SPRING
HOME & GARDEN
kpcnews.com
2014
COVER STORY Riverview Nursery specializes in plants native to northeast Indiana
LAKESIDE LANDSCAPING There are certain plants you should avoid planting near waterways
GARDENING BASICS Don’t let a little warm weather fool you into the garden too soon
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Spring Home and Garden
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March 21, 2014
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CASINGS • BASES • HANDRAILS • PICTURE MOULDINGS • IN STOCK AT AUBURN HARDWOOD MOULDINGS
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CASINGS • BASES • HANDRAILS • PICTURE MOULDINGS • IN STOCK AT AUBURN HARDWOOD MOULDINGS
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March 21, 2014
It’s been a little wintry lately, but it’s ofďŹ cial – spring has come to northeast Indiana! With temperatures heating up and the sun shining brightly, Hoosiers are anxious to work on their properties and homes, both inside and out. We hope this guide will inspire you and help make all of your home and garden projects easier. Inside, you’ll ďŹ nd tips on making your home more beautiful, well maintained and polished. This guide is also available online at kpcnews.com Best wishes for a wonderful and productive spring from everyone at KPC Media Group!
BY JENNIFER DECKER jdecker@kpcmedia.com
CROOKED LAKE — Native plants can be used to make lakefront landscaping beautiful, especially since natural vegetation is already acclimated to the Hoosier climate. Nate Simons, executive director of Blue Heron Ministries, Crooked Lake, said such landscaping doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, especially around northeast Indiana’s lakes. “Native plants are more adaptable,â€? he said, meaning such varieties as bull rushes, irises, marsh milkweed and wildowers are good choices. Even though they can be found about everywhere in northeast Indiana, introducing cattails is not suggested. “Not cattails, because they can be quite aggressive,â€? Simons said.
On the cover A honeybee with pollen basket is shown on Ohio spiderwort. Photo contributed
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Native Indiana plants can be used for landscaping
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Spring Home and Garden
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Purple loosestrife can be found in marshes throughout northeast Indiana, but it chokes out native species of plants. This is one plant that should be avoided when planting around area lakes.
One aspect to keep in mind is what type of protection plants will have against water. “It will depend on how much wave
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Spring Home and Garden
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LANDSCAPING From page 3
Such landscaping, if done correctly, can create habitats for creatures. Simons said he can give pointers to those wanting to create water wonderlands along banks. Some permits are required, he noted. When it comes to planting non-native invasive species, they most definitely want to be avoided, especially purple loosestrife, said Pete Hippensteel, Lake James, a retired biology professor at Tri-State University and technical vice president of the Steuben County Lakes Council. “It may be on the Indiana restricted list,” he said. “It out-competes with many native plants and received the most attention.” Hippensteel mentioned two other types of non-native invasive species, phragmite and Eurasian milfoil. He said both are present in northeastern Indiana.
“Phragmites have a tall, bushy head. It’s been invasive for northwestern Indiana for sometime,” he said. “One that’s always received the most attention is Eurasion milfoil. It’s in lakes and interferes with boats and other activity.” The Indiana Department of Natural Resources website said of more than 2,000 species of Hoosier vascular plants, about 25 percent are non-native. Most don’t create problems in natural areas, but those that do compete and crowd out more desirable native species. Some of those non-invasive plants are purple loosestrife, Japanese honeysuckle, autumn olive, glossy buckthorn and garlic mustard. For a complete list of the non-native invasive species of plants, visit in.gov. For more details, call Simons at 316-2498.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Smooth blue aster This smooth blue aster is shown growing at Riverside Garden’s Market in Leo-Cedarville. Martha Bishop Ferguson, owner, turned a passion into a business. She has done work to rehabilitate gardens at the Gene Stratton-Porter site at Rome City. Most of the plants provided by Riverside are indigenous to northeast Indiana.
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March 21, 2014
Spring Home and Garden
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Fresh herbs should have a place in every home BY PATRICK REDMOND predmond@kpcmedia.com
“Growing your own herbs is less expensive than buying them in the store.” LAGRANGE — When planning this Herbs are easier to grow than most summer’s garden, experts remind all houseplants. All they need is a warm, sunny gardeners not to forget to include herbs. place to grow, good soil and a little nutrition. Fresh herbs are some of the easiest plants Backyard decks, patios and even window to grow, and can help boost the flavor of all sills are great locations for growing herbs in most any meal, said Purdue University trained containers. However, container gardening Master Gardener Rosemary Marcon. And does require that the plants be carefully even gardeners challenged for space can grow monitored, get sunshine, have regular water all the fresh herbs they’ll need using clay pots and will require some additional plant instead of taking up valuable garden space. nutrition. Still, some confusion remains about just Most herb plants love sunlight and require what is an herb. at least 4 hours of sunshine a day. Harvesting Herbs are the green, leafy plants used is simple. Just cut off about 1/3 of the top of to flavor food, make some medicines and plant when it reaches 6 to 8 inches tall. Don’t perfume. Culinary users typically distinguish worry about damaging the plant because herbs as the green parts of a plant used fresh herbs regrow quickly. or dried. In addition to adding flavor to foods, Some common examples of herbs are herbs can help people eat healthier, said basil, rosemary, parsley, dill and thyme. Ann Fremion, the LaGrange County Purdue Herbs vary in size too. Basil can be large, and University Extension Service health and rosemary small and spiny, but each is still the human sciences educator. leafy part of the plant, and therefore, an herb. “Herbs can help you reduce your sodium,” Herbs have been around the kitchen and she explained. “They give more flavor the medicine chest for a long, long time and without adding salt.” are easy plants to grow, said Marcon. Basil is a must for most Italian dishes, and “You can grow almost any herb without homegrown dill makes pickles special. Chives a lot of time or effort,” she explained. are some of the simplest plants to grow, and
Marcon suggested growing onion chives because of their flavor. Parsley she said, is much more than a garnish, and she suggests it be used to sprinkle on grilled meats. “It’s great on a flat steak on the grill,” she explained. But Marcon said she has her favorites, and offers gardeners a list of four herbs she thinks no home should be without. “My first is sage,” Marcon said, “It’s a really old herb. It’s a good herb, very easy
to grow in both a garden or in a container. It needs well-drained soil and is great when used with chicken, in stuffing or used to make a tea.” Her second favorite is mint, although Marcon cautions that mint can spread quickly making it an herb best grown in containers. “It spreads with runners,” she cautions. “It grows well in shade, and has many different and unique varieties, including chocolate See HERBS page 6
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HERBS From page 5
mint.” Like many herbs, mint has many uses, Marcon said, from teas to garnishes. It is also believed to be a great aid to digestion, and is often served after meals. Her third favorite herb is lavender, most commonly used to scent soaps, but Marcon said he has culinary uses too. “Some people use it to make lavender lemonade, and the flowers can be used in cookies,” she said. Finally, Marcon’s last, and perhaps favorite herb is rosemary. “My name,” she said with a laugh. “I just love the smell of rosemary. In Texas, everybody grows rosemary and it can be a huge plant.” Rosemary is commonly used with dishes like chicken and beef, and a great herb to add to potatoes. All herbs can be harvested and dried for later use. Marcon suggests herbs be bundled and hung upside down to dry. Fresh herbs and dried herbs aren’t the same because of the evaporation of essential oils, so while fresh rosemary and dried rosemary might be the same, consider each different and experiment to determine how much to use.
MIKE MARTURELLO
This rosemary plant is ready to be potted for growing on a windowsill or eventual transplanting in a garden, once gardening season arrives in northeast Indiana.
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Mint grows well in the shade and is best grown in pots because it spreads quickly.
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Spring Home and Garden
Prioritize safety when power washing METRO CREATIVE CONNECTIONS
Patios, decks and outdoor entertaining areas often need some TLC. Homeowners looking forward to enjoying the warm air again often start their annual chore of readying such areas for the entertaining season in the spring, and cleaning outdoor furniture and entertaining areas is a big part of that process. Very often individuals turn to pressure washing machines to clean such areas; while pressure and power washers are effective, they also can be dangerous if homeowners don’t prioritize safety when operating these machines. Pressure washing machines come in many varieties, and not all are created equal. Smaller, electric-powered systems may be effective for cars and boats but ineffective at cleaning grime on a house or driveway. Pressure washers also may have hot or cold water supplies. Hot water can help cleaning detergents emulsify dirt faster and more effectively than cold water. The cleaning capacity of these machines is measured in cleaning units — or the water pressure multiplied by the flow rate. The higher the cleaning units, the greater the cleaning power of the device. But more powerful tools also carry a greater safety risk, highlighting the importance users must place on safety when operating such machines. The following are a few safety tips homeowners can employ to ensure their next power washing project goes off without a hitch. • Clear away furniture and any obstacles from the area where you will be cleaning. You want the area to be free of tripping hazards or items that can be damaged by the spray. • Keep children and pets away from the area while the cleaning is taking place. Pressure washers are powerful, and highly pressurized water spray can cause injuries. Slips and falls on wet surfaces may occur, and high-pressure injection can happen when water and chemicals penetrate the skin and cause tissue damage. • Eye and ear protection should be worn at all times when working with a pressure washer. • Many pressure washers work better when used in conjunction with some type of cleaning solution. A combination of bleach and water will help loosen dirt and will require less pressure from the washer. • As you grow accustomed to the power of the washer, it is best to adjust the nozzle to a wide angle fan and the lowest pressure setting to see how effectively it cleans a given surface. Increase pressure accordingly as the project progresses. Making the water stream too narrow could cause damage. It takes time to learn the subtleties of the machine, so users should allow themselves ample time to grow comfortable with the
machine. • Keep the pressure wand 10 to 12 inches away from the surface that needs cleaning. Make small passes and check the cleaned area, adjusting the pressure and stream accordingly. • Begin in the farthest corner of a deck, driveway or patio and the highest spot of a home. Use slow, even sweeps with the pressure wand, being careful to maintain an equal distance from the tip to the work surface. This helps to ensure even cleaning and reduces the chances of streaks and overlapping of the pressure spray. • When working on a home, avoid spraying the water at a steep angle under siding or directly into corners. Do not spray under the edges of window or doors. Use caution around dryer and attic vents as well. You may end up soaking the inside of the home or cause water damage unwittingly. • Always use caution when operating a pressure washer while on a ladder. The power of the device can easily compromise your balance. If ever you feel uncomfortable using the pressure washer, stop and consider hiring a professional. It is much better to make that investment rather than damage your home or risk injury.
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Spring Home and Garden
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March 21, 2014
Nursery has native plants for habitat-friendly landscaping BY AMY OBERLIN aoberlin@kpcmedia.com
SPENCERVILLE — A Master Gardener who rehabilitated Gene StrattonPorter’s gardens in Rome City sells homegrown landscaping plants through Riverview Nursery. Martha Bishop Ferguson started the business last year, and offers a variety of plants native to the area. Eighty-five percent of the plants are local genotypes, “meaning it is local to northeast Indiana,” said Ferguson, an advanced Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. The plants are adapted genetically to the weather, soil and wildlife and are all perennial, meaning they come up year after year. Gardening was Ferguson’s hobby and became her second career after 31 years at Lincoln Financial in Fort Wayne in marketing and sales. She earned the Master Gardener title in 2001 and worked for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
from 2005-11 at the Gene Stratton-Porter Historic Site on a garden restoration project. “She was interested in restoring native habitat, birds and butterflies, 100 years ago,” said Ferguson. “We’re still trying to do what she did 100 years ago.” Many of the plants bought at retail sites are imported or hybridized. They do not fit the food chain and growth cycle of the area. Naturally- grown plants can provide nectar for birds and bees, promoting pollination and biodiversity. “I discovered that there were no native retail nurseries in northeastern Indiana,” said Ferguson. Riverview Nursery opened in the fall of 2012, and will be a stop this year on the Rural Art Tour, May 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ferguson promotes her products at Riverside Gardens Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays, May 13 through Oct. 7, in See NURSERY page 9
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NURSERY
Spring Home and Garden
The perfect place for the fun things in life..
From page 8
Leo-Cedarville. “I sell plants from seeds collected in undisturbed areas,” said Ferguson. Those areas include Indiana and slightly into Michigan and Ohio. Because they belong in local soil, they take root easily. “As long as you can work the ground and get into it … there’s not a concern about planting before frost date,” said Ferguson. The plants are low maintenance, she said, and adapted to the water and soil. “You should water them that first year to establish the roots,” she said. After that, the plants will be mostly self-sustaining, though in drought conditions, Ferguson said, “maybe a drink.” She said native landscaping is especially good for summer homes because they don’t need a lot of tending or watering.
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They do not need fertilizers or pesticides. “I selected the species that are proven to be good in landscaping,” Ferguson said. The focus was showy blooms, fall foliage and winter interest. The plants sold by Riverview Nursery pop with dazzling colors. From columbine pink and yellow to the smooth blue aster, they add variety and color to landscaping. Riverview also has a wide slate of plants that do well in wet soils, such as lake sides or rain gardens. They include bright pink swamp milkweed, red cardinal flower, blue bottle gentian and golden alexander. A complete list of Riverview’s offerings is at riverviewnativenursery.com or by calling 704-5092 or emailing to riverview. flowers@gmail.com. There is an e-newsletter and a Facebook page.
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Spring Home and Garden
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March 21, 2014
Get children interested in gardening METRO CREATIVE CONNECTIONS
Many adults understand the joy of gardening, but gardening can be equally fun for children as well. While some adults may feel that certain children do not have the patience or perseverance to see plants grow from seeds to adulthood, selecting plants that are hardy and sprout quickly may be the key to igniting a love of gardening in children. Choosing seeds that sprout quickly can hold the attention of children who are new to gardening. Many different plants fit this bill. Beans, peas, sunflower seeds, and bell pepper seeds are easy to start and germinate quickly. In addition, many leafy vegetables, such as chard, lettuce, spinach, and mustard, germinate in three to five days. Herbs, such as basil and parsley, also sprout fast. All of these plants are good options for introducing children to gardening, as each provides quick gratification. To further interest children, it is a good idea to plant seeds in a way that allows youngsters to monitor the progress of growth. Use a transparent
container, such as rinsed-out glass jars and canisters, to house the plant. Such containers give kids an unobstructed view of the process, during which children can plot the progress of seed germination and easily spot root and stem development. Once the seedlings grow larger, they can be transplanted into different containers. Many seedlings can sprout with water alone. Children can easily grow new plants from clippings of a mature plant left resting in a shallow cup of water, and seeds may not even need soil to germinate. Kids may have luck sprinkling seeds on a dampened, crumpled-up piece of paper towel. Cotton balls also make a good place to nestle seeds. Either material will hold on to water, keeping the seeds moist until they sprout. Afterward, the seedlings can be carefully moved into a soil-and-compost mix. The paper towel and the cotton balls will decompose and add to the organic matter already in the soil. Edible plants often make good choices for children because kids can reap the
rewards of their efforts. Herbs can be sprinkled onto food, or fruits and vegetables can be grown in containers and then served at mealtime. Kids can show pride in their accomplishments, especially if they have tangible results on the dinner plate. Children who want to try something different can explore other types of plants. Aquatic plants, or those found at the pet store to grow in aquariums, can be easy to grow. They need little more than a container, fresh water and sunlight. Cacti and other succulents are also fun to explore. These plants are quite hardy in that they can stand up to moderate abuse, such as failure to water frequently enough. The unique appearance of cacti make them interesting focal points for an indoor garden. A love of gardening that’s fostered inside can also be explored outdoors. Set aside a plot of dirt where kids can sow their own seeds and tend to their own gardens. This hobby can help children learn patience and hard work while fostering an appreciation of nature.
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Youngsters can have a lot of fun gardening, if given the proper nurturing from adults.
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Spring Home and Garden
11
Tackle spring cleaning with the environment in mind METRO CREATIVE CONNECTIONS
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Homeowners should periodically inspect their appliances, including vacuum cleaners, to ensure they are working at peak efficiency and not expending excess energy.
Spring is a time of year when many people resolve to give their homes or apartments a thorough cleaning. Spring cleaning projects help people revitalize their homes for the warm months ahead, when windows are once again opened, fresh air pervades homes and items that might have accumulated over a dark and dreary winter have become a distant memory. Many families have spring cleaning rituals that allow them to efficiently clean their homes in a single weekend. But it’s just as important for spring cleaners to place as great an emphasis on the environment as they do on efficiency when cleaning a home. Eco-friendly spring cleaning practices produce less waste and rely on fewer chemicals to rejuvenate a home and get it ready for those seasons
when huddling inside under the covers takes a backseat to lounging around the house as fresh air washes into the home. The following are a handful of ways to efficiently clean a home while also protecting the environment.
• Clear out the clutter. Clutter is an enemy to homeowners and the environment alike. That’s because addressing clutter is often an inefficient process in which homeowners methodically go See CLEANING page 12
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Spring Home and Garden
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March 21, 2014
CLEANING From page 11
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through items that have accumulated over the years, individually choosing which items to keep and which items to discard. Clutter can also prove harmful to the environment because rooms filled with clutter tend to collect dust, reducing air quality and leading to more indoor air pollution that can prove harmful to human health. When sifting through clutter in a home, discard those items that have gone ignored for years, as they likely have little or no financial value and it’s safe to assume they serve no practical purpose as well. Once clutter has been cleared out, prevent more of it from accumulating by making a conscious effort to discard items once they no longer serve any practical purpose. This includes old newspapers and magazines, as well as any other items that are likely to sit in a pile or on a shelf for months on end. Preventing the buildup of clutter reduces the amount of time you need to spend spring cleaning next year while also
improving indoor air quality. • Use cleaners only when windows are open. Many people get a head start on spring cleaning in late winter, when the weather might have started to warm up but has not yet warmed to the point when windows throughout the home can be opened. Though there’s nothing wrong with starting early, avoid using cleaning products on days when you can’t open the windows. Many cleaning products contain ample or even just trace amounts of chemicals that can compromise indoor air quality and may exacerbate existing medical conditions like respiratory ailments. When using cleaning products, try to do so only when the windows are open and fresh air can enter the home. • Ensure appliances are working at peak efficiency. Spring cleaning is a great time to inspect appliances to make sure they are operating efficiently. Clean or replace filters on window air conditioning units. Dusty or dirty filters will force the air See CLEANING page 13
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Spring Home and Garden
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CLEANING From page 12
conditioner to work harder and use more energy to cool a room. In addition, dirty or dusty filters make units less efficient, which means rooms won’t cool as quickly on those scorching summer afternoons. Appliances forced to work harder also cost more money, and those costs can be considerable. When checking appliances, be sure to check the refrigerator as well. Refrigerators are plugged in all day long, and those
that are not operating at peak efficiency can cost you a lot of money in the long run. Periodically clean the coils on the back of your refrigerator so it can operate more efficiently, saving energy and money. Vacuum cleaners should also be inspected before each use to make sure reels are not covered in hair, which can make it nearly impossible for the machine to collect dirt and dust from the floors. • Use reusable cloths. Another way
to turn spring cleaning into a more eco-friendly affair is to forgo using paper towels in favor of reusable cloths. Reusable wash cloths can be just as effective at wiping down counters as paper towels, which require more and more trees to be cut down and eventually end up in landfills. If you are feeling especially eco-friendly, you can go the extra mile and create your own reusable cleaning cloths
out of old clothes or linens, saving you money and making use of items that might otherwise have been headed straight for a landfill. Spring cleaning can rejuvenate a home after a long winter. Emphasizing eco-friendly techniques when cleaning can ensure your home’s revival is as beneficial to the environment as it is to the home’s inhabitants.
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Spring Home and Garden
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Wait until the soil is ready to begin planting BY OCTAVIA LEHMAN olehman@kpcmedia.com
AUBURN — Auburn Master Gardener Joan Hursh warns that a crop of warm weather might mislead some to think it’s time for planting season. “Before people get too excited about warmer weather and begin planting, they need to slow down,” Hursh said. According to Hursh, the earliest date for frost free weather is May 15. Her advice is to wait and be patient with planting a garden this spring. Even if the weather is nice, Hursh said seeds need warm soil to germinate properly. Planters can start with colder weather crops such as lettuce, carrots and radishes. Though, Hursh suggests waiting until May to begin planting. “It’s a lot of work, if you have to worry about protecting your crops from freezing,” she said. Hursh serves as a Purdue Master Gardener in DeKalb County, in cooperation with the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. The Extension Service in each Indiana
county provides training through Purdue University to become licensed Master Gardeners. Those accepted into the program undergo a seven-week training program on horticultural topics, and take an exam. After earning their certifications, Master Gardeners share their gardening knowledge with the public through forums and special events. Hursh said their main goal is to educate the public on planting and using the right amount of chemicals in gardens. In DeKalb County, some of the Master Gardeners speak at an annual garden series in Auburn hosted in conjunction with the town’s park service. Hursh said a common misconception of Master Gardeners is that they will come out to plant a garden. “We give advice and education,” Hursh said. Each local Extension office has information on how to contact an area Master Gardener. For help with a basic gardening question, seek out help at area Extension See SOIL page 15
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SOIL
Spring Home and Garden
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Basic gardening tips
From page 14
ofďŹ ces: • DeKalb County — County OfďŹ ce Building, Suite 300, 215 E. 9th St., Auburn. 925-2562. • Steuben County — 317 S. Wayne St., Suite 1A, Angola. 668-1000, ext. 1400. • LaGrange County — 144 W. Michigan St., Suite 10, LaGrange. 499.6398. • Noble County — 2090 N. S.R. 9, Suite D, Albion. 636-2111. Purdue Extension also operates a large online, database of yard and garden news, with weekly columns at ag.purdue.edu/ agcomm/pages/newscolumns.aspx. The columns cover a variety of topics including insects, indoor plants, and how to prepare soil for spring planting.
• Be patient — Hursh said people need to wait until the soil is warm and dry to plant. Even if the weather appears nice for a few days, Hursh said it might not be good to plant. May 15 is the first early frost-free date. Hursh said she normally begins planting the second week of May. • Read labels carefully — “If a pesticide or herbicide says to use 2 tablespoons with a gallon of water, only use what it says,â€? Hursh cautions. “You should not use anymore than the recommend
amount. • Prepare for animals— For those who have trouble with wildlife such as deer or rabbits, they should be ready for those animals to come back at any time. Hursh said the best way to prevent wildlife from eating plants is to put up a fence. • Stay in Zone 5 — Perennials in the area are marked for Zone 6, but Hursh said with this year’s colder-than-average winter, it’s best to buy perennials for Zone 5.
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