1) Re-Think Credit Card Use

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Using a credit card for incidentals – coffee and a muffin or a $4 lunch – may not seem like much.

But, incidentals can quickly add up to a total that shocks cardholders when the bill arrives. Charging just one snack or lunch per day, five days a week for the four weeks in one billing cycle can add $80 or more to a credit card bill, said Carol Young, Kansas State University Research and Extension financial management specialist.

She advises setting aside a small sum in cash to cover incidental expenses each week.

“Save what’s left over at the end of the week,” she said. “Also, ask yourself: ‘How much can I save if I bring a thermos of coffee and fruit or a muffin from home? What can I do with the money saved? Put it toward a household improvement? Weekend getaway? Or add to savings for a family vacation?’”

Consumers who fail to save small amounts, such as extra change at the end of a week, are missing an opportunity, Young said. Saving consistently, even small amounts, can yield rewarding long-term results.

“Even the credit card industry is working to capture those small amounts,” she pointed out.

To save for larger goals, Young recommends tracking both cash and credit card expenses to help identify unnecessary purchases that erode financial health.

All local Kansas State University Research and Extension offices can offer a basic money management curriculum. Many of them also are emphasizing saving, spending and financial management strategies this year as part of Kansas Saves, a program connected to America Saves – an educational ‘“Save and Reduce Debt’” initiative sponsored by the Consumer Federation of America and other partners.

More information is available at any K-State Research and Extension office and on Kansas Extension’s Web site: www.oznet.ksu.edu.


 

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2) Landscape Answers: Wait to Prune Most Evergreens

Q: I know that spring is a big time for pruning shrubs, but does this also include evergreens?

A: For evergreen trees and shrubs both, the best time to prune is generally when they’re actively growing. That usually means any time from May through October.

Evergreens really slow down, but aren’t totally dormant during winter. That’s why they’re usually stressed by the time early spring arrives, so don’t welcome the additional stress of pruning.

Most experts recommend pruning needleleaf evergreens only to remove a problem limb or do some light shaping. Many needleleafs do not recover well, if at all, from severe pruning.

Even so, you can restrict growth and encourage dense growth in pines – including the mugos – if you pinch or snip off one-half to two-thirds of the year’s new candle-like outgrowths. Aim for late spring, when these buds are reaching full length and their new needles are beginning to grow.

To prune spruces, you can trim back last year’s growth (the 1-year-old shoots) to a lateral bud. If necessary, you also can shorten leaders to reduce open spaces or develop a more compact tree.

But, prune hemlocks and firs only to remove dead or diseased limbs or create a central top leader.

Junipers, arborvitae and yews are the only needleleaf evergreens that can handle more severe pruning. When that’s planned, pruning as early as mid-March through April can help with their recovery.

All three develop a central dead zone, but only the yews will develop new growth if that zone gets exposed to sunlight. Cutting into the zone on junipers and arborvitae will simply expose bare branches.

You can cut back the top on any of the three, however, so long as you leave some healthy, green foliage to initiate new growth and cover exposed areas. You can remove entire branches without harming these shrubs, too. With low-growing spreader types, removing just bottom branches often looks the best.

            - Source: Emily Nolting, landscape horticulturist, K-State Research and Extension


 

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3) Tips for Parents:  For Clean Room, Be Specific

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Children’s definition of “clean” is likely to be different from their parents’ definition, said Charlotte Shoup Olsen, Kansas State University Research and Extension family systems specialist.

“So, the next time you ask a child to clean his room, be specific,” Olsen advised. “Decide what’s bothering you the most – an unmade bed or dirty clothes on the floor, for example. Then, ask the child to tackle that job first.”

A child who knows exactly what a parent expects is also better able to complete the job, she said.

More information on managing marriage and family life is available at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices, as well as on Kansas Extension’s Web site: www.oznet.ksu.edu.


 

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4) Butterfly Garden Plans Can Start Now

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A butterfly garden is simply one that encourages butterflies to visit in summer by providing the basics those “fluttering flowers” need.

“The only problem in planning one is the fact that different butterfly species prefer different flowers as food,” said Ward Upham, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Gardeners who hope to attract a certain species usually have to do some study on the Web or in the library to learn the best plants to try. They may end up having to experiment a bit, too, Upham said.

Following the rules below, however, can help lure butterflies to any yard:

* Plant groups of the same plant variety together. Detecting a single plant is hard for butterflies.

* Choose a variety of plants with bloom times that vary by time of day, as well as time of year.

* Remember butterflies are cold-blooded. Plan for open areas where they can sun themselves on cool days and shaded zones where they can cool off when the sun is intense.

Upham recommends a simple way for gardeners to maintain a butterfly water supply, without creating a mosquito breeding site: Fill a bucket with gravel and bury it to the rim. As needed, add enough water, sugar water or sweet drinks so that butterflies can land on the gravel, yet also reach the liquid.

“If you’re not fussy about the species who visit, you can just aim for variety or plan your plantings from the lists of known butterfly favorites,” the horticulturist added. Those favorites include:

* Annuals - ageratum, cosmos, French marigold, petunia, verbena and zinnia.

* Early-blooming perennials and shrubs - allium, chive, forget-me-not and lilac.

* Mid-season perennials and shrubs - bee balm, butterfly bush, black-eyed Susan, buttonbush, butterfly weed, daisy, daylily, gaillardia, lavender, lily, mint, phlox, privet, sunflower and veronica.

* Later bloomers - aster, glossy abelia, and sedum.


 

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Note: A photo of a tractor safety training session is available by contacting Mary Lou
Peter-Blecha at mlpeter@ksu.edu.
 

5) Kansas Hazardous Occupations Training Sessions Scheduled

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansans can learn about the safe use of farm machinery this month.

Hazardous Occupations Training, sponsored by Kansas State University Research and Extension, is designed primarily to teach 14- and 15-year-olds about safely operating farm tractors and equipment. In recent years, however, adult interest in the training has been increasing, as well, said Kerri Ebert, with the K-State-based Agricultural Safety and Kansas AgrAbility Project.     

This year’s training sessions include:

*    March 6 and 17 - Sumner County. Contact Sumner County Extension at 620-326-7477;

*    March 12 and 15 - Lyon County. Call Lyon County Extension, 620-341-3220;

*    March 12 and 15 - Chase County. Call Chase County Extension, 620-273-6491;

*    March 12 and 15 - Morris County. Call Morris County Extension, 620-767-5136;

*    March 12 and 15 - Coffey County. Call Coffey County Extension 620-364-5313; and

*    March 28 and 31 - Post Rock District. Call Scott Chapman at the District Beloit office at 785-738-3597.

*    April 11 - Allen County. Call Allen County Extension at 620-365-2242

*    April 11 - Anderson County. Call Anderson County Extension at 785-448-6826.

Local Extension offices and the Extension Ag Safety Web site (www.oznet.ksu.edu/agsafety) will have information about sessions planned for later this spring, as well as on youth farm employment.

“Federal law requires safety training for youth ages 14 and 15 before they do ‘hazardous’ farm work for anyone other than a parent or legal guardian. The ramifications of hiring untrained youth this age include fines up to $10,000,” said Scott Chapman, agriculture and natural resources agent in the K-State Research and Extension Post Rock District. “But, safety training for farm workers is a good idea, regardless of age.”

Grandparents, uncles, aunts, siblings, good friends and family corporations do not qualify for the parental exemption, he said. Without the training, teens can’t do farm work for anyone other than a parent or guardian until age 16.