At Home Living- 05/23/15

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Saturday, May 23, 2015 An Advertising Feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Jamie Hancock Garden Column – 2 Simple Accents - Awaken your senses and brighten your home – 3 Host an effortless summer soiree – 4 Reupholstery - DIY or hir it out? – 6 Bigger and better water heaters – 7 TCJ Pin of the Week – 10

2 | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Organic Gardening – What is it really?

Jamie Hancock

jamiehan@ksu.edu “Organic” is one of those buzz words we encounter but, do we really know what it’s all about? A little research can reveal a wealth of understanding and teach us a thing or two. Many of the practices in organic gardening are things we should be doing in our gardens anyway. They are practical, inexpensive and effective methods of growing healthy foods.

Organic guidelines have been written in an attempt to be as sustainable as possible limiting the use of nonrenewable resources (e.g., fossil fuels, certain chemicals) while assuring the consumer that the amount of pesticide residue on the food product is minimized. Following these guidelines allows the producer to be certified by a third party inspector and their products can be marketed as “organic”.

Producing vegetables organically is a long-term process that is carried out in stages rather than adopting a single production practice within one growing season. There is a transition to be made from conventional gardening to organic gardening.

Start with the soil. It is teaming with biological cycles and organisms necessary to sustain plant life. It provides nutrients, water, and oxygen. Essential to fertile soil is organic matter (decayed plant material). It improves soil tilth (structure) and helps prevent compaction. Soil that seals over and creates a crust after a heavy rain is low in organic matter and prevents water and oxygen from getting to the roots of plants. Carbon dioxide from decaying organic matter brings minerals in the soil into solution making them available to the plant. Soil should have 3 to 5 percent organic matter.

Cover crops are planted usually dur-

ing harvest or after to build soil quality through the winter. They provide nitrogen, protect from erosion, add organic matter, provide habitats for beneficial insects and spiders (spiders are good…they eat the bad guys), suppress weeds and loosen the subsoil. Popular winter cover crops are: annual ryegrass, winter rye, winter pea, wheat, oats, triticale, clovers, and hairy vetch. In spring, till the cover crop into the soil be-

A Note From

The Gardener

fore it flowers or develops seed heads.

Organic fertilizers come in the form of alfalfa pellets, raw bone meal, fish emulsion, blood meal, soybean meal, cottonseed meal. Studies show that the most important and cost effective fertilizer is compost even though the nitrogen level is only about 1%. The amount of fertilizer to use depends on soil type, previous cropping history, and nutrient requirements of the current crop. A soil test should be done every two years to determine soil nutrition needs. Call the Extension office for soil test information.

Organic disease management

is based on prevention. Doing everything you can to prevent disease is much healthier and less expensive that dealing with it later. When possible, plant disease resistant varieties and buy disease free plants (don’t buy sickly bargains). Choose well drained sites. Root rots and other soil borne disease thrive in wet soils. Low spots can have higher humidity that will encourage fungal growth. Find an area with good air circulation and at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Raised beds promote good aeration and drainage especially in high clay content soils.

Crop rotation

is a long established practice. Continuous planting of the same botanical family (example, the Cucurbit family is watermelon, cucumber, squash, cantaloupe, and pumpkins) allows disease organisms to build up. Rotating this group with the Solanaceous family such as peppers, tomatoes, eggplants or potatoes can potentially lower the incidence of diseases.

Plant spacing can make a difference.

Dense plantings can often increase susceptibility to disease. Increase spacing between plants for air circulation and light intensity. Always cage or stake tomatoes to keep the vines and fruit from touching the soil.

Mulching

with straw, hay, compost, newspaper or wood shavings reduces the contact between soil and the plant. Many soil-borne diseases infect plants from

rain-splashed soil on the lower leaves.

Mulch should be 4-6 inches thick.

Throw out infected plants, roots and all. Do NOT compost diseased plants.

Sanitation will prevent carryover of plant diseases from year to year. Clean all tools and growing supplies including tomato stakes and cages. Remove weeds around the perimeter of the garden. Make sure that any seed you save is disease free.

Organic pesticides include copper (Bordeaux mixtures), compost tea, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Biological fungicides (beneficial bacteria or fungi) are available.

Most organic fungicides are applied to prevent a disease.

Insect management is based on prevention. Inspect plants before purchase. Create a favorable environment for beneficial insects (they eat the bad guys).

Use row covers of lightweight, spunbonded fabrics. Trap crops attract insects away from the important crops. Plant resistant varieties. Insects attack weak plants. Keep them as healthy as possible. Remove plants after harvest.

Organic insecticides include Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), pyrethrums, rotenone, insecticidal soaps, diatomaceous earth, neem, and horticultural oils.

Weed management is not complete elimination just control. Mulching, crop rotation, plant spacing, cultivation, drip irrigation, and organic herbicides like vinegar, citric acid and corn gluten are all helpful methods.

Remember, many of these practices should be used in our home gardens now even if we don’t consider ourselves as “organic”.

Jamie Hancock is a horticulturist with Kansas State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.

Note: The Master Gardeners will be presenting information for new gardeners called, “The First Gardener.” It will be held at the Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library on May 28th at 7:00 p.m.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | 3

Simple Accents

Awaken your senses and brighten your home Family Features

Small details and accent pieces can make a big difference when it comes to dressing up your home. However, adding a touch of personal style doesn’t have to break the bank; you can actually make a big difference by adding simple, practical and inexpensive accents in every room.

In the living room

An easy way to add character to your main living space is to incorporate pieces that tell a story. Treasured mementos

from a special vacation or frames filled with pictures of your loved ones give a personal touch to the room, while giving guests a deeper glimpse at the things that matter most to you. Another strategy for smart accessorizing is using items that do double duty, such as adding a pretty wax candle that brings an inviting scent and look to the room, or a decorative throw blanket that adds both a pop of color and some cozy warmth.

In the guest bath

Small accents can make a big differ-

ence when it comes to dressing up a guest bathroom. When space is a concern, it is important to focus on function while adding attractive touches that express your own personal style. Try Softsoap’s new Fragrant Foaming Collection Liquid Hand Soap line. The beautiful packaging will brighten and beautify your sink, while enticing scents of Jasmine & White Cotton, Whipped Cocoa Butter and Kitchen Citrus Bliss provide an indulgent hand washing experience.

In the bedroom

In the sanctuary of your bedroom, keep your focus on comfort. Plump pillows in a variety of shapes and colors add flair to basic bedding. If you’re hesitant about patterns, try incorporating a bold design through an accent piece such as a lamp shade for a big impact that won’t overpower the room. Add a stack of your favorite books on the nightstand or a pretty box to hold trinkets or jewelry to help bring a unique look to a space that is all

DECOR continues on 8A

4 | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Host an effortless summer soiree Family Features

When the weather turns warm, there is much to celebrate and summer parties are in full swing.

As you plan to entertain this season, Stephen Cardino, VP and Fashion Director for Home at Macy’s, has some helpful tips to host an unforgettable bash that is both stress-free and fun for everyone.

Set the scene

To start, here are some ideas for setting the scene, by infusing the season’s trends and the best that summer has to offer. n Blue is a hot hue this year and there are many ways to apply the color of the sea to your summer tablescape. For a

subtle look, try soft blue dinnerware layered with neutral table linens and flatware. To achieve a bolder statement, choose plates and serveware in indigo or with patterns of dots and stripes.

Glassware in a variety of blues and greens can also enhance your table. n Surface texture is just as important as pattern. Choose a table runner and napkins made of linen, a popular material right now, to serve as the foundation of your space. Add charm and interest with textured glassware, such as ones with etching, facets or bubbling. n Whether dining al fresco or indoors to beat the heat, fresh flowers are a must for the summer season. For a colorful option, set single flowers in a suite of glass bottles – a little goes

a long way. Full flowers, like peonies and dahlias, are great for this, or try a variety of white flowers placed in low, white ceramic urns for a monochromatic pairing. n For easy refreshments, use glass beverage servers, since it allows guests to help themselves. Fill one with water and citrus slices, another with lemonade or iced tea, and the last with sangria or punch. Be sure to set out a large bucket of ice and glasses with your beverage servers.

Serve sensational sips

If you’re looking for cocktail ideas to kick off summer celebrations, Macy’s Culinary Council Chef Johnny Iuzzini has tips for easy refreshments that are perfect for summer and sure to satisfy.

n To enhance your cocktails, use fresh summer produce – really ripe fruits and vegetables. Buy peaches, strawberries, rhubarb and other fruits to make an amazing punch, which is always a crowd pleaser. n The night before your party, use the largest container you have and fill it with water to make a giant ice cube. On the day of, make a concoction of herbs, fruits and vegetables with gin, or something light and botanical. Place the ice cube in a bowl and pour the punch mixture around it. The large ice cube will not melt down and dilute the punch, but will keep it cold and refreshing. It also serves as an eye-catching centerpiece that everyone at the party will

SUMMER continues on 5A

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | 5

Summer: Throw fruit on grill for dessert Continued from 4A talk about. n With leftover fruit, such as peaches or pineapple, throw on the grill for a light summer dessert – perfect after a heavy meal.

For more summer recipe ideas, videos and tips, visit macys.com/culinarycouncil.

Stock photo/Family Features

6 | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Reupholstery – DIY or hire it out?

By Shanna Sloyer Special to The Capital-Journal

If your favorite old armchair or couch has seen better days, but you can’t stand the thought of sending it to the landfill, don’t despair. There are several options for extending the life of your well-loved furniture other than putting it out to pasture.

One solution is to do-it-yourself. With some basic sewing abilities, a few household tools, and the time, this could save money in the long run. First, remove the old upholstery carefully to avoid tears or rips. Pay close attention to the order in which you remove the pieces and mark them if necessary. Try to avoid dislodging any stuffing in the furniture, but feel free to smooth out lumpy or uneven sections.

Select a new fabric that will withstand use and wear well, without being so inflexible that it’s impossible to work with.

Use the old material as a template to cut out the new fabric. Begin reattaching the new fabric to the frame in reverse order of the way that it was removed. Using a staple gun, attach one side to the frame, and then carefully pull the fabric taut and smooth out any remaining wrinkles be-

fore attaching the other sides. Be sure to leave some give to prevent the fabric from tearing during use.

Russ Auten, President of Russ’s Custom Upholstering in Topeka recommends the do-it-yourself option only for smaller projects, such as recovering dining chairs. For larger projects like couches or armchairs, a heavy-duty sewing machine and specialized tools are usually required to get good results and will require the experience of a professional upholsterer.

Professional upholstery costs can vary greatly, and most often depend on the price of the material that is selected for the project. Most professional upholstery businesses offer many options for customers in the way of different designs, textures, and weights of fabric.

Ken Hockenberry, professional upholsterer with American Vinyl of Topeka has more than 30 years of experience in the business, and most often sees customers who have a piece of furniture that they really like, but the fabric either has irreparable wear or they are looking to change colors or designs.

“It’s worth putting some money into older furniture to fix it up,” said Hockenberry.

Auten has also noticed a younger clientele base inheriting family heirlooms or buying antique furniture and bringing it in to have the upholstery updated. For clients trying to incorporate furniture into an existing color scheme, he offers a wide variety of fabric choices for matching.

In addition to residential projects, some upholstery businesses also specialize in commercial jobs, as well as automobile upholstery projects, including cars, motorcycles, boats, airplanes, and farm equipment.

Before hiring an upholsterer for a job, Auten recommends having them take a look at the project you plan to refinish. If

A reupholstered motorcycle seat.

there are structural repairs or wood refinishing that needs to take place, the upholsterer can include that in your bid. He also suggests that customers get a couple of different bids before hiring the job out.

Brian Johnson, owner of Johnson Upholstery and Furniture in Topeka believes that if a customer has a piece of furniture that is sentimental, or if they just like the size and shape or way that it sits, that it’s worth the effort to preserve it for future use.

“Keep your good, comfortable, favorite furniture from going into the landfill,” said Johnson. “We can get you another 2050 years more use out of it.”

KEN HOCKENBERRY/AMERICAN VINYL OF TOPEKA

Bigger and better water heaters

By Dustin Lemmon Special to The Capital-Journal

The next time you need to buy a new water heater it might end up being a little bigger and more expensive than you were expecting, but it should be more energy efficient.

On April 16, new federal regulations went into effect requiring water heater manufacturers to make models that are intended to be more energy efficient. The change came through updates to the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA).

Terry McCart, president of Blue Dot Services of Topeka, said the changes mean manufacturers will have to put more insulation inside their water heaters. This could mean the cost of an average water heater will go up $100 to $125, while only saving the average home owner about $10$25 per year on their utility bill.

“It’s a tiny (savings) for each person,” McCart said. “As a whole, as a country, it’s a big savings.”

McCart said newer water heaters should

maintain their temperature for a longer period, which may be welcome news to those home owners who have to cut their showers short for fear of getting sprayed with cold water.

According to the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), gas units that are over 55 gallons will have to use condensing technology, which means larger and heavier water heaters than non-condensing models. Electric units will require heat pump technology and heat pumps typically require a larger amount of space.

For both types, as well as oil-fired models, these changes mean water heaters will likely be at least two inches larger in diameter and one to two inches taller, according to the PHCC. McCart said newer models will be bulkier, but the tanks themselves will not change.

“What it ultimately means to the buyer is that your water heater is going to get bigger and more expensive,” Josh Wiggins, branch manager at Ferguson of Topeka, said.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | 7

These changes mean water heater manufacturers have had to go back to the drawing board, Wiggins explained. He expects the newer models will start to hit stores in one to two months.

“Some models will be changing, others won’t depending on what you’re looking at,” he said.

Wiggins noted that most of the water heaters available today were built before the new regulations went effect and weren’t required to meet the new federal standard, but they’re disappearing quickly.

McCart expects there will be a water heater shortage for a while because the industry didn’t prepare much for the change.

“They can’t get them out quick enough because of the regulation change,” he noted.

He said it’s also possible that manufacturers will stop making parts for some existing water heaters, so even though you may have a seven year warranty on your current water heater, repair parts might not be available.

Stock photo/metro creative connection

“I think it’s going to last for two years, probably,” he said of the shortage and the lack of parts. “It’s pretty hard to find a new water heater now.”

8 | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Barbel Buchner/Getty Images

Decor: Add a bouquet of flowers Continued from 3A your own.

In the kitchen

Dressing up the heart of the home can be as simple as placing a bouquet of flowers or a decorative hand soap by your kitchen sink. One option is Softsoap’s Fragrant Foaming Collection liquid hand soap in Kitchen Citrus Bliss. Its colorful, inviting

packaging and crisp, sun-drenched aroma invigorates every hand wash, while lush foam gently cleans and soothes skin. On the counters, keep clutter to a minimum and add a touch of color with a simple clear or wooden bowl filled with your favorite seasonal fruit.

To find more inspiration and ideas, visit www.softsoap.com.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | 9

10 | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

The Topeka Capital-Journal Pin of the Week Taco in a Bag - easy camping meal or picnic on the go!

Service Directory

Photo source: mylitter.com

What to do: • Crunch the chips a little • Open bag • Top with seasoned meat • Add your favorite toppings • Enjoy!

Follow all of The Capital-Journal Pinterest boards – www.pinterest.com/tcjmedia/ To get more information on this project and others, visit The Topeka Capital-Journal’s At Home Living – Yummy in my Tummy Pinterest board.

Service Directory

What you need: • Ground beef browned • Taco seasoning to add to meat • Individual bags of Doritos or Fritos • Cut-up Toppings

•Onions

•Cheese

•Sour Cream

•Salsa

•Lettuce

•Tomatoes

Boost your brand, product or service with an ad in the service directory! At Home Living is read by home owners, buyers and sellers across the Topeka and surrounding area. To place your ad contact your MultiMedia Sales Consultant or 785.295.1125.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | 11

12 | Saturday, May 23, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home