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Saturday, August 29, 2015 An Advertising Feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Jamie Hancock Garden Column – Minimizing the stuff of life – Hidden home hazards – Service Directory – Open House Directory –

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2 | Saturday, August 29, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Overseeding cool season lawns Jamie Hancock

jamiehan@ksu.edu

increase seed to soil contact more that aerating alone. This will maximize germination and coverage rate. Even lawns that are not being overseeded will benefit from an annual or biannual aerification. Do this in mid September when temperatures are cooling off. This will reduce chances of injury to the turf. It will be easier to do this step if the soil has 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.  Buy good, clean, quality seed. You do get what you pay for when it comes to grass seed. A tall fescue blend made from the KState turfgrass recommended varieties is a good choice for both sun and shade. Find these at you local nurseries and garden stores. Read the labels. Ideally, you want to find seed with 0% other seed and 0% weed seed. You will not like the results at 1- 2 %.  Broadcast your seed. Tall fescue blends should be overseeded at 3-4 pounds per 1000 square feet. Applying too much

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  One month before seeding use a broadleaf weed killer like Trimec, Weed-Out, Weed-B-Gon, or Weed-B-Gon Max plus Crabgrass killer. Do not use chemicals again until the new seedlings have been mowed three times. An exception is sidu- HANCOCK continues on 9A ron (Tupersan), a pre-emergence herbicide.  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 grass and never reach the ground, and allow for good light penetration. Remove debris.  There can be three options 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 both (aerate and one of these three). The verticutter, slit seeder or power rake can be rented and used in one direction. The machine will create ¼ inch deep grooves in the soil.

Rake and remove debris. Verticutting will

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Minimizing the stuff of life

By Todd Epp Special to the Topeka Capital-Journal

To paraphrase the late, great George Carlin, our houses are basically just places to put all our stuff.

In fact, according to the comedian, “The whole meaning of life is looking for a place to put our stuff.”

However, what some empty nesters, those headed to retirement homes and even some young people are finding out is that they can do without a lot of their stuff and downsize—and simplify—their lives.

Downsizing can mean getting rid of some of that stuff, moving to a smaller home or apartment, and cutting not just clutter but expenses as well.

But why do we have so much stuff to begin with? We might be depressed.

“We buy stuff because doing so gives us ‘shoppers high,’” said Regina Leeds, author of One Year to an Organized Life and named “Best Organizer in L.A.” by Los Angeles Magazine. “I think many people are a wee bit depressed and don’t recognize the symptoms.”

Another reason may be our competitiveness.

“I believe it is a slippery slope of keeping up with the Jones’s,” said Melissa Schmalenberger, a.k.a. MS. Simplicity from Fargo, North Dakota. She adds that people just don’t use stuff as long as our grandparents used to. They might have kept a couch for 40 years, Boomers or Millennials may keep it for only five to 10 years.

Whatever the reason for all the stuff, getting rid of it is not as easy as you might think. Connie Michaelis, marketing director at the McCrite Plaza Retirement Community in Topeka says physically getting rid of excess stuff is the easy part. It’s the mental part that is the tough first step to downsizing.

“Memories are mobile but the things that they are attached to need to be moved,” Michaelis said. “You need to be prepared to move on with just the memories.”

Fortunately, there are people and businesses who can help you do that for a fee.

DOWNSIZING continues on 5A

Stock Photo/Metro Creative Connection

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Downsizing: Follow the three rules Continued from 3A In Topeka, Naomi Frantzen owns Superior Senior Moves, LLC which helps elders in particular sort through what can stay and what can go.

“Downsizing is really a journey,” according to Frantzen. She says some people need her services as a certified relocation and transition specialist and they will probably save time if they do. Others can rely on trusted friends and family.

“Consider why you are taking this action, as it will help you make decisions,” Frantzen said. “If you are staying at your present location, you could go into each room and sit quietly with a pen and pad of paper. Ask yourself how you are using this room now, what’s working or not working?”

Downsizing isn’t just theory for Frantzen. She recently downsized from a 3200 square foot home to a 1000 square foot one.

“The process was a constant reminder of

my clients,” she said. “It also reminded me of the importance of the empathy I serve clients with and that was rewarding.”

Michaelis also preaches patience as an important part of the downsizing process.

“This is not something you just blow through,” she said. She says people need time to evaluate and process.

Michaelis also says there are three main rules for anyone downsizing: 1. Do I give it away? 2. Do I throw it away? Or 3. Do I sell it?

If you decide to sell items, that’s where the professionals like Frantzen, Schmalenberger and Leeds come in. They know reputable auctioneers and appraisers who can help with that process. It could be an estate sale that is the best solution if an elder is looking to drastically downsize to move to a smaller home or is going to a nursing home or similar facility.

Also, Texas attorney Lee Anderson warns of some antique malls that prey on seniors who have a lot of “good” stuff, enticing them to rent booths to sell their

items. Anderson says it is often a money losing proposition and cautions seniors to do their due diligence.

The experts say that the biggest mistake you can make regardless of your age is to not downsize.

“This painful, time consuming project has many rewards,” said Ginny Underwood, a professional organizer in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

She rattles off a long list of benefits.

“You will simply your life, organize your home, make some extra cash, sell your home faster, help local charities, pass on your heirlooms, reduce your moving costs, eliminate storage unit costs, reduce your utility bills, reduce your homeowner’s insurance premiums, improve your health and reduce your stress levels,” Underwood said.

In other words, paraphrasing George Carlin, you might find even more meaning in life. Or at least you won’t have so much stuff to find a place for.

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Hidden home hazards

By Linda A. Ditch Special to The Capital-Journal

Most of us see our home as a safe haven from the outside world. However, there are dangers hiding inside we may not see. Here are some hidden home perils and how to take care of them:  Dryer lint: Here’s an experiment for you to try. Scoop out the lint from your dryer’s filter. Take it outside and put it into an empty can or metal bucket. Then take a lighter or match and set it on fire. You may be amazed at how easily it burns. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, approximately 2,900 dryer fires happen yearly and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property damage. The primary cause is clogged lint filters and discharge pipes. Be sure to clean the lint trap each time you use the dryer, and clean out the exhaust tube at least 2 to 3 times each year.  Rugs and carpets: Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in the U.S., especially for adults 65 years of age and older.

According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 37,991 older adults

each year are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries related to rugs and carpets. To prevent accidents, make sure the carpet is tightly secured without ridges and loose edges, and check to make sure area rugs have non-slip backings or are taped down to prevent sliding.  Bath and shower: The bathroom is a common room where injuries happen, especially in the bathtub or shower. To help prevent accidents, put non-slip mats or decals in the bottom of the tub, use a nonskid mat outside the tub or shower, and make sure the hot water temperature is no higher than 120 degrees. Installing grab bars is also a good idea, especially for older people. Just be sure the bars are installed correctly so they work properly and do not damage the wall.  Lead paint: If your home was built before 1950, it almost certainly has lead paint.

If it was built between 1950 and 1978 (when lead paint was outlawed), then the paint might be lead-based. According to the EnStock Photo/Metro Creative Connection vironmental Protection Agency, lead poisoning that comes from this paint can cause loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, constipa- loss, mood disorders, high blood pressure, developmental delays, slowed growth and tion, and abdominal pain. In adults, it can abdominal pain, and muscle and joint pain. learning difficulties in children, along with cause mental declines, headaches, memory HOME continues on 10A

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Service Directory

Service Directory

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.

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Hancock: Straw mulching not recommended Continued from 2A seed can result in turf death from overcrowding, and can cause fungal diseases later on.  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.  Fertilize with a turf starter fertilizer.  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. This is a good schedule; wa-

ter three times per day for 10 minutes for two weeks. Decrease irrigation frequency and increase application amounts as the turf matures.  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.  Apply a late fall fertilizer in November.

Straw mulching is not recommended.

It needs to be relatively thick to be effective but, then it blocks the sunlight and can reduce germination. It may also con-

tain many 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 5-10 days. Your results may vary.

Whether you overseed or not, in November apply a ‘winterizer’ fertilizer at about 1-1.5 lb actual nitrogen/1000 square feet.

Use quick release not slow release fertilizer. This late fall application will prolong your fall winter color and store carbohy-

drates in roots. This will enhance and/or quicken the spring green up without causing excessive spring growth.

Rejuvenating your lawn can have great rewards.

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

Note: The Shawnee County Master Gardeners will present “Perennial Garden Layout” at the Topeka/ Shawnee County Public Library on September 10 at 7:00 in the evening. You will learn new ways to design and display your perennial garden.

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Home: Prevention is key Continued from 6A Unfortunately, symptoms usually do not show up until lead reaches dangerous levels in the blood. If the lead paint is securely covered under layers of newer paint, then it shouldn’t be a problem. However, if it is peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged, or damp, it needs to be taken care of immediately. You can have your home checked and any lead paint removed by a lead professional licensed through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. A list of lead professionals can be found at http://www.kdheks.gov/lead/ contact_lead_professionals.htm.

There are instructions available online for do-ityourself lead paint removal. If you choose this route, follow all of the steps exactly to keep from putting yourself and your family at risk. The paint you remove will have to be disposed of as hazardous waste.  Extension cords: We all need one from time to time, and more than likely you’re aware of the fire hazard, with extension cords causing approximately 3,000 fires each year according to the Electrical Safe-

ty Foundation International. However, did you also know these handy cords send about 4,000 people to the emergency room each year, with more than half of those injuries caused by tripping over the cord? To use extension cords safely, first make sure it is the proper type (indoor or outdoor) and power size for how you plan to use it.

Before each use, check the cord and plug for wear. Do not use if the cord is damaged or feels hot when in use. Never run extension cords behind walls or ceilings or under rugs. Make sure they do not get pinched in windows, doors, or under furniture, and keep them out of doorways or walkways to prevent tripping. Also, do not nail them to walls or baseboards. Finally, extension cords should only be a temporary solution.  Faulty electrical outlets and switches: Speaking of electricity, switches and outlets can become worn over time. Replace loose switches and aged outlets with updated versions to prevent shocks and fires.  Carbon monoxide: Every winter there seems to be a new story about a family getting sick or dying from carbon monoxide

poisoning. Since this is a colorless and odorless gas, you won’t know it’s around until the danger is at hand. It comes from combustion appliances such as gas furnaces, hot water heaters, and space heaters that are not working or vented properly.

More recently, carbon monoxide poisoning has been caused by people running gas generators or starting cars inside a garage, which can cause the gas to spread through the home. The easiest preventive step to take is installing carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your house. They are just as important as smoke detectors.  Radon: Another odorless, colorless gas that is also radioactive, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). It develops naturally in the soil and enters into your home through cracks in the foundation, around pipes, and at construction joints. Test kits are available for purchase to detect radon gas. If detected, contact a contractor about installing a ventilation pipe to remove the gas.  Mold: Damp areas of the home with poor air circulation are where you can find mold. It is also often found in places

where there has been a water leak from faulty plumbing or a damaged roof. Mold spores can lead to sinus problems, chronic coughs, eye irritation, asthma attacks and lung infections. Get rid of the mold by first stopping the moisture source. There are cleaning agents available to remove small patches, but larger areas will need to be handled by a mold removal contractor.  Hot water heater: Did you know this appliance we rely on daily to provide hot water can explode if excessive pressure or temperature builds up or, in the case of a gas model, the fumes ignite. Properly maintaining your water heater will keep this from happening. Open the manual pressure relief valve at least once a year to make sure it works. Never set the temperature higher than 212 degrees. Also keep combustible items away from gas water heaters. Your owner’s manual will give you all the information necessary to keep the water heater working safely and efficiently.

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