birds,” by Chuck Otte, Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Geary County and co-author of several bird books and publicaKIDD continues on 3

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Kidd: Plenty of offerings at show Continued from 2

tions. Otte will discuss bird-friendly plants and principles to make your yard more attractive to our feathered friends. n 11:30 a.m.: “Moles and Other Critters that Dig Holes,” by Charlie Lee, Kansas State University Extension wildlife specialist. Got moles? Get help. Lee will assist those struggling with wild things terrorizing their yards. n 2:30 p.m.: “Curb Appeal,” by Master Gardener Diane Green. A good landscape increases the value of your home and can help it to sell faster. Green will talk about landscaping and other design ideas to enhance the front of your home. n 3:30 p.m.: “Growing and Using Edible Herbs,”

by Master Gardener Carol Bragdon. The talk will focus on basic herb growing in Kansas, and Bragdon will have suggestions on how to use fresh herbs in cooking.

Feb. 12

n 11:30 a.m.: “Waterwise Pollinator Gardens,”

by Master Gardener Elsie Gibeson. Water-wise pollinator gardens add interest and diversity to the landscape and save on maintenance and water. They attract bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, bats and even hummingbirds. n 12:30 p.m.: “Small Trees for Small Spaces,”

by Jason Griffin, associate professor at Kansas State University and director of the John C. Pair Research Station in Haysville. Griffin will speak on the impor-

tance of Kansas flowering ornamental trees, how they don’t take too much space in the landscape, and how they add color and interest to most landscapes. n 1:30 p.m.: “Community Gardens for the Health of It,” by Brenda Jarboe, Community Gardens Network coordinator for Shawnee County. Learn the ins and outs of starting a community garden from the ground up, or simply how to volunteer or grow your own produce in one near you. n 2:30 p.m.: “Landscape Design Made Simple,” by Jamie Kidd, Extension horticulture agent in Shawnee County. Participants will learn how simple landscape design can be and leave with three concepts that can change their world — or yard.

Check your house yearly for radon gas

By C. Dwight Barnett Tribune News Service

Q: I’ve heard of radon, but I don’t really know what it is.

What is radon gas, and how do I know if it’s in my home?

A: Radon is a known carcinogen. The gas is undetectable by sight, smell or taste. Radon is a by-product of the natural, radioactive decay of uranium in soils and rocks and can sometimes be found in well water.

The gas is naturally found in the air we breathe, but also can enter a home or building through drains, cracks or holes in the foun-

dation or basement.

The radon gas can then become trapped inside the home or building and build up to dangerous levels.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among non-smokers in the United States and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year, per EPA estimates. Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air represented as “pCi/L.” The average concentration of radon in outdoor air is 0.4 pCi/L, but the radon levels inside a home that are 4.0 pCi/L or higher should be mitigated.

Mitigation is usually

done by sub-slab or foundation ventilation using vent piping and powered, in-line fans and sealing cracks, but the method of mitigation should be determined by a certified radon mitigator.

Do-it-yourself radon test kits are available at major home and hardware stores or can be ordered online, although a test by a certified radon professional using an active or continuous radon monitor can give you results in as little as 48 hours and be much more precise.

For more information on the risks of radon, visit epa. gov/radon.

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Ways to keep your pint-size kitchen organized

By Gabrielle Savoie Domaine

As much as we would all want a chef’s kitchen complete with multiple islands, sprawling counter space and endless kitchen supplies, our reality can be quite different.

Those living in larger cities, small apartments or starter homes know all too well the challenges that come with a tiny kitchen: Limited storage, no counter space and overflowing clutter are all part of the deal.

Are we destined to suf-

fer small kitchen woes for as long as we live in tight quarters? We refuse to believe it. Thanks to a few clever hacks, there are ways to dramatically improve the function of a small kitchen. n Use a utensil rod.

We all have a junk drawer or a container filled with cooking utensils. But if your drawer or counter space is limited, take advantage of your vertical space, and hang your tools instead. You’ll free up storage space for other essentials. n Use sleek containers.

Some things are best kept close at hand. Keep your oft-used non-perishables in pretty glass canisters, and display them instead of taking up limited pantry space. This works great for breakfast cereals, granola and sugar. n Use your vertical space.

You may have high ceilings, but are your cupboards reaching all the way to the top? So many kitchens have cupboards that stop too low, leaving precious vertical space unused. If you’re not planning on renovating your

kitchen, see if you can have high cupboards built-in to match your existing ones, or hang high shelves on unused walls. These are perfect for lesser-used items like vases and special occasion pieces. n Corral essentials in trays.

Any amateur cook knows to keep a few essentials close to the stove. To make it look more organized and less messy, corral these in a pretty tray: olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and other regularly used cooking essentials. Not only will it free up pantry space, but

you’ll also enjoy having these at an arm’s length away when cooking. n Showcase your kitchenware.

Make your decor functional. Some kitchenware is too pretty to hide away.

If you have beautiful wooden cheese boards, marble mortar and pestles, pretty candleholders or a collection of wooden spoons, make them a part of your decor instead of hiding them away. n Get creative with glassware storage.

If your cupboard space is limited but your glass-

ware collection is large, try hanging it upside down, bar-style. Glassware racks can be hung on the wall or under cupboards freeing up space for your other dinnerware and showcasing your wine glass collection all at once. n Use a butcher block.

If your counter space is limited, a butcher block is a great way to add storage and surface to your kitchen. Keep knives and prep essentials in the drawers, store larger prep items on shelves underneath, and use the top surface for chopping and cutting.

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Veggies, flowers make their debut in ’17

All-America Selections introduces 16 new plants The Capital-Journal Each year, All-America Selections tests and introduces new flowers and vegetables that have done well in trials in North America. This year, the following eight vegetables and eight flowers were selected as national winners.

Vegetables

n Fennel: Antares F1.

AAS has never before trialed and declared a fennel a winner. What’s fun about the plant is its many uses: as an edible bulb; for its ornamental fronds; as a seed producer; and as a favorite food of pollinators, namely swallowtail caterpillars. The judges described Antares as a uniform, pure white plant with a much improved, almost sweet, licorice/anise flavor. n Okra: Candle Fire F1.

This okra — with pods that are round, not ribbed, and a brighter red color than the reddish burgundy currently available — received high marks for productivity, taste, texture

and tenderness, as well as ornamental value with its red pods on red stems.

Candle Fire is maintenance-free, thrives in the heat and is disease-resistant. n Pea: Patio Pride.

Patio Pride produces sweet, uniform pods that are very tender when harvested early. Only 40 days is needed for this compact pea plant to reach maturity. Patio Pride can be planted in containers and is ideal for succession planting, yielding a consistent harvest over many weeks. For a display that is both ornamental and edible, plant the pea in patio containers with cool-season flowers. n Pepper: Mad Hatter F1.

Mad Hatter, a member of the Capsicum baccatum pepper species from South America, is commonly used in Bolivian and Peruvian cuisine. Judges like the exotic plant for its vigor, earliness, high yields, large size and sweet, citrusy floral flavor. Mild heat DEBUT continues on 7

photographs by All-America Selections

Celosia: Asian Garden

Dianthus: Interspecific Supra Pink F1

Tomato: Chef’s Choice Yellow F1

Fennel: Antares F1

Left: Pepper: Mad Hatter F1 Right: Okra: Candle Fire F1

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Debut: List of flowers detailed Continued from 6

Photographs by all-America Selections

Watermelon: Mini Love F1

Squash: Winter Honeybaby F1

comes into play near the seeds. Mad Hatter is easy to grow and can be used raw in salads, pickled or stuffed with cheese. n Squash: Winter Honeybaby F1.

Honeybaby is a productive variety of winter squash that produces numerous fruits on a compact, semi-bush plant. Its vines grow 2 to 3 feet long. Its short, wide fruits are sweet, nutty and slightly larger and meatier than similar varieties. Honeybaby is delicious steamed, baked or made into soups and stews. n Tomato: Chef’s Choice Yellow F1.

This hearty, beefsteaktype yellow tomato has a sweet, citrus-like flavor with just the right amount of acid and the perfect tomato texture. Judges liked the quantity of the 10-ounce, meaty fruits harvested from the 5-foot vines. The disease-resistant plant, with its dark green leaves, will produce 30 or more fruits throughout the season. n Tomato: Patio Choice Yellow F1.

Patio Choice Yellow was developed for small spaces and container gardens — for easier picking, plant in a hanging basket.

The plant produces large yields — more than 100 — of ½-ounce, bright-yellow, mild-flavored cherry tomatoes on short vines that grow about 18 inches tall.

Use the tomatoes fresh or oven- or sun-dried. n Watermelon: Mini Love F1.

This personal-sized Asian watermelon, with its shorter vines of 3 to 4 feet, can be grown in smaller spaces. Even then, Mini Love can produce up to six fruits per plant. Judges like its crack- and splitresistant rinds, which help reduce crop loss. The thin, strong rind of the deep-

red-fleshed, high-sugarcontent melon also can be carved into attractive shapes for fruit salad presentations.

Flowers

n Celosia: Asian Garden.

This pollinator magnet is the first AAS winner from Japanese breeding company Murakami Seed.

The judges gave this entry high marks in the greenhouse for good branching, almost bushy growth habit and early-to-bloom flower spikes. In the garden, it continued to bloom on sturdy stems, keeping the bright pink color all summer long. n Dianthus: Interspecific Supra Pink F1.

Supra Pink is a compact, bushy plant that is a prolific bloomer. It showcases mottled pink flowers with frilly petal edges that hold up in summer heat and drought. No deadheading needed. Supra Pink grows to just under a foot in height, but it’s a vigorous grower. It was tested as an annual and won the award based on first-year performance. n Geranium: Calliope Medium Dark Red. Calliope Medium Dark Red geranium has a mounded, semi-spreading growth habit, with strong stems supporting the flower heads, which are loaded with deep-red blossoms.

The plants work great in containers, combination plantings, hanging baskets and an in-ground landscape. Calliope thrives in normal conditions as well as high heat and drought conditions. n Penstemon barbatus: Twizzle Purple F1.

This North American native blooms profusely with 1-inch tubular flowers on long slender stalks that grow to 35 inches in height, making it a magnet for pollinators from mid- to late summer. Twizzle Purple

can be used to add height to combination planters or in landscapes for highimpact color. n Verbena: EnduraScape Pink Bicolor.

EnduraScape is the first verbena that can tolerate drought and heat, plus survive temperatures in the low teens. The longblooming, pink-bicolor verbena can be used in the landscape as an edging or border for a sidewalk or in large containers and baskets. Its abundant softpink blossoms darken in intensity toward the center of the bloom. n Vinca: Mega Bloom Orchid Halo F1.

Mega Bloom is bred to withstand heat and humidity without succumbing to disease. Orchid Halo produces huge, bright purple blossoms with a wide white eye. Plants maintain a dense habit, with flowers staying on top of the foliage. Growers will like the early bloom time, compactness in the greenhouse and plant uniformity. n Vinca: Mega Bloom Pink Halo F1.

Pink Halo has the same characteristics as Orchid Halo: ability to withstand heat and humidity without succumbing to disease; huge, soft-pink blossoms with a wide white eye; a dense habit with flowers staying on top of the foliage; early bloom time; compactness in the greenhouse; and plant uniformity. n Zinnia: Profusion Red. Judges raved about the vibrant red color of this zinnia, which doesn’t fade in summer’s intense rays.

Gardeners will find many uses for Profusion Red, which is easy to grow and a favorite of pollinators.

Growers who are producing the zinnia for retail sales will like the uniform plants and its outstanding greenhouse and garden performance.

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Hardwood gets a fresh use in modern homes Brandpoint Hardwood may be one of the oldest building materials known to man, yet architects, designers and homeowners are always finding fresh ways to use it in the modern home.

What’s the appeal? Flexibility and variety, for starters.

“We’re constantly delighted to see how traditional woods like oak and walnut are being employed with renewed flair and imagination,” said Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center, www.hardwoodinfo.com.

“Subtle tweaks can make something familiar look innovative. The current trend is to take a classic hardwood application, like paneling

or flooring, and give it a stylish, up-to-the-minute twist.”

Here’s a look at what’s trending: n Wide-plank flooring.

Perhaps no recent trend has been more influential than the use of wide-plank hardwood flooring. Traditional plank widths, ranging from 2 1/4 to 3 ½ inches, are still popular. But today’s homeowners often ask for widths between 5 and 7 inches, and there is even demand for widths up to 10 or 12 inches.

“Wider floorboards can make a space look larger and more modern,” said Melissa Morgan, of M Interiors in San Antonio, Texas. “With fewer seams, these floors can be treated like a canvas: ebonized oak or walnut for a sleek, dark

brandpoint

Maple cabinets by Wellborn are stained in a rich gray tone, complemented by a charcoal-stained cherry island and contrasting hardwood floor. look; light woods like ash or maple for a chic urban vibe; weathered-gray tones for a slightly rustic effect.

The possibilities are end-

less.” n Wood ceilings.

It used to be that hardwood planks primarily went on floors or walls, but

today they’re appearing on residential ceilings, too.

“Simple poplar beadboard, painted white or with a light natural stain, looks crisp and airy overhead, adding visual interest while remaining quiet and unassuming,” said Rebecca Ascher, of Ascher Davis Architects in New York and Newport, R.I. “For a more assertive effect, I might specify tongue-and-groove walnut or hickory, characterful woods that provide a degree of drama. For that reason, they’re best reserved for large, high-ceilinged rooms that are not easily overwhelmed. In smaller, lower spaces, a ceiling with too much personality can feel oppressive.” n Mix and match.

Architects and design-

ers, who once avoided using different varieties of hardwood in a single residential space, now mix and match them with newfound enthusiasm. Clearly contrasting wood tones — blond maple and black walnut, for example — create a striking effect that can work well in both traditional and contemporary settings.

This is particularly true in kitchens, where a favorite configuration features upper cabinetry in a lightcolor wood such as birch, and lower cabinetry in a dark-color wood like cherry. The result is a space that has strong visual interest and is light and airy, yet solidly grounded. n Gray stains and finHARDWOOD continues on 9

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Hardwood: Gray remains a classic ‘neutral’ that’s never out of fashion Continued from 8

ishes.

Gray is a classic “neutral” that never truly goes out of fashion. It’s currently one of the most popular colors, ranging from pale smoke to deep charcoal, showing up in hardwood flooring, paneling and cabinetry.

“Whether light or dark, gray stains bring out any wood’s natural grain and texture,” said New York interior designer Laura Bohn. “Grays are versatile and timeless — quiet and soothing colors that recede into the background without losing personality or becoming faceless.

That’s why they work in any style decor, yet always

brandpoint

Wide-plank walnut flooring by Carlisle makes a lustrous statement in a traditional entry hall. look modern.” n Distressed hardwoods.

Homeowners drawn to the popular look of

weather-beaten rustic and elegantly timeworn are turning to distressed hardwoods — a new product to which scrapes, nail holes, notches, saw marks and other signs of wear and tear have been carefully applied, often by hand. Manufacturers are able to reproduce convincing facsimiles of anything from the burnished walnut floorboards of an 18thcentury salon to the rugged oak-plank siding of a 19th-century Pennsylvania barn. It’s a distinctive look that offers a wide range of aesthetics.

Visit hardwoodinfo.com for more about residential design trends and other applications and products using American hardwoods.

tip of the week: Getting wrinkles out

Here’s a witty trick for taking the wrinkles out of clothes in a jiffy — and without the use of an iron and ironing board.

Throw three or four ice cubes into your dryer, along with the wrinkled garment. Then let it run for about 10 minutes. The cubes will melt, creating moisture and a steam-like effect that will zap creases and leave clothes wrinkle-free. If you’re out of ice, use a wet washcloth instead.

Source: goodhousekeeping.com

Service Directory

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