Landscaping
Saturday, August 27, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal
Fall pruning: Cut to the chase page 6
n Jamie Kidd on overseeding your lawn, page 2 n Turn an empty nest into usable space, page 4 n Combating mildew odor in closets, page 7
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Overseeding can rejuvenate your tired and saggy lawn Last week, we talked about completely renovating a lawn. Most of us don’t need to get that drastic. We just need to give our yards a face-lift or fill in the spots killed in this summer’s heat or wetness. Overseeding is a really good way to bring new life into a sagging lawn. This will take some time and planning, but not as much as renovating. Two things are essential for maximum seeding success: good sunlight penetration and seed-soil contact.
Steps for overseeding
n One month before seeding, use a broadleaf weed killer like Trimec, Weed-Out, Weed-B-Gon or Weed-B-Gon Max plus crabgrass killer. Don’t use chemicals again until the new seedlings have been mowed three times. An exception is siduron, or Tupersan, a pre-emergence herbicide. n Mow the existing grass to 1 inch. This will keep grass and weeds from competing with the new seedlings, help prevent seeds from lodging in tall
Jamie KiDD
jamiehan@ksu.edu
grass and never reaching the ground, and allow for good light penetration. Remove debris. n Three options exist for creating good seed-to-soil contact. Core aerate, or use one of the following: a verticutter, a slit seeder or a power rake. Or you could aerate and use one of the three tools listed. The verticutter, slit seeder or power rake can be rented and used in one direction. The machines will create quarter-inch-deep grooves in the soil. Rake and remove debris. Verticutting will increase seed-to-soil contact more that aerating alone. This will maximize germination and coverage rate. Even lawns that aren’t being overseeded will benefit from an annual or biannual aerification. Do this in mid-September when temperatures are cooling off
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
n Chad Bullock, of Premier Farm and Home Supply, will talk about weed problems and how best to spend your time and money combating them during “Fall Weed Control,” a presentation coordinated by the Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners, at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. Fall is the time to control many of the problem weeds that pop up in lawns each spring. n “Sassy Succulents,” a hands-on workshop, will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. Cost: $10 for materials. Sign up and pay at the Extension office before Sept. 2. The class will discuss simple tips and tricks on watering, propagating and growing healthy plants and offer supervised time to build a hands-on, take-home succulent container. to reduce chances of injury to the turf. It will be easier to do this step if the soil has
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Kids left the nest? Remodel their bedrooms By Staci Giordullo Angie’s List
You’ve done it. You’ve raised your kids, and they’re ready to be on their own. Maybe they’re leaving for college or maybe moving out for good (fingers crossed), and you’ll be left with an empty nest. What should you do with all the extra, empty bedrooms? One thing to keep in mind is, the more specialized the room becomes — like turning it into a photography darkroom — the harder it will be for a future buyer to visualize the space as a bedroom. “If the homeowner plans to downsize to a smaller property within a short
time, it would be prudent to design spaces that can easily convert back to a bedroom when it comes time to sell their home,” says Joseph Browns, president of InSync Home Design in Dallas. But if you’re not quite ready to downsize, here are some ideas for turning your empty nest into a fully utilized house. n His and hers offices. Creating separate dedicated rooms for both the king and queen of the castle can go a long way to keeping peace in the kingdom. “Husbands and wives typically are thrilled when they can get his-and-hers home offices,” says Sarah Gaffney, design manager at
Frank espich/angie’s list
Trying to fill your empty nest now that the kids are gone? Consider turning empty bedrooms into his and her offices or perhaps a greenhouse. Case Design & Remodeling in San Jose, Calif. “We see a lot of clients taking an extra bedroom and turning it into ‘mom’s chic retreat,’ a space where the wife can get away and relax.”
n Greenhouse. If the bedroom includes many windows and receives a fair amount of natural light during the day, you might want to turn it into a garden room. Stra-
tegically place shelving so your favorite indoor plants can benefit from the sun — south-facing windows receive the most light. Add an oversized chair for a cozy reading spot. The garden room also can house any outdoor plants you need to shelter from harsh winter conditions. n Home gym. It might be cliche to automatically turn one of the extra rooms into a home gym, but it can be a practical move. By storing some free weights, yoga mats and workout DVDs just down the hall, you won’t find any more excuses to avoid a quick workout. n Guest room. It’s probably a good idea
for you to keep at least one room as a guest room. At the very least, try to include a pullout sofa or Murphy bed to accommodate any overnight visitors. “This (guest) room should be decorated in the most welcoming of ways,” says Lisa Mason, owner of Inspirations for Your Home in Sandy Hook, Conn. “Have a queen-sized bed, which most couples, or even two small children, can sleep. Use beautiful bedding and window treatments or shades. Lighting on the walls in the way of sconces or table lamps for bedtime reading is helpful. Having a desk or vanity is also helpful as well as proper storage for clothes.”
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Pruning in the fall may not be a good idea Focus on removal of dead, diseased branches and plants
MORE ON PRUNING
For more information on pruning, the three-cut method and tools, K-State Research and Extension offers “All about Pruning,” a report available at www.bookstore.ksre. ksu.edu/pubs/c550.pdf and www. shawnee.k-state.edu/. Additional sources: n Topeka Landscape Inc., www.topekalandscape.com/, (785) 289-5892 n Stauffer Lawn and Landscape, http://staufferlawn.com/, (785) 256-7300
By Whitney Carnahan Special to The Capital-Journal
Pruning is something many homeowners believe they need to do to shrubs and trees in the fall. However, most pruning should really be done in the early spring and summer. For fall, focus on taking off dead branches and cleaning up the area. “(Fall) is not a good time to prune, and the reason is that any pruning we do on a plant automatically stimulates new growth,” said Jamie Kidd, a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County. “The problem is, if we prune in the fall and we get fresh tender new growth, then we will have a freeze that is going to kill it.” This is especially true in years when a hard frost occurs earlier in the year, Kidd said. “In November 2014, we had a quick, hard frost before trees all lost their leaves,” she recalled. “Usually, we don’t get that deep, hard freeze until December or January. Come spring 2015, the trees put up a whole new canopy of leaves, but the frost didn’t allow the trees to put enough food down into the roots. Then in spring 2016, tree leaves were spindly and tree tops were dead, because they didn’t have enough food stored up. “We can have things like that happen very often with quick frosts, or pruning in the fall and getting that part frosted off.”
How far to go
With pruning recommended for certain times of the year, it’s good to keep tabs on growth, said Barry Woodruff, of Topeka Landscape Inc., 3220 S.W. Auburn Road. “We normally don’t recommend heavy pruning unless a shrub has gotten out of control or outgrown its space,” Woodruff said. “Trees and shrubs can sneak up on you, and before you know it, they are
this heavy pruning keeps this from happening.”
Tools of the trade
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The rule for pruning goes like this: If it blooms in spring, prune in summer. If it blooms in summer, prune the next spring. Fall pruning is typically limited to removing dead and diseased branches and plants. overgrown and limbs may be hanging over the roof line or rubbing the house, blocking windows, walkways or guttering. “Walking your property and looking at all your landscaping is a good idea a couple times a year. Some plants can grow over 2 feet per year and need annual or semiannual pruning. If in doubt, call a professional. Once plants have reached the desirable height and width, pruning may have to be done more often.” Kidd said the rule is: If it blooms in spring, prune in summer. If it blooms in summer, prune the next spring. For fall, Kidd suggested: “Anything that is dead, dying or broken can be pruned at any time. You can prune anytime as long as you don’t take more than 10 percent of the plant off.” An example is blackberry bushes, in which you can easily identify the brown canes. Woodruff agreed. “Dead, damaged or diseased branches can and should be removed any time of year,” he said. “For the most part, shrubs that
bloom in the spring on old wood, like lilac and forsythia, should be pruned as soon as they are done flowering. “Summer flowering shrubs, like sweetspire and dwarf spirea, bloom on new wood and should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth. Many later-flowering shrubs can also be pruned right after blooming to encourage another round of blooms. Hydrangeas and some other shrubs can bloom on old or new wood, depending on the variety.” Allison Lewis, landscape designer/sales manager for Stauffer Lawn & Landscape in Auburn, said shrubs that are best trimmed in the fall also include boxwood, euonymus (burning bush), privet and yews. “Fall pruning is really just for minor touch-ups on plants to control any growth that took place during the summer,” Lewis said. “Shrubs that are best trimmed in the spring are barberry, butterfly bush, dogwood (shrub), holly, hydrangea (summer blooming), juniper, rose, rose of Sharon, spirea (summer blooming), viburnum and yews.
“It is important to remember when shrubs bloom in the springtime. If you prune plants that bloom in the spring before they bloom, you will cut off the flower for that season.” Lewis said a few plants benefit from heavy pruning. However, if you’re not cutting the plant all the way back each year, start by cutting it back half way the first year. Then the second year, cut it all the way back. “The only shrubs that I recommend doing this yearly to are summer flowering spirea and shrub roses,” she said. “These benefit from being cut all the way back to encourage more prolific flowering and a more full, compact plant. “Shrub roses benefit from being cut to 6 feet to 8 feet in height and to thin out the canes. I like to keep five to eight canes per plant. This also helps encourage good air flow through the plant. “Summer flowering spirea benefits from being cut to 4 feet to 5 feet in height. This keeps the shrub compact, full and full of flowers. Both of these plants have a tendency to become ‘leggy’ over time, and
When pruning, it can be hard to know what tools to use. Kidd said gardeners need three basic pruning tools: a hand pruner, for branches that are smaller than a pencil; a lopper, with long handles that can cut branches up to 1½ (inches) in diameter; and a pruning saw, which has “a curved, bladed saw with a specific set of teeth.” The next step is to make sure tools stay clean and sharp. “If used daily like we do, going over the cutting edge with a sharpening stone lightly each morning greatly improves the performance of the tool, and (it’s) less likely to tear and much easier to operate,” said Cliff Butterfield, of Topeka Landscape Inc. “If used less often, (it should be sharpened after) every eight to 10 hours of use, or as needed. “All cutting edges need to be cleaned between jobs. Preferably, (for) the most common tools, like the hand pruner, (it) is best if you have two. One can be soaking in one part rubbing alcohol and one part water, while you’re using the other one. (You) should let them soak in the solution for five minutes or so.” Lewis agreed. “The most important tool to clean is hand pruners after trimming roses,” she said. “They should be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe after each plant.
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Ventilation may cause mildew odor Plan ahead to install Changing air flow may improve humidity levels By C. Dwight Barnett Tribune News Service
Q: I bought a 60-yearold house two years ago. A new roof was installed by the owner. I am now noticing a mildew odor in the closets. It has been very humid. Can an improperly installed roof be the cause? It does not leak. Your thoughts, please. A: Any changes you make to an area of a home might have an effect on another area of the home. Also one person’s living habits as opposed to another can affect the home. Can a new roof cause mildew? It’s not the roof as much as it might be the roof-to-attic ventilation.
If additional ventilation was installed on the new roof or ventilation was removed, it could change the airflow and pressures inside the home. By changing the airflow, you also may change the humidity levels inside the home. Also, as a new owner you may be producing more moisture by having more people in the home, bathing more often, doing more laundry, cleaning more often, cooking differently, etc. All human activities create moisture; even breathing releases moisture. Usually a mildew odor in a closet results from poor airflow due to ex-
cess storage or clothing stacked too tightly up against an uninsulated or under-insulated exterior wall. Without the proper airflow, moisture can form between stored items and a cooler exterior wall. This generally happens on the shaded side of the home. Try moving some items away from the exterior wall and leaving the closet doors open to promote airflow. If you can see the mildew or mold, simply use a tack cloth or brush it off with a stiff brush while using a vacuum to clean the spores. A vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air)
filter works best. Don’t clean with bleach or other liquids. If you notice the odors but cannot visibly see the spores, place a dehumidifier near the room to remove excess humidity and keep the air conditioner at 75 degrees or less to help remove moisture from the air. The dehumidifier should be set between 50and 60-percent humidity levels. The dehumidifier will have a catch pan to collect the moisture and will need to be emptied often. A small pump can be used to remove the water from the pan to an approved location. C. Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors.
a rain-style shower By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service
Q: Dear Ed: We’re building a new house soon and want to include a rain head shower stall in our bathroom. With all the water conservation rules, is this still possible? If so, can you please go over some basic tips for installing a rain-style shower? Thanks. — Gail, Kansas. A: With water flow restrictions in many areas, the first step is to check with your inspectors to make sure you follow your local water use codes. Also, most rain head showers are piped down from the ceiling, so make sure you have the headroom in your bathroom. The good news is, in most
cases, new rain head shower technology can allow you to enjoy a nice rain shower while still meeting local water flow codes. In place of extra water to produce a drenching rainstorm feeling, new air-induction technology is available. Air induction is mixing air with water to produce large water droplets, giving the user a comfortable watersaving raindrop experience. Just remember, these showerheads can be pricey, so expect to pour out a little money if you want to upgrade to a rain head shower. Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate.
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Kidd: Buy good, clean, quality seed Pruning: When homeowners trim trees, they should practice caution Continued from 2
been moistened a day or two before. When aerifying, allow the cores to dry for a day then verticut the lawn in one direction and remove debris. This will prepare your yard for overseeding and chop up the aerification plugs as well. Be sure to flag your irrigation heads to avoid hitting them. n Buy good, clean, quality seed. You do get what you pay for when it comes to grass seed. A tall fescue blend made from Kansas State University’s recommended turfgrass varieties is a good choice for both sun and shade. Find the blends at your local nurseries and garden stores. Read the labels. Ideally, you want to find seed with zero percent other seed and zero percent weed seed. You won’t like the results at 1 percent to 2 percent. n Broadcast the seed. Tall fescue blends should be overseeded at 3 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Applying too much can result
in turf death from overcrowding and can cause fungal diseases later on. n Verticut/power rake again, this time at a 90-degree angle to the last pass. Try to distribute the debris evenly or rake and remove any large piles. n Fertilize with a turfstarter fertilizer. n Initial irrigation should slowly saturate the entire soil profile to about 6 inches deep. After that, water frequently enough that the soil surface stays damp, but not soaking wet. A good schedule is: Water three times a day for 10 minutes for two weeks. Decrease irrigation frequency and increase application amounts as the turf matures. n Mow. As soon as the new cool-season grasses reach a height of 3 inches, mow with a sharp blade set at a height of 2 inches. Regular mowing stimulates grass to spread rather than grow upright. n Apply a late-fall fertilizer in November. n Straw mulching isn’t recommended. It needs
to be relatively thick to be effective, but then it blocks the sunlight and can reduce germination. It may also contain weed seeds that will contaminate your nice new lawn. A light covering of compost can be helpful, but not always necessary if you have aerated and sliced the soil. Under “ideal” moisture, sunlight and temperature conditions, tall fescue seed germinates in about five to 10 days. Your results may vary. Whether you overseed or not, in November apply a “winterizer” fertilizer at about 1 to 1 ½ pounds actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Use quick-release, not slow-release, fertilizer. This late-fall application will prolong the color and store carbohydrates in roots. It also will enhance and/or quicken the spring green-up without causing excessive spring growth. Rejuvenating your lawn can have great rewards. Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.
Continued from 6 “This helps to control the spread of disease.” When pruning, should the cuts be at an angle? Cuts should be made just outside where the branch flares from the trunk, Woodruff said. “If too deep, it could prevent healing, and if too long, it will be unsightly. When cutting back shrubs, you
want to cut just past the last nodule at a 45-degree angle of the plant stem,” he said. “For trees, it is best to prune them in the winter time,” Lewis added. “The trees will stress less, because they are moving fewer fluids up through the tree. The best tools again are loppers, pole pruners or a pruning saw.” Lewis said homeowners should be cautious when
trimming trees. “We recommend using a licensed tree contractor,” she said. When cutting the branch of the tree, Kidd said, make sure not to cut the “wrinkle” of the branch. “Those wrinkles come around and seal the edge of the branch you’ve cut off,” she said. “The tree is going to heal themselves. We just have to help them do it.”
Fall trend: Mixing, matching metals The Associated Press Beth Kushnick, set decorator for CBS’ “The Good Wife,” puts metallics near the top of her trend list for this fall. “Some are highly reflective and others are more subtle, but they’re in gold, silver, copper and rubbed bronze. They really up-
scale a look and broaden a color palette,” Kushnick says. The trend also appeals to Amy Matthews, the Minneapolis-based renovation maven who has hosted shows on HGTV, DIY Network and TheDesignNetwork. com. Her style tip: Don’t overdo it. “I prefer not to pick any
more than three different metallic-finished pieces, and then put them together for an eclectic and timeless look,” she says. Kushnick also is betting on blue this fall. “My go-to color is always blue,” she says. “I’m seeing dark blue and teal in particular now, which work so well for a variety of styles.”
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TIP OF THE WEEK Freshen up your dog by lightly dampening a microfiber cloth with water and wiping over its fur. If your cat or dog needs to get the gunk out of its eyes, a microfiber cloth will do the job nicely. And if your pet gets a dirty “beard� after eating, the cloth will remove that food crud.
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