Saturday, February 27, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal
Gardening
Green thumbs ready for spring pages 6, 7 n Jamie Kidd on African violets, page 2 n Alternatives to white sinks, page 4 n New uses for garages, page 10
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African violets: Exotic, easy-to-grow flowering plants African violets have a fascinating background in African history. They come from Tanzania, a country whose name is derived by combining “Tanganyika” and “Zanzibar.” Tanzania is surrounded by countries of which we’ve heard — Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique — and borders on the Indian Ocean in eastern Africa. Tourist trade and safaris take people there today, but life was quite different in the late 1800s. Imperial Germany conquered the region, ended slave trade and made it a colony. In 1892, a colonial official, Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire, an amateur botanist, discovered a wonderful “hairy” flowering plant. In his honor, the violet’s botanical name is Saintpaulia. After World
Jamie Kidd Jamie KiDD
jamiehan@ksu.edu jamiehan@ksu.edu
War I, the area came under British rule. The baron sent plants — or seeds, no one is quite clear on this — to his father in Germany, where they flourished in his care. Hermann Wendland, director of the Royal Botanical Gardens of Herrenhausen, named the first flowering specimen S. ionantha, which translates as “with violet-like flower.” Hence, the emergence of their commonly known name, African violets.
More than 20 species of violets exist, many with names portraying what those doing the naming thought of them: Saintpaulia difficilis, S. confusa and S. inconspicua. Others were named for the place where they were found: S. magungensis, S. teitensis and S. tongwensis for Magunga, Teita and Tongwe, respectively. Violets are easy to grow and propagate, which explains why they are a very popular houseplant worldwide.
Colors and types
Today, we have blue, purple, red-violet, orchid, lavender, red pink, white and bi-color flowers that are single, double, semidouble, star-shaped, fringed and ruffled. We have leaf
UPCOMING PROGRAM
“Spring Lawn Care” will be presented by K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners at 7 p.m. March 31 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. The program will focus on proper care for your lawn in spring. types that are plain, ruffled, fringed, scalloped, spooned, pointed and variegated. African violets are classified into four classes by the American Violet Society based on the diameter of the plant: miniature, less than 6 inches; semi-miniature, 6 to 8 inches; standard, 8 to 16 inches; and large, more than 16 inches.
Care
Whatever the size, color or shape, the care of all types of African violets is similar. n Light: Bright light for eight to 12 hours a day is es-
sential for good blooms, but not direct sunlight. Good light is the amount of light, approximately 1,000 footcandles, available within 3 feet of a southeast- or west-facing window. Lower light levels for longer periods of time, up to 16 hours daily, are also adequate. If light is too low, leaves usually become thin, deep green and reach for the light. Too much light and the leaves become pale or greenish-yellow, flowering decreases and plants become compact. Two 40-watt fluorescent tubes suspended 12 to 15
inches above the plants for 16 hours each day will work well. n Temperature and humidity: African violets prefer a night temperature of 65 to 70 degrees but will grow satisfactorily at 60 to 80 degrees. Temperatures above 85 degrees will slow growth and flowering. African violets prefer high humidity. n Watering: Watering is often the most difficult part of caring for violets. They require moist, well-drained soil. If it’s too wet, the roots rot. If they get too dry, they don’t flower well. Also, water on the leaves, especially cold water, causes spotting and decay. Sub-irrigation is the key. This is when water is placed in the saucer and allowed to be soaked up through
KIDD continues on 3
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Kidd: Water in special pot Exteriors: Vinyl or fiber cement? Continued from 2 the bottom of the pot. Once watering is complete, excess water should be dumped from the saucer. Water again when the top inch of soil is dry. Special African violet pots come with an extra deep saucer and no hole in the pot itself. Glazing on the pot stops half way down the pot allowing the bottom half to be porous and able to wick water into the soil from the deep saucer. Overwatering is nearly impossible with this kind of pot. n Fertilizer: Regular fertilization is needed to
encourage plants to bloom throughout the year. Watersoluble fertilizers, such as 20-20-20 or 15-30-15, are commonly sold for use on African violets. Follow the recommendations on the containers. Over-fertilized violets develop tight centers, and the new leaves take on a rusty appearance. n Propagation: Propagation is easy with African violets. Cut off a healthy, firm leaf from the middle of the plant, leaving the petiole (leaf stem) intact. Trim the petiole to about 1 to 1 1/2 inches and insert it into a combination of half
vermiculite and half potting mix. Make the hole with a pencil before insertion. Keep the soil mix moist at all times. Roots will begin to form at the base of the petiole in three to four weeks. Leaves of new plants appear usually three to four weeks after the roots. Plants will begin to flower six to nine months later. Plants with multiple crowns can be propagated by division. Note: African violets don’t like to have their leaves “petted.” Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.
By Angie Hicks Angie’s List
Dear Angie: How much would it cost to replace the vinyl siding on the outside of my house with fiber cement siding? Would I quickly recoup the money by lower maintenance costs or energy savings? — Jenn J., Catskill, N.Y. Dear Jenn: Fiber cement siding continues to be a popular choice for home exteriors as an alternative to wood and vinyl siding. In the simplest terms, fiber cement siding is a home siding product composed of cement, sand and wood fiber. Homeowners and
homebuilders praise the material for its durability and low upkeep cost. As for your situation, I’d consider your reasons for replacement. If you simply want to replace your siding for cosmetic purposes, it may not make financial sense, especially if your vinyl siding is still in good condition. If it’s time to replace your vinyl siding, due to weather or discoloration, then fiber cement is a great option. As I mentioned earlier, the product is known for durability and low maintenance cost, but it’s also fireresistant and holds up well against pests and extreme
weather conditions. Fiber cement siding products generally come with a limited manufacturer warranty that can range anywhere from 30 to 50 years. Energy savings should be noticeable, too, because the product is effective at eliminating air leakage when installed properly. Just don’t get too excited about those cost savings yet. Fiber cement siding is more expensive than vinyl siding, and prices can vary widely based on materials and the job scope. Installation costs also may be higher because fiber cement is heavier than vinyl siding.
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Many shades of gray plumbing fixtures offset white walls Mixing valves latest in bath tech By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service
Q: Dear Ed, we’re remodeling our kitchen with a very light color theme. We were planning to go with a pure white kitchen sink, but I want to break it up a smidgen and go off-white for the color. I want to go to the gray side of the scale, not toward the almond side. What off-white color choices can I look into and compare for my final decision? — Sally, Nevada A: I’ve always said making an exact color match when repairing a white wall usually fails. That’s why so many people end
up painting the entire wall. In your case, though, this is good news because it gives you a lot of color choices. Here are some versions of off-white plumbing fixture colors that I have worked with and all go toward the gray side as they get slightly shaded. But remember, there are many different off-white color names and shades out there to choose from. n Dune: close alternative to pure white. n Sea Salt: off-white textured color with hints of very light speckles. n Cane: close to sea salt with smaller, finer speckles and more of them.
n Sand Bar: very soothing, sun-bleached stone look with first hints of gray. n Ice Gray: very light gray and end of off-white look. Ed’s final tip: Choose quickly to protect your sanity. The light shades are so close you could end up in a very dark place. Q: Dear Ed, my husband and I are finally remodeling our 1970s bathroom. Since this will be our final remodel, we would like the latest in bathroom technology. The main focus will be on removing our tub to install a custom walk-in shower stall. What futuristic features do you recommend for this shower?
— Kate, Rhode Island A: If you want “futuristic features,” look into an electronic shower mixing valve. Electronic mixing or digital mixing valves can give you more shower options and can be easier to operate than manual handturning valves. It can be a lot easier to turn the shower on and off with just the press of a button. A nice option with a digital mixing valve is the ability to add a second control unit to the shower. You can have your main control in the shower stall, and a second control outside the shower. Bottom line: If you’re looking to go high-tech, go “bath” to the future with a digital shower valve.
tRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Off-white plumbing fixtures that lean toward gray shades can give a new look to a kitchen with white walls.
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Green thumbs now turning up Many prepping, planning their gardens By Angela Deines Special to The Capital-Journal
The recent warmer temperatures and the annual Kansas Garden Show have given local green thumbs and gardeners a touch of spring fever. Jamie Kidd, a horticulturist with Shawnee County’s K-State Research and Extension, is often asked questions in early spring about pruning trees and shrubs, because people want to know what they can do to get ready for the upcoming growing season. “I try to help people know that the best time to prune is February and March because plants are dormant,” she said. “If you have a nice day, go out and prune.” While it may be tempting to use a warm, late winter day to rake up old leaves left over from the fall, hold off on that task. “Because they’re an insulation factor for your yard and the roots of your plants,” she said. “Wait until it warms up considerably before you rake those (leaves) out.” Kidd said there’s one “simple rule of thumb” to avoid a common mistake of pruning. “If it flowers in spring, prune it in summer before the fall,” she said. “If it flowers in summer, prune it in spring.”
Defining your space
During the last few weeks of winter, it’s a good idea to start planning what you want to plant and what you want your outdoor areas to look like. “Clear the weeds out and
make a space,” Kidd said. “It would be good to define the edges of the garden with wood or bricks. I’d sure be looking at the catalog, deciding what plants to have in your yard, if this is a time to reconsider designing your yard.” Kidd said it’s also a good time to decide what kinds of activities you want to do in your yard once it’s warmer. “Define the space so you don’t get overwhelmed and that you’re prepared when the season opens,” she said. “If you want to watch birds, you need to plant plants that attract birds. If you don’t want to have the neighbors see you sitting in your yard, then you need to consider planting shrubs or trees that block their view from your patio or where you sit.”
Watering
Watering your gardens and flower beds can be tricky as well, Kidd said, but there is another simple rule to follow. “We haven’t had a lot of rain or snow this winter,” she said. “But about once a month, if we haven’t had about an inch of rain or melted snow to go into the ground, we need to water our plants. If we go a week without rain, it’s a good idea to water our trees and shrubs because they need that. “It’s not as complicated as people think. An inch of water a week for your garden and lawn is enough.” A simple trick is to put out empty tuna cans in the area where you’re watering your lawn or shrubs, she said. Once the can is full, it’s time to shut off the water.
GARDENING QUESTIONS?
For more information about Kansas plants and the Shawnee County Master Gardeners program, visit www.shawnee.kstate.edu/. “Half inch in an hour is enough and not more than half inch at a time,” she said. “Otherwise, it runs off. The ground around here can’t absorb more than a half inch at a time. We also don’t want to use chemicals we don’t need. Chemicals get drawn into our water system.”
Soil prep and composting
Soil preparation is also a key task when getting ready for spring gardening. Kidd said sand isn’t an element to add to your garden or flower beds, especially in this part of Kansas. “It will make it into concrete,” she warned. “Always use organic matter, like compost.” It’s ideal to spread compost in the garden and flower beds in the fall so it will freeze and then thaw into the ground as temperatures begin to rise again. Dick Dickerson, chairman of the Shawnee County Master Gardeners Composting Committee, said making compost is easier than most people think. “You just mix kitchen scraps, leaves, grass clippings,” he said, adding he gets coffee grounds from a Topeka coffee shop and chicken manure from a neighbor. Dickerson said cardboard also can be used because of
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Getting soil tested once every three years is recommended to determine the pH of the soil and what type of fertilizer may be needed.
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Thumbs: Moles a problem Staging a home you the highest percentage of success (in getting rid of moles),” she said. “They can dig as far as 300 feet in a night. They’re very territorial.” Hancock said moles won’t eat poisoned grains or poisoned worms because they hunt by vibration, meaning they eat only things that are alive. Although you may have only a couple of moles in your yard, it might appear as if there are more of them because of the territory they can cover. “We haven’t had a hard winter, so they’re coming up now. Because it’s warmed up, there’s warmer soil up closer to the surface,” she said. “They don’t eat roots, though. They eat spiders and worms and grubs. Killing the grubs doesn’t get rid of them, because they eat other things. If we kill grubs, we also kill earthworms, and earthworms are important for the structure of our soil.”
Continued from 6 the wood pulp that breaks down in the fermenting process. Compost also needs to be mixed periodically so it can get the oxygen it needs. “But you don’t want to mix it up too often,” he said. “You want it to heat up.” If you haven’t already started composting, Dickerson said, now is a good time to start — before spring begins. “It gets a chance to age a little bit,” he said. “But you can also spread leaves over your garden and the leaves will compost naturally. Leaves are tremendous and they’re good mulch.”
Starting seeds, planning
Brenda Jarboe, another Master Gardener, said an early spring activity you can do to get ready for the warmer months is to get your seeds started. “You can start them in a sunny window or some people set up heat mats and grow bulbs and have tables in their basement where they can get all their tomatoes or annual plants started,” she said. “That’s just a big thing right now.” Most people who rotate their garden plants are doing some pre-planning now, Jarboe said. “They’re just figuring out where things are going to go,” she said. Marc Galbraith, of the Master Gardener program, said another early spring activity is to check raised plant beds and cages. “Just to make sure they’re in good shape and if they have to be fixed,” he said. Helen Simmons, who lives in the Oakland neighborhood and was visiting the recent Kansas Garden Show, said she’s keeping her indoor plants watered while the weather is still chilly, but she’s also looking forward to
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A half inch of water in an hour is enough to keep your lawn and garden looking good. the warmer temperatures so she can begin working in her garden lots, where she has green beans, onions and peas. “I stick with the beans because I have really good luck with them,” she said. “Only one dry year I didn’t have beans.”
Tomatoes and peppers
While it might be tempting during a warm day in late winter, Kidd advised not to start your tomato and pepper plants too early. “The problem is that they won’t grow,” she said. “The cold will cause it to stunt and actually delay their growing.” Planting tomatoes and peppers generally around
Mother’s Day is a safe bet, Kidd said, because the hard frosts are usually over by then and the soil has to be 65 degrees during the night and day consistently for the plants to grow well.
Moles
Moles are a big problem right now in yards and gardens, Kidd said. “This is the time they do that and into spring,” she said, adding K-State Research and Extension has a publication online and in print titled “Controlling Nuisance Moles” that has helpful information about controlling the pesky rodents. “Trapping them and following the directions of this publication will give
Soil testing
can help it sell By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service
With the spring selling season just around the corner, many home sellers are waiting for the prime opportunity to place their home on the market. Indeed, spring is typically a robust period for both buyers and sellers. For those sellers looking to sell their homes for the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time, there simply is no better tool than home staging. What is home staging? Home staging is the process of preparing a home for sale so it appeals to the greatest number of potential buyers. Home staging is essentially styling a residence to highlight its best features and downplay any potential flaws.
Getting your soil tested once every three years is recommended, Kidd said. “That (test) tells them what fertilizer they may need and the pH of the soil,” she said, adding you don’t want to introduce additional lime to your soil because it will change the soil’s pH and won’t allow plants to get the nutrients they need to grow. Kidd said K-State Research and Extension provides printed and online information about what kind of plants grow best for the type of soil and climate in Kansas. “We can help with their landscape thoughts; we don’t do design,” she said. “We have lots of lists of plants that have been tested to grow well here.”
Why should a seller stage their home? The reality is most potential buyers lack vision and only know what sellers show them. A home that is cluttered or in need of repair may instantly turn off potential buyers and trigger thoughts that a home may be worry, money and work, as opposed to being in movein ready condition. Many potential buyers may see the smallest tasks as overwhelming or a project. Home staging allows buyers to see the space and not the distractions that could take their focus away from the beauty of the home.
Angela Deines is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at angela.deines@gmail.com.
How does staging work? If a seller chooses to engage the services of a professional real estate
stager, there will likely be a number to choose from. A professional stager will likely own both furniture and accessories that can be rented to a home seller on a monthly basis, or the stager can work with a seller’s existing furnishings. Most home staging companies begin working with a home seller with an in-home consultation. Typically, there is a charge for these types of consultations, especially if the stager provides tips and ideas as part of the initial meeting. In this phase, the home stager typically outlines any work that needs to be done. The second part of the process is the execution of the recommendations as outlined during the consultation phase. The final stage is the actual staging itself, in which furniture, artwork and accessories are brought in for styling purposes. How much does home staging cost? Professional home stagers typically charge a rate that includes their time (creating a staging strategy, selection of furniture and accessories), as well as a rental fee for the use of their inventory. Professional home stagers may also have a pricing structure based on the square footage of the home to be staged or its sales price. What are the results? It has been proven across the country that home staging not only brings measureable value for a home seller, but that regardless of the size or location of the home, staging is a proven and effective marketing tool.
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Service Directory
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Garage upgrades make room for storage By Melissa Kossler Dutton The Associated Press
Home Depot/THE Associated Press
Bathroom vanities can be used in the garage as a stylish alternative to traditional garage organization. Plus, the sink helps keep garage grime at bay.
Many homeowners would never let sports gear, tools and yard equipment clutter up the front hall where it’s the first things guests see. But they’re willing to wend their own way into the house through a garage stuffed with those things, plus patio furniture, bikes, holiday decorations and more, says Todd Carter, of Tailored Living featuring Premier Garage in Reston, Va. The company focuses on renovating and improving garages, and that’s a hot area in home renovation, experts say. From cabinetry and shelving to flooring and overhead storage, there are many new ways to turn a garage into an organized and attractive space for storage, entertaining or working out. The trend has been made possible by today’s larger garages. “The sky’s the limit,” said Greg Parsons, owner of Motor City Garages in Clarkston, Mich. “It’s all based on the homeowner’s stuff.” He routinely outfits garages with highend, scratch-resistant cabinetry, sinks and epoxy flooring — an easy-to-clean coating that comes in numerous colors and finishes. He recently added a line of cabinetry that lets buyers customize the color to match their car. Some homeowners end up adding televisions and seating, Parsons said. Jeff and Linda Marsack, of Macomb, Mich., hired Parsons to organize their twocar garage. They added cabinets to store shoes, sporting equipment and tools. She chose red cabinets to match their kitchen. “Every time you open your garage, you really do smile because it’s so organized,” she said. “Who doesn’t love an organized space?”
Susan Rhodes, of Tempe, Ariz., purged a lot of items from her garage, added nice flooring and cabinetry, and created a work bench near a window where she can do crafts or pot flowers. The space is so tidy that when temperatures dropped over Christmas, she moved tables from the patio into the garage for dining. “It was just perfect,” she said. “It’s good to know, it’s not just for cars and gardening.” Professional organizer Melanie Dennis gets many calls from homeowners who want to redo their garage because it’s too cluttered to fit a car. “It’s a combination of people not wanting to get rid of their stuff and having access to buy things 24/7 and have it delivered to their house,” said Dennis, owner of Neat Streak in Columbus, Ohio. Garage renovations are also a popular do-it-yourself project, said Jason Arigoni, field divisional merchandizing manager for Home Depot’s Southern Division. “I’m definitely seeing more interest in the garage,” he said. “It often starts with function and then jumps into fun.”
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