Saturday, May 28, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal
Backyard projects Want more privacy? Build a fence, page 3 n Jamie Kidd on cedar-apple rust, page 2 n Regional art decorates Topekans’ home, page 4
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Control cedar-apple rust with fungicides And ornamental crabapples Are your cedar trees and Jamie Kidd Jamie KiDD have become a staple in the junipers looking like they home landscape. So now have been decorated for what? Christmas — except the colThere are two environors are all wrong? Bright ormental issues that increase ange “balls” are showing up the odds of the galls expandall over the place. What is ing and releasing fungal the deal? spores more rapidly, thus alRelax. It is called cedar-apjamiehan@ksu.edu jamiehan@ksu.edu lowing the disease to spread ple rust, and it rarely harms more widely. The first is evergreens. Cedar-apple rust is a fungus that looks relatively cool temperatures, in the 50- to 75peculiar, almost like exotic flowers. It has a degree range. The other is leaf wetness that lasts longer than four to six hours. We can’t very interesting, almost cosmic, life cycle. Let’s do a flashback, like they do on televi- control the weather any more easily than we sion: Two years ago, in a galaxy far, far away, can rid ourselves of all the cedars. The most effective fungicides for control(OK, closer to 2 miles or less), dusty-orange spores developed on the underside of leaves ling rust — including Banner, Systhane, Rufrom apple and/or hawthorn trees. July and bigan and Bayleton, applied at 14- to 21-day August winds shuttled the spores to juni- intervals — are only available to commercial pers and cedars, where galls developed very applicators. Homeowners have three fairly slowly. At first, they looked like reddish- effective choices, however: triadimefon (sold brown bumps. In spring, they appeared as as Green Light Fung Away); propiconazole small twig swellings. They spent the sum- (Fertilome Liquid Systemic Fungicide) or mer basking in the sun and enlarging. By the myclobutanil (the same active ingredient as following spring, they had grown to a width in Systhane, but sold as Immunox). Among the homeowner products, only myclobutanil of a half-inch to 2 inches. “Grown-up” galls look a bit like wrinkled is labeled for fruiting (eating) apples. Don’t use Immunox Plus on apples to be brown balls until they swell in spring and produce multiple gelatin-like tendrils, which eaten this year. It contains an added insectiare a particularly bright orange during rainy cide. K-State Research and Extension-Shawweather. This is the “exotic flower” you are nee County has publications to help with seeing. The cedar-apple rust galls will dry spraying and mixing instructions. You have to apply fungicide to the leaves up and fall off this summer. The cedar-hawof apples, crabapples and hawthorns as long thorn rust galls may last for several years. This same bright orange fungus (exotic as the evergreen trees’ cedar galls remain flower) returns the favor and sends millions jelly-like and active. Cedars and junipers of spores back to the apple and hawthorn don’t need to be sprayed. It is possible to trees. In late spring or early summer, bright plant cedar-apple rust-resistant varieties of yellow-orange spots, about one-eighth inch apple and crabapple. Ask for them at your loto one-quarter inch in diameter, form on the cal nurseries. Didn’t I tell you it was an interesting life upper surface of the apple and hawthorn leaves. Small black fruiting structures form cycle? Enjoy your decorated cedar trees and in the center of the lesion and may ooze or- spray your apples and hawthorns. ange “gelatin” during wet weather. Eventually, an orange, cup-like fungal Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and structure forms on the bottom surface of the Extension in Shawnee County. leaf directly beneath the lesion. This produces the new dusty-orange spores that sail back to the cedar and juniper trees in July and August, completing the two-year life cycle. Now comes the dreadful part. While the evergreens remain virtually unscathed, the rust fungi can result in considerable damage to their deciduous hosts. They can cause premature defoliation — weakening the tree, making it susceptible to other diseases, and reducing next year’s fruit set and yield. They also can cause cracked, distorted, pitted or lost fruit. So now you are thinking: “Get rid of the apples and hawthorns so your cedars will look good, or get rid of the cedars so the apples will look good.” We live in Kansas. Have you seen the number of cedars out there?
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Posts key to longevity of fence By Dustin Lemmon Special to The Capital-Journal
Did you know a wooden privacy fence — if it is installed properly — can last 40 years or more? Tom Kent, co-owner of Kent Fencing Co., 510 S.E. 15th St., said he has seen some fences last that long. There also are younger fences his company has built that are still going strong with minimal care. “We put up 25-year-old fences with zero maintenance,” Kent noted. “You don’t have to seal or stain it.” The most important part of building a good fence, he said, is properly installing the posts. “If you don’t get the (post) down deep enough, it will be leaning the first year,” he said. When installing posts, Kent said you will want to make sure: n The wood is made for ground contact.
n The cement is below the grass line (2 inches of dirt on top). Cementing your posts is important, or they will be “leaning 6 inches in no time,” he advised. For a 4-by-4-inch post, he said, you will want 30 inches of concrete around the base. You also will want to make sure to use galvanized or aluminum nails on your fence. If not, the nails will rust and leave streaks down your fence. If nails pop out, it is likely because the fence wasn’t installed properly. When selecting boards for your fence, don’t choose any with knots or long splits. Here are some other important things Kent said you should consider before building your fence: n Call 811 before you dig so you will know where utilities are. n Make sure you build on your property line. n Think about where you want gates to go.
n Decide which direction you want the good side to face.
Fencing options
So now you know a few things about building a fence, but maybe you are still trying to decide between wood or vinyl, straightface or shadow box, dog-ear or gothic. Here are some quick notes on each option. “Wood is your most popular backyard privacy fence,” Kent said, “and as far as privacy (fences), that’s going to be your best price.” But vinyl is growing in popularity. “Vinyl is a fairly new product,” he said. “They’ve got some beautiful fences.” From a distance, some vinyl fences look like wood. Many vinyl fences come with a warranty. But they are not as easy to install as a
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A properly installed privacy fence can last decades. Most backyard fences are made of wood, but vinyl is becoming more popular for their construction.
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Topeka couple adorns home with works of regional artists By Shanna Sloyer Special to The Capital-Journal
Topekan Kimberly Svaty says, “You don’t have to be good at art to appreciate art and want to have it around you.” She and her husband, Josh, have filled their Westboro home with works created by local and regional artists. They believe art is a vital element in a healthy, vibrant and engaged community. Josh Svaty became interested in art as a child after he was taken to Charlie Rogers’ art gallery in his hometown of Ellsworth. The trip piqued his interest in art and encouraged the idea that it is possible to know an artist personally. “I want (art) to take me someplace and looking at it to do something to me,” he said. “I want to know the prov-
enance of the artist, the story of who he or she might be.” Kimberly grew up in Kansas City — home of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art at 4525 Oak St. in Kansas City, Mo. — and attended numerous art fairs that were commonplace in the community. She also recalls a childhood trip to the Hallmark Kaleidoscope, 2500 Grand Blvd. in Kansas City, Mo., that shaped her feelings toward art. “Art intrigues me because of the skill. So, for me, what I’m looking for in purchasing art is for it to pull me in,” she said. The Svatys purchased their first painting as a married couple on their honeymoon in Greece. The painting is displayed in their master bedroom. “When I see the colors, I immediately feel what I was feeling when I first
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rex wolf/special to THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Left: A painting hangs in a bathroom in the Topeka home of Kimberly and Josh Svaty. Their collection also includes works by Matthew Richter (top) and Cally Krallman.
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Fence: Staining can Artists: Couple praises Mulvane museum, art lab help old fence look new Continued from 4
Continued from 3 wood fence, so you are probably going to need help from professionals. When deciding between straight-face and shadow box (the boards alternate sides), note that the shadow box will require more boards, so it will cost more. As for the tops of your boards, there is the traditional dog-ear (notched sides) or gothic (pencil-point top).
Staining and sealing a fence
While it is true a quality fence won’t need stain or sealant, both can improve your fence’s longevity and appearance. Steve Turnbow, owner of
Steve’s Deck Staining, 4312 S.E. Illinois Ave., said staining will make a difference for any fence that looks old and weathered. “Old fences that turn black, you can powerwash them and make them look new,” he said. “You can stain them, and they’ll last years.” Matt McPherson, owner of Renew Crew of Topeka/Lawrence, suggested renting a sprayer to stain a fence, because it will go much faster. However, you will want to make sure you backbrush to keep the stain from running and looking uneven. Turnbow said a stain can last five to six years on a fence before it will need to be re-stained.
saw it in Greece,” Kimberly said. The Svatys have continued to collect artworks, primarily Kansas landscapes by Lisa Grossman, Matthew Richter and other artists, and photographs of Kansas’ Smoky Hills by George Jerkovich. A mural commissioned by the Svatys and painted by Topeka artist Cally Krallman graces their entryway ceiling. Their collection has grown over time, and Josh encourages aspiring art enthusiasts to take their time in developing a collection as well. “Pace yourself. There is no need to cover every corner and wall,” he said. “Chip away at it. Leave empty spaces, walk by them until you find something that belongs there.”
In addition to their own art collection, the Svatys have collaborated with regional artists to bring in pieces for events in their home, which Kimberly says has allowed them to push their boundaries, grow and explore what they like. Along with these experiences has come the opportunity to become more familiar with the local art scene and interact with artists at art fairs, First Friday art walks in the NOTO Arts District and Mulvane Art Museum on the Washburn University campus. “Topeka and the surrounding region punches well above its weight in quality artists,” Josh said. The Svatys believe in the importance of exposing their children to art through visits to the Mulvane, where Kimberly is on the board of the Friends of
the Mulvane Art Museum, and the Art Lab, in the museum’s basement. The Art Lab is a handson, interactive exhibit that allows children and adults to explore the world of art free of charge. “The Mulvane Art Museum is a community gem. They work hard to bring in different, diverse pieces of art, and they make art unintimidating and bring it to people who may not have the opportunity to see it otherwise,” Kimberly said. “As I’m older and I realize the value of using the mind to think that way, I believe in letting children create via art. Strong art programs are important in the schools. Art is valuable to young minds and critical to everyone’s education.” Funding for the Mulvane Art Museum and Art Lab comes from several fund-
raisers organized by FOMAM. The largest is the Mulvane Art Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 4 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 5 at Washburn University. The juried art fair will feature more than 90 artists using a variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, wood, fiber, metal, glass, mixed media, jewelry and photography. Other highlights are live music, food trucks, a beer garden and children’s activities. Admission is $10 at the gate and free to children ages 12 and younger. “The art fair is a really fun event that supports a fantastic cause,” Kimberly said. “The Mulvane and the Art Lab bring joy and inspiration to the community, so we need to go out and support it.”
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