Saturday, April 23, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal
ERC Designers’ Showhouse
Challenge: Design teenager’s bedroom,
page 6
n Jamie Kidd talks asparagus, page 2 n Tips on buying a generator, page 5 n The art of mower maintenance, page 7
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Asparagus rules as hardy plant in spring gardens Asparagus has been depicted as an offering in an Egyptian frieze dating to 3000 B.C. The Romans and Greeks cultivated it more than 2,000 years ago and ate it for its rich flavor and medicinal qualities. The plant drew little attention in medieval times (479-1492 A.D.) until Muhammad alNafzawi’s “The Perfumed Garden” celebrated its “aphrodisiacal power.” By 1469, asparagus was cultivated in French monasteries. (I wonder how that happened.) King Louis XVI of France, in the 1600s, dressed in silken splendor when he dined and was so in love with asparagus that he had it grown in hothouses so he could enjoy its divine flavor year round. Asparagus, the royalty
Jamie Kidd Jamie KiDD
jamiehan@ksu.edu jamiehan@ksu.edu
of foods! I always feel a little more elegant when I am served those tender spears with hollandaise sauce. The only thing better is eating asparagus grown in your garden. Soil — Asparagus is a long-lived — 15 years or more — perennial from the lily family. It grows best in sandy soil but will grow in any soil with good drainage and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Crowns — Asparagus can be grown from seed,
but it’s too time consuming. The plant won’t produce spears until it is 3 years old. Buy 1-yearold “crowns” grown from seed from a reputable supplier to speed up the process. The supplier will have them stored in a cooler. Each crown can produce a half pound of spears annually once it’s fully established. Purchase the all-male hybrid varieties, such as Jersey Giant, Jersey Prince and Jersey Knight. They will out-yield the old Mary Washington varieties by 3 to 1. The female varieties spend too much energy producing seeds to have decent yields. Planting — Plant asparagus crowns in soil that is at least 50 degrees, usually in March and April.
Place the plants on either the west or north side of the garden so they won’t shade the other vegetables or be injured when the rest of the garden is tilled. Fertilization — Dig furrows 5 to 6 inches deep. Crowns planted too deeply will have a reduced yield. Put a dusting of triple superphosphate, 0-46-0, in the bottom of the furrow. Omitting the fertilizer will reduce yield and spear vigor. Toss the crowns into the furrow on top of the fertilizer. The crowns will grow regardless of how they land (no need to spread the roots), and the fertilizer won’t burn them. Space crowns 1 1/2 feet apart in rows; rows should be 5 feet apart. The vigorous fern growth will fill in the empty spaces.
The extra space allows good air circulation and helps prevent fungal diseases. Backfill the furrows to ground level while being careful not to compact the soil. Compaction will severely reduce emergence of the asparagus. Spears should emerge within one week in moist soils. Harvesting — Don’t harvest asparagus during the first or second years of planting. The plant needs to retain as much energy as possible for good establishment. In the third year, harvest spears for only four weeks. Each year after, you can harvest for six to eight weeks. The spears come from expanding buds on the crown. They elongate, and when they reach 8
to 9 inches, the tips will open, which is called “ferning out.” The spear will become woody, and branchlets will appear that grow into a fern. The fern will produce food and push it down into the crown for next year’s harvest. Ferns will die with the frost, but leave them in the garden to capture snow for additional moisture during the winter. Ferns can be cut back or mowed as close as possible during the first week of April. Dead stalks are very sharp, so use care when harvesting new spears. In the third year, harvest asparagus by snapping 7- to 9-inch spears with tight tips. There is
KIDD continues on
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Kidd: Water well during insufficient rainfall Continued from no need to cut asparagus below the soil with a knife where injury can occur to new buds. New buds don’t arise from where the spears are cut. Harvest spears every two to four days early in the season and once or twice per day with 5- to 7-inch spears later in the season. The diameter of the
spear has no bearing on its toughness. Pick the patch clean, never allowing the spears to “fern out” until the very end of the season. This will help control asparagus beetles. Watering — Asparagus is very drought-tolerant and seeks water deep in the soil. Water well when planting and when rainfall is insufficient. Don’t allow the plants to become stressed. It will
reduce their growth and production. Insects, disease — Inspect the ferns throughout the season for insects and fern dieback. Asparagus beetles chew on fern stems causing them to turn brown. Spray ferns with an approved insecticide when the beetles are seen. Fungicides may be necessary as well. Be sure it is approved for use on
asparagus and read the label for timing of use. Storage — Harvest in the morning when the air is cool. Immerse the spears in ice-cold water to remove the heat; drain and place in plastic bags. Refrigerate at 38 to 40 degrees for one to two weeks. Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR n “Grandma’s Tomatoes” will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday by the Master Gardeners at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. Topics discussed will be knowing where to plant, what varieties to pick and how to give the best care with the least effort. n The Master Gardener Plant Sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon May 7 in the parking lot at the Shawnee County Extension office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. Annuals, perennials, herbs, Mother’s Day baskets, vegetables and plants for
monarchs and other butterflies will be available. n A free, hands-on vegetable gardening training class will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 11 at the Southern Hills Mennonite Church, 511 S.E. 37th St. To register, call the Shawnee County Extension office at (785) 232-0062. n The Master Gardener Response Line is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer gardening questions. Call (785) 232-0062, extension 105.
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Generators can keep the lights on during power outages By James Dulley www.dulley.com
Dear Jim: It’s inconvenient when the electric goes off during storms. I want to get a generator. Is it expensive to operate a whole-house generator during outages? — Cindy H. Dear Cindy: Many homeowners install large whole-house emergency backup generators because most activities require electricity today. The problem isn’t from just storms. During the summertime with high air-conditioning loads, there sometimes are brownouts on hot afternoons. Whenever there is an electricity outage or a brownout, a standby backup generator automatically starts producing electricity as soon as its engine gets
started. The delay period is very short. It may run for several minutes to several days until electricity is restored. Even using inexpensive natural gas, the cost to operate a generator is more than your current electric rate. Because it runs for a relatively short time, the operating cost isn’t significant. Running one continuously would wear it out because it’s not designed for that and there are maintenance costs. When selecting a wholehouse backup generator, determine what “wholehouse” means to you. This impacts how large (output capacity) a unit you need. Having enough power for cooking, refrigeration, lighting, television and operating a furnace blower are typical essential needs.
Electricity output from a generator is rated in kilowatts. For a typical family of four, a 12-kilowatt backup generator is adequate for most activities. By doing without some appliances and not trying to use many simultaneously, you may get by with a smaller, less expensive unit. To size your generator, make a list of the electric items you want to keep running. Check the wattage on each one and total them. Electric motors use more wattage briefly at startup, so add in a little extra. Since installing one is not a do-it-yourself project, contact an installer for sizing advice. Definitely install an automatic transfer switch with your generator. This is more convenient for you and safe for the utility
company repair workers. When the ATS senses a power outage or brownout (low voltage), it disconnects your house from the electric grid and starts the generator. Another advantage of having an ATS is it starts and runs the generator periodically just to make
sure everything is functioning properly for when it is needed. This is called exercising the system. Natural gas is the least expensive and cleanest fuel to power a backup generator. The small engine requires little regular maintenance. Propane is another clean-burning
fuel. Propane is considerably more expensive and a propane storage tank is needed. A diesel-powered generator requires more maintenance and a tank. A big advantage is if the electricity outage is very long, you can dump more diesel fuel into the tank to keep it running.
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Two designers, two teens, two stylish rooms By Angela Deines
SHOWHOUSE
Special to The Capital-Journal
Bringing in some “new faces and new energy” for the 2016 Designers’ Showhouse was the intent of the organizers for the DesignA-Room contest that was part of the annual fundraiser for ERC Resource & Referral/Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas. “It’s been fun to see people with a passion for design work alongside the professionals,” said Reva Wywadis, executive director of ERC Resource & Referral. “It’s been a good way for them to learn from each other and have a good time doing it. It’s been exciting.” The goal of the DesignA-Room contest was to find amateur decorating talent in and around the capital city. Contestants had to pitch their design ideas and how they could be integrated into this year’s showhouse, “Stunning Sunsets at Lake Sherwood,” 6400 S.W. Suffolk Road.
What: “Stunning Sunsets at Lake Sherwood,” the 2016 Designers’ Showhouse, which will raise money for ERC Resource & Referral/Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas, a nonprofit that provides high-quality child care options for families When: April 23 through May 15 Where: 6400 S.W. Suffolk Road Cost: $10 in advance; $12 at the door For more information or to make reservations: http://east. ks.childcareaware.org or (785) 357-5171, option 1
Photographs by Keith Horinek/Special to THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Kaitlyn Snow, left, and Meg Heston, winners of the 2016 Designers’ Showhouse Design-A-Room contest, each designed a bedroom for a teenage girl. Heston designed her teen’s room in a Bohemian chic style, while Snow gave her teenager’s room a tranquil beachy feel.
Bohemian chic
Meg Heston, a Topeka real estate agent, and Kaitlyn Snow, a recent graduate of Washburn University’s art program, were ultimately chosen to design two separate teenage girls’ bedrooms. Heston said her teen wanted “Boho chic” as the design theme for her room. “Which is lots of colors, patterns, different textures brought together,” she said, describing the Bohemian style. “The catch was that she didn’t want it to be messy.” Heston met with the teenage girl and her mother several times before starting the design phase for the bedroom. “We went through a step-by-step process so I could understand exactly what she was wanting to
Rosie’s, Prairie Glass Art Studio and Gardner’s Floor Covering have been “extremely helpful” in donating the accent elements to the room. Her mother, Kathy Maginot, also made a multi-colored throw that fits the room’s Boho chicstyle. Heston’s love for selling real estate and home remodeling has fostered her passion for interior design and home staging in the past several years. “I love looking at new houses, and I love looking at different houses and what they’ve done,” she said. “It’s been just a matter of ‘Hey, I think I can do that,’ and putting the pieces together.”
Beachy feel Left: The bedroom designed by graphic designer Kaitlyn Snow showcases a chevron-patterned accent wall using coral, turquoise and other bright colors. Right: The Boho chic-style bedroom designed by Meg Heston, a real estate agent, features a refurbished wood dresser and headboard made by Heston’s husband, Andy. achieve,” she said. “That’s what we want the public to know is that there is a lot that goes into this and there’s a story behind everything that we’ve done.” The room will include a matching refurbished wood dresser and head-
board made by Heston’s husband, Andy, who has fostered a love of woodworking since high school. “Our furniture style and design we had pitched matched the room owner’s preferences and style,” she said, adding she and her
husband are starting a new interior staging and furniture design business called 2reds. Floor-to-ceiling canvas tile art made by several Washburn Rural High School students also will be featured.
“The beauty about this project is that, as she grows, she can take the tiles with her to her college dorm, her first apartment — and she already has artwork and she already has those memories,” Heston said. Heston said Jess &
As the other DesignA-Room winner, Kaitlyn Snow, a graphic designer who graduated in December from Washburn University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, has been working on the other teenage girl’s bedroom on weekends. Her teen didn’t know exactly what kind of theme she wanted, except she wanted a chevron-patterned accent wall using
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The art of lawnmower maintenance By Whitney Carnahan Special to The Capital-Journal
It’s that time again. Grass is growing, and pretty soon you’ll have to pull out the lawnmower. With spring rains, mowing grass soon will become a twice-weekly routine, if not more. But how can you know whether your mower is spring-ready, and what can you do to keep it in good running condition for the season ahead? First things first, you need to check the oil and the filter. Darrell Viergever, manager at Boettcher Supply Inc., 1540 N.W. Gage Blvd., says lawnmower maintenance at their company includes cleaning and/or replacing the air filter and changing the spark plugs. To check the mower’s oil, you’ll want to start the machine first. Let the mower run for about a minute, then shut it off. You also should disconnect the spark plug, so the machine can’t start while you’re checking the oil. Clean off the area around the oil cap with a rag to prevent dirt from getting into the oil reservoir. Then, open the cap and
Metro Creative Connection
Sharpening the blade and changing the oil of your lawnmower can make cutting the grass easier and lengthen the life of the machine. check the dipstick to see where the level of the oil is. Likely, even if it’s at the correct level, you’ll want to change the oil, especially if you didn’t change the oil before the end of the season the previous year. You’ll also need to check the oil filter. Locate the filter, then turn it counter-
clockwise until it releases. You may need to use a wrench if it won’t come loose easily. Check the filter for dirt and debris around the seal and general wear. Make sure to clean any dirt from the seal with a rag and tap it to release debris. Most manufacturers recom-
mend changing the filter once a year. Viergever says maintenance also includes cleaning the mower’s blades and replacing them if necessary. For riding mowers, you’ll also want to check the belts for any cracks. “If they’re cracked, they’re probably going to
break. If you don’t replace the blade then, the lift will break off and you don’t want that … it will turn into shrapnel,” Viergever said. The backside of the cutting edge of a lawnmower blade has a lift that helps circulate air upward and kicks the grass clippings out from under the mower, he said. Over time, this lift will start to show wear, and that’s when you’ll want to replace the blade. Also, check the shape and size of the blade over time. Kenny Rieb, mechanic for Sunflower Rental, 2010 S.W. Topeka Blvd., says it’s easy to know when your blade needs sharpening because it will be rounded. However, Rieb said, it might be best to get the blade sharpened professionally, unless you’re handy with a wrench and a grinder. If you are, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to safely remove the blade, sharpen the blade and replace it. Make sure the blade is tightened properly after sharpening, and don’t forget to wear goggles and protective gloves while handling. For regular mainte-
nance, Rieb recommends cleaning the blade after using. “You should always clean off your mower blade,” he said. “You can do that yourself. Just turn the mower on its side. When you do that, you need to make sure the air filter side is up, and then you can spray the underside with a garden hose. The air filter side needs to be up so that you don’t get oil into the carburetor.” In addition, clean the filter when possible. “The biggest thing is, you need to make sure the air filter stays clean. You can clean that yourself, either by tapping it on a hard surface or by using an air compressor,” Rieb said. Viergever agrees with using an air compressor as another method to clean lawn mowers. However, he says, if homeowners opt to wash off the underside, they need to make sure to “let it run for 10-15 minutes to help dry it off.” Regular maintenance won’t prevent blades from dulling over time, but they will help lengthen the general life of a lawnmower and ensure the spring mowing season goes off without a hitch.
Rooms: Snow, mother self-proclaimed ‘HGTV geeks’ Continued from 6 coral, turquoise and other bright colors. “We wanted to do something youthful, and I thought why not take advantage of the lakeside atmosphere,” she said. “We went with a soft beach theme.” On the wall above the bed, Snow has created a coral canvas painting. Behind that, she hand-paint-
ed a herringbone chevron pattern flanked by two tall bookshelves. “It was really important to her to not have that big zig-zag on the wall,” she said. “We want to have it be very clean and tranquil at the same time but fun for a younger girl. It’s all about coming into this bedroom and having that aha moment.” Snow and her mother, Amy Snow, are self-pro-
claimed “HGTV geeks” who like to watch decorating and home renovation shows together. “This is actually the first opportunity that I’ve had to do something like this. This is my first try,” she said. “At first, I thought this was going to be a lot of pressure, but actually it’s been so much fun.” Snow has a personal reason for wanting to help with this year’s Designers’
Showhouse: Her mother is a licensed home-based child care provider supported by Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas. “I just love kids, and this has been cool how this all kind of connected,” she said, adding her mother and father, Lance Snow, have helped her with the room. Snow said the bed is from Nebraska Furniture Mart, the bookshelves
from IKEA, a small writing desk from Big Lots in Topeka and many of the accessories from Kirkland’s at West Ridge Mall. According to information provided by ERC Resource & Referral, the other designers and craftsmen participating in the 2016 Designers’ Showhouse include Jan Hutt, of Jan Hutt Interiors; Leslie Hunsicker, of Leslie Hunsicker Interiors; Jan Davis,
Monica Parsel and Susan Anderson, of Carpet One Floor & Home; Caroline Bivens, Donna Steinman and Natashia England, of M. Street Interiors; Dan Brungardt, of Home at Last; The Oroke Women; Juan Perez, of JCD Inc.; Michelle Butler; and Topeka Landscape. Angela Deines is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at angela.deines@gmail.com.
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Service Directory
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