At Home Living 110715

homes.cjonline.com

REALTOR

®

Saturday, November 7, 2015 An Advertising Feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Jamie (Hancock) Kidd Garden Column – 2 How to warm up home decor for winter – 6 Seven safety tips to prepare your family for the unexpected – 7 Service Directory – 10

2 | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Control weeds in the fall Jamie (Hancock) Kidd

jamiehan@ksu.edu Weeds are bullies. Yes, sireee bob. Some lie in wait for an opportune moment while others erupt seemingly overnight. I have been strong-armed by more weeds that I care to say. “Weeds are nothing more that plants out of place,” says some gardening philosopher. I say, that philosopher has never met my weeds. They are rude, crude thugs that intimidate my lawn and flowers.

A plant out of place, my foot!

It took me some time to calm this person down but when I did this gardener got a grip on how to handle pesky weeds in the fall. (Some days my job is harder than other days.) Bully weeds no longer torture this person. If you are feeling bullied by your weeds here are some suggestions.

Early November is an excellent time to control those pesky cool season weeds and give us a head start on the weeds in spring. Dandelions are more easily controlled now than in spring because they are actively moving materials from the top portion of the plant to the roots. Herbicides will translocate to the roots as well and will kill the plant from the roots up.

Treating perennial broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions, chickweed, and henbit now while they are young will also allow the turf to fill in the open spots and make spring weed germination more difficult.

Herbicides such as 2,4-D or combination products (Trimec, Weed-B-Gon, WeedOut) that contain 2,4-D, MCPP and Dicamba can take the guess work out of weed control. Broadleaf weeds that are not controlled by 2,4-D are usually controlled by one of the other herbicides. For example, 2,4-D provides excellent control of dandelion and plantain, but provides poor control of white clover or red sorrel. Dicamba, on the other hand, provides excellent control of white clover and red sorrel and only fair control of dandelion or plantain. By applying a combination of these two, all four weeds will be controlled. Combination products don’t necessarily control all broadleaf weeds in your yard. It is possible to choose the wrong combination of herbicides (i.e. 2,4-D+MCPP instead of 2,4-D + MCPP + Dicamba) and some weeds are just naturally hard to control. This is why

it is important to identify the weeds before purchasing products to eradicate them.

Do not apply broadleaf herbicides within 4-6 weeks before seeding and not until the new grass has been mowed at least twice.  Choose a day that is 50 degrees or higher to apply herbicides.  With liquid or soluble broadleaf herbicides, do not mow for several days before and after the application to allow for maximum uptake and translocation of the herbicide.  Do not add grass clippings to the compost pile that have been treated with a herbicide. Residuals can kill good plants in your garden in spring.  Do not water for at least 24 hours after application, and do not treat if rain is expected within 24 hours.  Always read and follow the herbicide label instructions carefully to maximize the efficiency of your application. Remember, more is not always better. It is possible to make weed infestation worse!

Weed Free Zone (also sold under the name of Speed Zone) is a relatively new herbicide, according to Ward Upham a KState Horticulture Specialist, and contains the three active ingredients mentioned above plus carfentrazone. He tells us that it gives a quicker response than the other products mentioned and will work better when temperatures approach 50 degrees.

November fertilizer application

This is a good time to apply fertilizer to your lawn. Top growth of cool season turf has nearly stopped, but rhizomes (underground runners) and roots are continuing to increase. Apply a quick-release high nitrogen fertilizer like 27-3-3, 29-5-4, 16-0-0 Nitrate of soda, 49-0-0 Urea or something similar.

Several of these fertilizers also contain herbicides. This can decrease you labor time when addressing broadleaf weed issues, but you are more likely to gain better control with liquid spray herbicides. And, generally, the sprays are less expensive than the granular herbicides based on the amount of actual active ingredient.

Anything that will promote proper turf grass growth will ultimately minimize weed populations.

NOTE: If you have a good thick lawn you may only need to treat for weeds along the edges of walks and drives.

Let’s all work together to prevent bullying.

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

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | 3

4 | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | 5

6 | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Style at Home:

How to warm up home decor for winter

By Mary Carol Garrity Tribune News Service

When you have a crazy lifelong obsession with decorating, like I do, and you get to play with new styles, colors, patterns and decorating trends at work all day, it’s hard to pick the one look for your home that’s your favorite. Maybe that’s why I tweak my home decor on a regular basis, especially when the seasons are changing.

Right now, as the weather is getting cooler, I’m adding little touches here and there to make my cottage warm and snug.

In my living room, it’s all about the plaid I am over the moon about all menswear fabrics. Show me a paisley, check or stripe, and my heart races. I love how these sophisticated, timeless patterns blend together to make a space rich, complex and unique. But my favorite fabric for fall and winter, hands down, is plaid. You’d think that after I’d been interned in Catholic school for years, dressed in that infamous plaid skirt uniform, every ounce of plaid passion would have been squeezed from my heart. But plaid and I, we are married for life.

As the weather gets colder, I swap out my lightweight summer pillows for fall pillows, with their heavier weights and richer colors. Every year I indulge myself in some new pillows just to keep things fresh.

My new favorite, easy-as-pie trick to instantly warm up my decor is to poke in throw blankets. Especially when they are plaid! I always have at least one blanket on the arm of my sofa or tossed over the back of a chair. I keep a basket filled with throw blankets tucked under a table in the living room so I can pull one out to wrap up snug while I’m drinking my coffee every morning.

My dining room is set for fun These days, Dan and I are a little less formal and a little more spontaneous when it comes to entertaining. I love to have friends over on a whim. To make instant dinner parties stress-free, I decided to come up with a tabletop design I would keep in place all season. The place settings are at the ready, so all I have to do is swoop in after work and dish up the carryout!

Instead of a tablecloth, which is harder to launder, I topped my table with two fabric runners, nestled under the place settings so I don’t need placemats. My rule of thumb is to use only two runners on

My favorite fabric for fall and winter, hands down, is plaid. the table, then to put placemats under the table settings at the ends of the table.

My centerpiece is about as easy as it gets: A potted plant I grabbed from the floral section of the grocery store flanked by two hurricane lamps. For fun, I looped a fall ribbon through the stack of plates.

The ticking napkins are really dish towels. I like their generous size and that they launder so well. When I change my table design for my holiday look, these cuties are going to replace the nasty, worn out dishtowels I’ve been using for way to long.

I can’t seem to ever set my table without using my set of simple white dishes.

I’m caught up in their magnetic field, and I can’t seem to extract myself because they are so darn fun and easy to decorate around. Everything looks great with them! I added some texture with my go-to wicker chargers and dotted in some color through these majolica dishes.

You know me: I can’t seem to have a dinner party without something crazy

happening. A few days ago, I had a few girlfriends over for a quiet dinner when Couscous, our fat cat, decided to liven things up.

We had all the windows open to catch the fall breeze while we sat around the table, engrossed in conversation. Couscous, who was out prowling the neighborhood, decided he was coming inside. Instead of meowing at the door like a normal cat, he clawed his way up the arbor behind our house, then launched himself like a cannonball through the open window! Imagine our shock, as we’re chatting away, when suddenly a big fur ball comes flying through the open window and cascades across the floor with a thump! Scared us all to death, until we saw it was the crazy cat. Then we laughed so hard we cried!

The outdoor spaces are dressed for fall This is our second fall in our little lake cottage. But I wanted our garden to look full and mature, like it had been in place for decades. Since I don’t know the first thing

(Handout/Tribune News Service)

about gardening, I hired Bill and Richard to come up with a landscaping plan. Some women overspend on clothing, shoes or jewelry. Me? I have sunk every dime of my little nest egg into paving stones, bushes and flowers. My wardrobe looks like hell, but my garden is magnificent!

I love to spend time outdoors on crisp fall evenings. Most nights, Dan builds a fire and our neighbor wanders by with her dog Augie, our dog Lyric’s best friend. While the dogs run around the lawn, we gather by the fire, wrapped up snug in blankets, unwinding after a long day at work, in our little cottage by the lake. Thanks for joining me at Innisfree, during this quiet respite before the hurly-burly fun of the holidays!

This column was adapted from Mary Carol Garrity’s blog at www.nellhills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@nellhills.com.

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

Seven safety tips to prepare your family for the unexpected

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Enjoying family time.

Family Features

When weather or other unforeseen circumstances cause a power outage, a portable generator may be the perfect solution.

Although there are many benefits to using a generator as a temporary power source, some may be unaware of the dangers.

Part of being prepared for an emergency is having a portable generator to supply power in the event of an outage. Many homeowners opt for portable generators when temporary or remote electric power is not readily available. They provide flexibility, convenience and the ability to power lights and comfort devices, such as fans or space heaters, when the power

goes out.

While taking advantage of these benefits, users need to exercise caution to avoid a serious risk associated with the misuse of portable generators: carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide, which is contained in toxic engine exhaust, is tasteless, colorless and odorless. Unfortunately, it also can be deadly.

That’s why the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association (PGMA) recommends you take time to become familiar with your generator and all of its safety operation instructions, as well as warnings about potential hazards. Keep the operator’s manual in a safe place so you can refer to it easily, and always keep these

safety tips in mind: 1. Read and follow the operator’s manual before starting the generator.

2. Never run a portable generator indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces, even if you plan to use fans or open doors or windows for ventilation.

3. Always take your portable generator outside, placing it downwind with the engine exhaust pointed away from occupied spaces.

4. Avoid placing a portable generator near windows, doors or vents, as carbon monoxide gas can accumulate and potentially be drawn indoors.

5. Install battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms according to manufacturer’s

instructions. Replace batteries and test the alarm regularly to ensure it is in good working condition.

6. Know how to recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness and fainting.

7. If you feel sick, dizzy or weak while using your portable generator, get to fresh air immediately and call 911 for emergency medical attention.

For more information about how portable generators can provide a safe solution to your power emergencies, visit www.pgmaonline.com.

8 | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | 9

10 | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

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.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | 11

12 | Saturday, November 7, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home