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YEAR ROUND GARDENING: Purchasing and planting tips for spring flowering …

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It’s time to plan, purchase and plant spring flowering bulbs.

Why

By March of each year, I am anxious for the gardening season to begin. The spring flowers produced by bulbs are a great way to brighten the garden and signal the imminent arrival of another growing season. Gardening catalogs are already announcing the availability of bulbs for spring bloom. Local garden centers are receiving supplies of bulbs. If you want early color, begin now to plan which bulbs you will plant to enhance your landscape.

The good news: Bulbs are easy to grow. Crocus, grape hyacinth, daffodils and tulips are some of the most popular bulbs. If deer and squirrels are an issue, daffodils are a recommended choice over tulips. Daffodils also naturalize well, meaning they endure and proliferate, creating more plants.

When

Plan now and shop soon. You will find the best selection of bulbs beginning in early September.

How

– Determine where you will plant the bulbs. Consider visibility, soil type and microclimate. Because most bulbs bloom early, they can be seen in parts of the garden that will later be hidden as perennials and annuals grow. Bulbs require good drainage: Avoid heavy, wet soils. Sandy soils with southern exposure will warm early, yielding the first leaves. In Colorado, late frosts can nip leaves that emerge too soon. To avoid this, consider planting in shaded soils on the north.

– After determining a location, select which bulbs and how many to purchase. Groupings of 20 to 30 or more bulbs will provide a spectacular display. I recommend you do some Internet research on bulb varieties and bulb design before you make a final plan. The University of Illinois Extension provides bulb design basics at http://urbanext.
illinois.edu/bulbs/landscaping.cfm.

Lastly, plant bulbs that flower at different times to ensure you have color for a longer period of time. You might use different species or different varieties of the same species.

– There is a direct correlation between the size of the bulb and the size of the flower: The larger bulbs will produce larger flowers. Do not purchase bulbs that have been cut or bruised or have soft spots. Damaged bulbs can rot once they are planted.

– September and October are the best months for planting bulbs. Consult a bulb planting chart to determine the correct depth for planting. Purdue University provides an easy-to-read chart at www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ho-86.pdf. The bulb is planted with the growing tip facing upward and the root plate facing downward.

– Phosphorus fertilizer may be incorporated at the time of planting and will promote rooting and larger blooms in subsequent years. Typical Colorado soils are sufficiently high in phosphorus, making application at planting not a necessity.

– After planting the bulbs, lightly tamp the soil and water thoroughly. When the ground freezes, cover the area with several inches of mulch. This will help to eliminate alternate freezing and thawing of the soil, which can damage the bulbs. The mulch may be removed in early spring or when the shoots start to emerge.

– Do not leave any remnants of the bulb material (e.g., the papery husk) in and around the planting area. Squirrels will readily find the material and start digging your newly planted bulbs.

|

What’s needed

– Your finalized bulb selections and design plan.

– Good quality bulbs.

– A bulb planter, shovel or sturdy, long trowel..

– Organic matter for amending the soil.

– Phosphorus fertilizer if you wish to fertilize when planting the bulbs.

– Mulch.

–

Get answers to you horticultural questions by calling a master gardener volunteer at 520-7684 or emailing CSUmg2@elpasoco.com. Volunteers are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Filed Under: gardening tips

Tips for September gardening

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Tips for September:

“I didn’t get to sow grass seed at the beginning of September. Is it too late now?� Nope! Have at it! The sooner the better, but you still have time. Make sure to add a starter fertilizer, and keep the soil evenly moist for those new seeds (not soggy wet).

“Should I apply a crabgrass killer now and seed later?� NO! Frost will take out the annual crabgrass. Slice seed right thru it and get that new grass growing. A thicker lawn, plus the crab grass pre emergent applied next spring are your two best defenses against crabgrass (and most other weeds).

“When can I start digging and dividing my perennials this fall?� Late September thru October is a wonderful time to dig and divide perennials. And for those ‘woody’ plants (trees and shrubs), if transplanting is needed, starting in October thru early November works great. Remember, FALL IS FOR PLANTING, so get out and plant those new trees, shrubs, evergreens, perennials, roses, grasses, etc.

“What are the large shrubs I’m seeing around town, that look like crepe myrtle, that are in flower? I don’t thing they’re crepe myrtle, because they’re not hardy here, are they?� -Well, those are crepe myrtles, and you’re seeing more and more being planted in our landscapes. Many are hardy to zone 6, we’re Zone 6, so they’re doing quite well! And now’s a great time to plant them if you would like one or two in your yard! And yes, Natorp’s has them! (Even if they did die back in the winter, they’ll come right back up from the roots, and flower on the new growth.)

“This year, my junipers have developed berries. I have kids and pets and was wondering if those berries were poisonous?� -Well, let’s just say it’s probably best if the kids and pets don’t eat them. They are bitter and not very palatable, but never the less, shouldn’t be eaten. Now, juniper berries are actually used for many things, and have been for centuries, including aromatherapy, soaps, food flavoring, and of course, the flavoring for Gin. But it’s also used as a diuretic, and eating the berries will cause severe increases in urinating, diarrhea, and intestinal pain. So, show the kids what they are, and tell them to look but don’t eat. On that same token, some Taxus (Japanese yews) will also produce berries that are a bright red and very fleshy. Do not eat these berries. The fleshy fruit on the outside actually is edible, but the seed on the inside is highly poisonous. Birds can eat them and be okay, as they do not crush the seed and it passes through them. But, it’s not the same story for others. Do not eat the berries from Japanese yews!

“I have ornamental sweet potato vines, and want to know, are the potatoes in the ground edible?� -As long as they haven’t been treated with non edible pesticides, have at them! Not much flavor, but highly edible. Handle them carefully – they are very thin skinned.
“Should I be adjusting my mower heights in the fall?� -Nope, keep mowing as you normally would. Do be sure to have those mower blades sharpened as we move into the fall mowing season.

“Should I pinch off the blossoms now appearing on my tomato plants?� -Yes, you can. It’s too late for those to produce tomatoes, so pinching them off sends more nutrients to the existing plant and remaining fruits. Or should I say vegetables? Remember, botanically they’re fruits, but by lawn they’re vegetables.
“This year we had serious issues with boxwood leafminers and boxwood psyllids. When did you say apply the systemic soil drench to help control them?� -Mid October. Use either Bonides Tree and Shrub Insect Control or Optrol. This helps control the 3’rd and 4th instar larvae stages of the leafminers, as well as the psyllids next spring.

“When did you say is the best time to spot treat for broadleaf weeds in our lawn? We’re trying to get rid of Creeping Charlie.� -Mid to late October. At this time, the weeds are still active, yet are beginning to shut down for the winter – and they’re pushing all the foods down into the roots. So when you spot treat in October, you’ll get better action from the weed killer as more of it is taken right down to the roots and wipes out the weed, roots and all. You may have to spot treat a little for Charlie in the spring, but October treatments are the best. Bonide’s Weed Beater Ultra works nicely. Remember – a thicker lawn means less Creeping Charlie and those other pesky weeds, so work to keep that lawn thicker and fuller. Weeds don’t choke out the grass – weeds move in where the grass is thinning out.

“We bought a few container grown trees from your outlet sale and when I pulled one out of the pot, I noticed the roots are thick on the outside of the root ball. Did I understand we need to loosen those up somehow? If so, how?� -Yes, if the roots are thick along the inside of the pot and growing in a circle, it’s important to massage those roots loose so they will grow outward rather than in a circle. And this goes for any container grown plant! Sometimes you can massage them loose, but sometimes you have to use a soil knife or sharp spade and cut them a bit to loosen them up.

“Does deadheading my mums as the flowers become spent help to produce more flowers for the fall?� -Unfortunately it won’t increase flowers for the fall, as the flower buds are all set at the same time. But, it does clear the way for the flower buds to have more sunlight and more room to open up fully – and deadheading mums keeps them looking a little nicer as well. By the way, to be more successful in getting your mums to come back next year, 1.) Get them planted as soon as you can to give them time to get rooted in before winter, and keep them watered as needed 2.) Deadhead the spent flowers so the plant will concentrate on putting energy into the roots rather than those old flowers 3.) Don’t cut them back at the end of the season. Studies in colder temperatures have found that leaving your mum’s dead foliage alone over the winter, and then cutting it back in the early spring, may actually help to improve its winter hardiness. 4.) Do a light winter mulching after the ground freezes. 5.) Make sure they’re watered as needed until the end of the year.

“We’re planting new trees in our yard, and we do have deer in the area. Anything we should to help protect these trees?� -YES! A newly planted tree becomes a scratching post to those bucks rubbing their antlers. Protect your new investments with tree guards, tree wrap, bark shields, plastic sleeves, as well as the additional use of deer repellents such as Liquid Fence, DeerScram, Repels All, or Milorganite. Keep those protectors on the new tree trunks over the entire winter, and remove them late next spring.

“Hey Buggy Joe (Joe Boggs / OSU Extension), what ‘cha seeing this week?� This week we’re seeing an unexplained leaf scorch on Red Oaks, more and more oak galls showing up (very common), moth and butterfly caterpillars seem to be everywhere right now including Tussock moths, Wooly Bears (always seen crossing the road), Hickory Horn devils, Cecropia moths, hornworns, Spicebush Swallowtail, Skiff moth, and many more (let them be, by the way), annual Dog Day Cicadas continue to sing and hang around, bagworms have stopped feeding and are now mating and laying eggs for next year, yellowjackets becoming more of a nuisance, home invaders starting to make their moves for warmer over wintering spots, and damages from grubs in the lawns are starting to show now.

 

 

Filed Under: gardening tips

Indoor Plant Tips For Gardeners

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When you are left with no choice but to grow your favourite plants indoor, you need to follow mandatory gardening tips so that you grow luscious plants. Indoor plants are at times a challenge for a gardener because it lacks a certain amount of natural substance when compared to a normal garden.

But we do live in a concrete world, where buildings seem to accommodate the garden area, therefore, not giving you too much of a choice to make.

One would find a lot of buildings everywhere, and in these buildings you are sure to find a thin line of greenery amidst the sand and bricks. But, this is not enough for those who love the smell of fresh flowers and leaves when they wake up every morning. Gardening is an exercise which is religiously followed by a lot of people today although they do not find the time for other things!

Indoor Plant Tips For Gardeners

If you have an indoor garden, you should make a note of these eco-friendly ideas to care for your green friends. Indoor garden is quite a challenge, so we offer you these gardening tips.

Lighting

All plants need sufficient natural light to grow. But for an indoor garden, fluorescent lights is just about enough. But, keep in mind during a damp and gloomy weather, expose the indoor plant to a spot where there is some amount of sunlight.

Humidity

All plants need some amount of humidity for them to grow well. For an indoor garden, humidity is quite the worry because at times there will be an increase of it which is not good. If you need to raise the humidity, place pebbles in the pot tray and raise your pot by filling in a good amount of water.

Climate change

One of the main problems with an indoor plant is the climate change. However, you can battle this problem by placing the plant in your home according to the temperature of the room. Important – Never place indoor plants close to an air conditioner or a heater.

Attention to their growth

Before you place an indoor plant in your living room, you need to do a small research on the type of plant which will suit your room. More importantly, you need to be aware of how high the plant will grow. Depending on the approximate height, you can place the plant. One one hand, if your plant is stunted and not growing, this is another worry, so pay attention to its growth.

Overdose of love

If you are that type of a gardener who is over-protective of the growing plants, it is surely going to die well in advance than its usual date. Yes, house plants needs that care and love, but too much of it can be of a real issue.

Pest control

Due to the lack of direct sunlight on the house plant, you might be inviting insects and pests to thrive on your plant. At any cost, you should not allow this to happen. Gently apply only a small amount of natural pesticide protection over the plant to protect it.

These are some of the gardening tips you should keep in mind when you have indoor plants. Your house plants need that extra attention since it lacks natural ways to help it grow, for example direct sunlight.

Filed Under: gardening tips

Gardening tips, concerts, plays: Oregon City and Canby events

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OREGON CITY

Pioneer Community Choir:  The group enjoys singing popular
standards with a few serious choral numbers for variety. Open to new
singers through Oct. 11. Rehearsals weekly 10 a.m.-noon Fri, Sept.
6-Nov. 8; with performances Nov. 15-Dec. 13. Pioneer Community
Center, 615 Fifth St., Oregon City; $30 dues for fall term; Melinda Beyers, 503-381-9827 or melindabeyers@comcast.net
 

Family Story Time Hour: All ages invited to pursue new
adventures with story-teller Missy. Weekly 11 a.m. Fri. Oregon City
Public Library, 606 John Adams St., Oregon City; free; www.orcity.org/library or 503-657-8269

brooksrobertson.jpgView full sizeBrooks Robertson performs Sept. 19 at the library.Aaron Almquist
Concert: Features finger-style guitar player, Brooks
Robertson. 7 p.m. Thu, Sept. 19. Oregon City Public Library, 606 John
Adams St., Oregon City; free; www.orcity.org/library or 503-657-8269

Healing Garden Gala:
Children’s Center will host its second annual Healing Garden Gala on
Thursday, Sept. 19, at the clinic at 1713 Penn Lane in Oregon City. This
premier Clackamas County event allows community members throughout the
region to unite on behalf of abused and neglected children.

A
reception and open house style tours will begin at 6 p.m. and will
feature heavy appetizers and a hosted bar. Beginning at 7:30 p.m.,
guests will enjoy a live program with speaker Jessica Farmer, volunteer
and community advocate, and special guest Steve Dunn of KATU Channel 2
News.

Presenting sponsor is Airstream Adventures Northwest, and
gold sponsors include Warn Employee Community Impact Project and NW
Natural.

Tickets cost $100 each and tables of 10 are available
for $1,000. Receipt of RSVP and payment by Sept. 5 ensures your seat at
this event. Register online at www.childrenscenter.cc

 If you
would like to attend the gala or support the event as a sponsor, contact
Shauna Lugar at 503-655-7725 or shauna@childrenscenter.cc.

— Barbara Peschiera, executive director, Children’s Center

********************************************************************
 

POMC_Memorial_Garden.09-09-13.jpgView full sizeThe
Oregon/Washington Memorial Garden is the eighth memorial for the
National Organization for Parents of Murdered Children in the United
States and is the only one in the northwest.City of Oregon City
Memorial:
Oregon City and the Greater Portland Area Chapter of Parents of
Murdered Children are proud to announce the completion of the
Oregon/Washington Memorial Garden located in Mountain View Cemetery.
This is the eighth memorial for the National Organization for Parents of
Murdered Children in the United States and is the only one in the
Northwest. It will be a beautiful place for anyone who has lost a loved
one or child due to homicide.

Parents of Murdered Children
invites all interested parties to attend the dedication of the
Oregon/Washington Memorial Wall and the National Day of Remembrance for
Murder Victims.

murdered.jpgView full sizeThese
murder victims and others will be remembered in a special ceremony
hosted by the Greater Portland Area Chapter of Parents of Murdered
Children Sept. 25 in the Mountain View Cemetery.City of Oregon City

This special event will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 25 in Mountain View Cemetery, 500 Hilda St., Oregon City.

After
the dedication ceremony, lunch will be hosted by Beavercreek
Cooperative Telephone and the Greater Portland Area Chapter of Parents
of Murdered Children Inc.

–Scott Archer, Oregon City community services director

*********************************************************************
 

68 tucker snocat.JPGView full size1968 Tucker Sno-CatCourtesy of Clackamas County Historical Society
Mount Hood Exploration:
This summer when Lake Oswego writer Jon Bell came upon a 1968 Tucker
Sno-Cat at the city’s antique car show, he was enthralled to find an
out-of-season relic of Mount Hood’s past so far below its snowy grooms.

Bell
presents tales and images illustrating Mount Hood’s history in a free
evening program at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Museum of the Oregon Territory
in Oregon City.

Bell is the author of “On Mt. Hood, A Biography
of Oregon’s Perilous Peak.” Like his 2011 biography of Mount Hood, Bell
is steeped in every aspect of the mountain, from its influence on the
development of snow-moving technology to its rich geological and
cultural history. He applies himself to exploring its facets both as a
mountain climber and a historian.

bell on hood.jpgView full sizeAuthor Jon Bell on Mount Hood.Courtesy of Clackamas County Historical Society

The
free program is recommended for all ages, and takes place at Clackamas
County Historical Society, 211 Tumwater Drive, Oregon City. More
information: 503-655-5574 or www.clackamashistory.org.

–Roxandra E. Pennington, Clackamas County Historical Society

********************************************************************
 
Playbill:
Clackamas Repertory Theatre concludes its ninth season with “The 39
Steps,” a madcap farce adapted by Patrick Barlow from John Buchan’s
novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film.

REPPIC.JPGView full sizeJayson
Shanafelt (from left), Jayne Stevens, James Sharinghousen and Travis
Nodurft in the Clackamas Repertory Theatre’s production of “39 Steps.”Clackamas County Repertory Theatre
Barlow
turned “The 39 Steps” into a farce by having four actors play all of
the 151 characters in Hitchcock’s thriller. One actor plays the hero who
is unexpectedly thrust into a deadly game of espionage and the lone
actress plays three characters, leaving the remaining two actors, Clown 1
and Clown 2 to represent a 147 characters, a variety of heroes,
villains, men, women, children and the occasional inanimate object.

Pre-show
lectures, “Hitchcock Talk,” with Ernie Casciato, take place an hour
before performances every Saturday and two Sundays, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
at 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19-Oct. 6, in the Osterman
Theatre at Clackamas Community College. Tickets range from $12-$26 and
may be purchased at clackamasrep.org or by calling 503-594-6047. The
low-price preview is Sept. 19.

–Clackamas Repertory Theatre

*********************************************************************
 

New Student Experience Orientation: Designed to help first
time students get acquainted with the campus, connect with faculty and
current students, learn about academic programs and extracurricular
activities, and become familiar with critical resources to be a
successful student. Free pizza lunch. Participants can earn one free,
transferable credit (register through myClackamas at www.clackamas.edu
for CRN# 24302). 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri, Sept. 20. Randall Gymnasium,
Clackamas Community College, 19600 S. Molalla Ave., Oregon City; free;
admissions and recruitment office, 503-594-3284 or
outreach@clackamas.edu

Social Media Mondays: Trevor Dodge, a Clackamas Community
College instructor, will lead a discussion on Pinterest. If you have a
laptop or other digital device which you’d like to practice on, bring
it. 7 p.m. Mon, Oct. 7. Oregon City Public Library, 606 John Adams St.,
Oregon City; free; www.orcity.org/library or 503-657-8269

Fire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness: Clackamas Fire
District #1 will be onsite providing education on fire safety and
prevention in observation of National Fire Prevention Awareness Week.
9-10:30 a.m. Tue, Oct. 8. Pioneer Community Center, 615 Fifth St.,
Oregon City; free; 503-657-8287

Willamette Falls Festival: Hosted by
the Willamette Falls Heritage Area Coalition, the event celebrates the
area’s heritage, culture and outdoor recreational opportunities through
activities that include a We Love Clean Rivers Benefit Dinner,
fireworks, live music, artisan farmers market, tribal cultural
demonstrations, a fun-athlon with a 5K fun run, paddle and bike events,
Plein Air artists and RiPPLe Artist demonstrations, a heritage parade,
jetboat rides, industry tours, heritage trail tours, and Geocaching.
Proceeds benefit We Love Clean Rivers. 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sat, Oct. 5; 8
a.m.-1 p.m. Sun, Oct. 6. Clackamette Park, 1955 Clackamette Drive,
Oregon City; free; www.WillametteFallsFestival.com


apples.JPGView full size The Associated Press/2009
Food Preservation Classes: The Extension
Service is offering a variety of food preservation classes this summer. The
classes are staffed by experienced volunteers who provide instruction and hands-on
opportunities for participants to practice safe food preservation techniques
and build self-confidence and skills.

The schedule continues with:

  • Tuesday,
    Oct. 8, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: All About Apples
  • Saturday,
    Nov. 9, 9 a.m.to noon: Introduction to Pressure Canning

Preregistration
is required. Cost is $30 per class, with the exception of the Fermented Pickles
classes, which are $35 each. Fee includes instructional packet, recipes, and
sample product to take home. The classes will be held at the OSU
Extension annex, 200 Warner Milne Road in Oregon City. To register and for other information, call 503-655-8634
or visit http://extension.oregonstate.edu/clackamas/.
 

ellen whyte promo color LGjpg.jpgView full sizeEllen Whyte

60th Eastside Birthday Bash: Features the Ellen Whyte Plus
Sized Band. 9 p.m. Sat, Oct. 19. Trails End Saloon, 1310 Main St.,
Oregon City; $10 cover charge; www.ellenwhyte.com/‎ or Ellen Whyte at amallegory@aol.com
Medicare 101 Presentation: Certified SHIBA counselors will
give an extensive overview of Medicare and the most recent changes.
Questions encouraged. 2-4 p.m. Mon, Oct. 21. Pioneer Community Center,
615 Fifth St., Oregon City; free; 503-657-8287

*********************************************************************

haggart2.jpgView full sizeCheck out the sky at the Haggart Observatory located in Clackamas Community College.

Sky Viewings: The Rose City Astronomers is offering monthly public sky viewings at the Haggart Observatory at Clackamas Community College.

The
free viewings begin around sunset and continue until about 11 p.m.,
weather permitting, on the following Saturdays: Oct. 26, Nov. 30 and Dec. 28.

The Haggart
Observatory, located at the Environmental Learning Center, offers views
of the night skies through 24-inch and 13-inch Newtonian reflector
telescopes. Viewings are free during the astronomy club’s Public Nights.

Space in the observatory is limited, and viewers may at times
have to wait to look through the telescope. If the weather is uncertain
during the day of the event, call 503-594-6044 after 3 p.m. for a
recorded message announcing if the viewing will be held or canceled.

For more information, contact Diana Fredlund, Rose City Astronomers media director, at media@rosecityastronomers.

Ongoing

End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (Oregon City)
and Oregon City Visitor Information Center at 1726
Washington St. is open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily from Sept. 3-30; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu-Mon (closed Tue-Wed) from Oct. 1-May 31.

Admission: $9/adults, $7/seniors, $5/children ages 4-17
(children 3 under are free, as well as military personnel)

For information on new
education programs, exhibits and events, school/group reservations, volunteer
opportunities and more, visit www.historicoregoncity.org

Clackamas Mineral and Gem Club Meeting: Visitors welcome.
Monthly 7-9 p.m. third Tue. Zion Lutheran Church basement, 720
Jefferson St., Oregon City; $12 annual dues, or $15 family, plus
optional $10 newsletter subscription; www.clackamettegem.org or Bea Settle, 503-631-3128
tracy.jpgView full sizeTracy
Hill (right), coordinator for the McLoughlin Memorial Association,
gives a bobbin lace demonstration at the McLoughlin House. Victorian
handcraft demonstrations are offered from noon to 4 p.m. on the second
Saturday of each month, except for December and January, at the museum
at 713 Center St. in Oregon City.Heidi Pierson
Victorian Handcraft Demonstrations:
Visit the website for theme. Monthly noon-4 p.m. second Saturday.
McLoughlin House, 713 Center St., Oregon City; free;
www.mcloughlinhouse.org or 503-656-5146

 
Oregon City Saturday Farmers Market:
Farmers and vendors
sell local produce, flowers, plants, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, bread,
pastries, nuts, honey preserves, hummus, soaps, lotions, wood crafts,
and hot and cold food and drinks. Features live music, cooking
demonstrations and a Kids Power of Produce Club. Debit, SNAP and WIC
accepted. Weekly 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat, through Oct. 26. Clackamas County
Public Services Building, Parking Lot, 2051 Kaen Road, Oregon
City; free admission; www.orcityfarmersmarket.com or Jackie
Hammond-Williams, 503-734-0192, or marketmanager@orcityfarmersmarket.com

ocspringflow.jpgView full size

For teens:

Teen Wii Night: Grades
6-12 invited to play a Wii game and eat free snacks. 6:30-8
p.m. Thu, Sept. 5 and Nov. 7. Oregon City Public Library, 606 John Adams St., Oregon
City; free; www.orcity.org/library or 503-657-8269

For adults:

Beginning Line Dancing: Learn
the basics and simple dances. No partner needed. Weekly 1-2 p.m. Mon.
Pioneer Community Center, 615 Fifth St.; 50 cents per class;
503-657-8287

Busy Bees: Have fun making crafts, sewing
quilts and aprons, and creating other items for fundraisers. Weekly 9
a.m.-noon Mon. Pioneer Community Center, 615 Fifth St.; free;
503-657-8287

Intermediate Line Dancing: Learn the latest and traditional steps. No partner needed. Weekly noon-3 p.m. Tue. Pioneer Community Center, 615 Fifth St.; 50 cents per class; 503-657-8287

Dance Lessons:
The Bachelors ‘N’ Bachelorettes Square and Round Dance Club offers
lessons weekly 7-9 p.m. Tue. The club for singles and couples also hosts
dances weekly 7:30-10:30 p.m. Wed. Abernethy Grange, 15745 S. Harley
Ave.; $5 per lesson (first lesson free); http://bnbsquares.org or Gene
or Patricia Neils, 503-829-8529

Knitting and Crocheting:
Learn basic stitches and share tips. Bring your own needles and yarn.
Registration required. Weekly 10 a.m.-noon Wed. Pioneer Community
Center, 615 Fifth St.; $20 for four sessions; Janice Tipton,
503-829-8031

Chrysalis: Women Writers: Local author Pat Lichen guides women writers of all levels
through discussions of their work. Weekly noon-2 p.m. Wed. Clackamas
Community College, Literary Arts Center, Rook Hall, Room 220, 19600 S.
Molalla Ave.; free; 503-594-3254

Support

Clackamas County Chapter of Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG): Visitors welcome. Monthly 7-9 p.m. fourth Tue. Atkinson Memorial Church, 710 Sixth St., Oregon City; free; 503-887-4556

CASA 101 Volunteer Orientation:
Child Advocates, Inc. is recruiting volunteers to serve as Court
Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for foster children. Informational
meetings offered monthly 6-7 p.m. first Wed. Mt. View Professional
Building, Suite 203, 101 Molalla Ave., Oregon City; free;
www.casa-cc.org or Linda Rinnan, CASA manager, 503-723-0521 or
lrinnan@casa-cc.org

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group:
Share feelings, thoughts and experiences to better cope with and manage
the shared problems of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Monthly
1-3 p.m. the second Thu, except Nov. 22. Pioneer Community Center, 615
Fifth St., Oregon City; free; Diana Miha, 503-317-2245 or
dhm@pdxarttherapy.com

Grief Support Group: The Bristol Hospice “Build a Bridge of Hope”
support group, facilitated by Joanne Petrie, a chaplain, is a chance
for people to share feelings and receive support from others who are
experiencing grief. Contact Bristol Hospice volunteer Marilyn Fergus,
fergusfamily@gmail.com, for more information. Monthly 1:30-3 p.m. the
second and fourth Thu. Pioneer Community Center, 615 Fifth St.,
Oregon City; free

National Alliance on Mental Illness Connection Group:
A recovery support group just for persons with mental illness
regardless of their diagnosis. Meetings offer a flexible and casual
environment without an educational format, and no registration or
enrollment obligation is required. Weekly noon-1:30 p.m. Wed. Stewart
Community Center, 1002 Library Court, Room 15, Oregon City;
www.nami.org/sites/nami:clackamascounty or
503-344-5050 or nami.clackamas@gmail.com

CANBY

planting-seeds.JPGView full sizeLearn the fundamentals of saving seeks in a class Nov. 19 at the Canby Library. The Oregonian/2009
Master Gardener series: Are you new to gardening or an experienced hand?

The
following workshops at the Canby Public Library have something to offer for everyone:

  • Tuesday,
    Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. –
    Fall maintenance in the garden.
    Fall is a good time to add new plantings, move or transplant shrubs and
    perennials, and mulch your garden.
  • Tuesday,
    Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. –
    Fall and winter gardening.
    Learn how to extend the growing season, and to enjoy fresh vegetables all
    year long. See which vegetables will grow and produce during fall and
    winter.
  • Tuesday,
    Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
    – Seed saving. Learn the
    fundamentals of saving seeds. Once you are familiar with these concepts
    you can easily and successfully save just about any seed you want.

Participants may come to one or all workshops free of
charge. Classes are presented by OSU Master Gardener volunteers of Clackamas
County.  The library is at 292 N. Holly St. For more information, call 503-266-3394 or visit www.canbylibrary.org

Saturday Game Day: Games and activities for families. 2 p.m. Sat,
Sept. 21. Canby Public Library, 292 N. Holly St., Canby; free;
www.canbylibrary.org or 503-266-3394

josefgrape.jpgView full sizeSt. Josef’s Estates and Winery
Grape-stomping Festival: The 31st annual event features
grape-stomping contests, food and music by the Original Donaumusikanten,
an eight-piece German band from Bavaria. Noon-6 p.m. Sat-Sun, Sept.
21-22. St. Josef’s Estate Vineyard Winery, 28836 S. Barlow Road,
Canby; $10, includes souvenir glass and tasting; www.stjosefswinery.com or 503-651-3190
History Book Group: Read and then discuss “A People’s
History of the Supreme Court: The Men and Women Whose Cases and
Decisions Have Shaped Our Constitution” by Peter Irons. 4 p.m. Wed,
Sept. 25. Canby Public Library, 292 N. Holly St., Canby; free; www.canbylibrary.org or 503-266-3394

CaseyMacGill.jpgView full sizeThe Casey MacGill Trio performs Sept. 26 in Canby.Brian Massengale

Concert: Decades of music collide as multi-instrumentalist
and vocalist Casey MacGill leads his trio in a program of classic
American swing and popular songs. Hosted by Live On Stage, Inc., and the
Canby Community Concert Association. 7:30 p.m. Thu, Sept. 26. Richard
R. Brown Fine Arts Center, 721 S.W. Fourth Ave., Canby; $25, or $20 in
advance for ages 14 and older; free to others; www.canbycommunityconcert.org or Diane Brown, 503-266-9574

Family Night: Music by Grupo Condor. 6:30 p.m. Thu, Sept. 26.
Canby Public Library, 292 N. Holly St., Canby; free;
www.canbylibrary.org or 503-266-3394GupoCondorPromo2011.jpgView full sizeGrupo Condor performs Sept. 26 at the Canby Public Library.Courtesy of Grupo Condor

“Catch the Wave”: Cascade Harmony
Chorus performs in preparation for an international competition in
Hawaii in November. 7:30 p.m. Sat, Sept. 28. Richard R. Brown Fine Arts
Center, 721 S.W. Fourth Ave., Canby; $28 general; app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=chc01 or 503-266-7464

Mark_Allen_Cunningham.jpgView full sizeMark Cunningham
Conversation Project: Join Mark Cunningham for a
thoughtful conversation about the future of reading in “From Print to
Pixels: The Act of Reading in the Digital Age.” 6 p.m. Tue, Oct. 1.
Canby Public Library, 292 N. Holly St., Canby; free; www.canbylibrary.org or 503-266-3394

Support

Grief Release: Hosted by Bristol Hospice, the course
encourages unhurried healing to bring life back into focus from the blur
of pain, confusion and bewilderment caused by loss. Provides practical
step-by-step support as a road to restoration. First class is mandatory.
Weekly 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wed, Oct. 2-9.
Country Side Living, 390 N.W. Second Ave., Canby; free; Joanne Petrie,
503-698-8911

Ongoing 

Canby Saturday Market: Vendors sell produce, flowers,
plants, food, and arts and crafts. Weekly 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat, through Oct.
27. Canby Cinema 8 parking lot, 252 N.E.
Second Ave., Canby; free admission; www.canbysaturdaymarket.com or 503-680-5088 or canbysaturdaymarket@canby.com
radishes.JPGView full sizeThe Oregonian

Bridge Games:
Card game for senior citizens. Weekly 1 p.m. Mon, except holidays. Canby Adult Center,
1250 S. Ivy St., Canby; free; www.canbyadultcenter.org or 503-266-2970

Line Dancing for Beginners:
Wanda Matlock teaches senior citizens the basics. Partner not required.
Weekly 1-2 p.m. Mon, except holidays. Canby Adult Center, 1250 S. Ivy St., Canby; free,
but donations appreciated; www.canbyadultcenter.org or 503-266-2970

Line Dancing:
Wanda Matlock teaches senior citizens some advanced steps. Partner not
required. Weekly 1-2 p.m. Tue and Thu. Canby Adult Center, 1250 S. Ivy
St., Canby; free, but donations appreciated; www.canbyadultcenter.org or
503-266-2970

Language
Exchange:
Practice English or Spanish and help other learners in a friendly atmosphere.
Weekly 10:30 a.m. Mon (except Sept. 2 and Nov. 11). Canby Public Library, 292
N. Holly St., Canby; free; www.canbylibrary.org or 503-266-3394

Tuesday Evening Dinner: Senior citizens can
make new friends while eating a free dinner. Weekly 5-7 p.m. Tue. Zoar
Lutheran Church, 190 S.W. Second Ave., Canby; free; www.zoarlutheran.org
or 503-266-4061

Canby First Friday: Monthly 5-8 p.m.
first Friday. Join participating merchants in downtown Canby for
family-friendly activities, dining, wine and shopping discounts.

Handiwork Group: Senior
citizens socialize while producing craft projects. Weekly 10 a.m. Tue.
Canby Adult Center, 1250 S. Ivy St., Canby; free; bring your own project
supplies; www.canbyadultcenter.org or 503-266-2970

Pinochle: Card
game for senior citizens. Weekly 1 p.m. Tue and Fri. Canby Adult
Center, 1250 S. Ivy St., Canby; free; www.canbyadultcenter.org or
503-266-2970
Yoga Fitness: Erin Hancock teaches the class for senior
citizens. Weekly 1:15 p.m. Wed. Canby Adult Center, 1250 S. Ivy St.,
Canby; free, but donations appreciated; www.canbyadultcenter.org or
503-266-2970

spiced-popcorn.JPGView full sizeBeth Nakamura/The Oregonian
Wednesday Afternoon at the Movies: Adults
invited to snack on free popcorn and tea while watching a movie. Visit
website for titles. Weekly 1 p.m. Wed. Canby Adult Center, 1250 S. Ivy
St., Canby; free; www.canbyadultcenter.org or 503-266-2970

Civic

For information, visit www.ci.canby.or.us or call 503-266-4021.

*Canby
Planning Commission: Monthly 7 p.m. second and fourth Monday in Canby
City HallDevelopment Services Office, Council Chambers, 155 N.W. Second
Ave.

*Canby City Council: Monthly 7:30 p.m. first and third
Wednesday in Canby Development Services Office, Council Chambers, 155
N.W. Second Ave.

*Urban Renewal Agency: Monthly 6 p.m. second
Wednesday in Canby Development Services Office, Council Chambers, 155
N.W. Second Ave.

*Canby Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: Monthly 7 p.m. third Tuesday in Canby City Hall, Conference Room, 182 N. Holly St.

Clubs

Kiwanis Club of Canby:
Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization of individuals who want to
improve their communities. Weekly noon-1 p.m. Mon, except holidays. Old Town Hall,
Cutsforth’s Thriftway, 225 N.E. Second Ave., Canby; $7-$10 for lunch;
www.canbykiwanis.org or Nancy Murphy, 503-266-6048

Rotary Club of Canby:
Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business,
professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as
Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical
standards in all vocations and help build goodwill around the world.
Weekly 11:45 a.m. Fri. Old Town Hall, Cutsforth’s Thriftway, 225 N.E.
Second Ave., Canby; no-host lunch; www.canbyrotary.com

Canby Chamber of Commerce: Network
while eating lunch. Reservations recommended. Monthly 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
first Tue. Old Town Hall, Cutsforth’s Thriftway, 225 N.E. Second Ave.,
Canby; $12-$15; Canby Chamber of Commerce, 503-266-4600 or by email to
chamber@canby.com

Filed Under: gardening tips

Tips for collecting your own seeds for next year

by Leave a Comment

September finds me saving seeds of some of this year’s best peppers and flowers to plant in next year’s garden.

Why?

Saving my own seeds from year to year gives me a bit of independence from seed companies, which may stop offering certain varieties. It’s also a way to maintain an annual supply of seeds that seed companies never offer, such as some so-called heirloom varieties handed down for generations.

And with a packet often costing more than $3, saving seeds is also economical.

This year, for example, I grew a tomato plant from seeds a friend gave me. Where did my friend get them? From another friend.

Avoid hybrids for saving seeds

Heirloom seeds are from plants whose flowers self-pollinate. Some varieties of vegetables and flowers may not have been around long enough to be called “heirlooms,” but still might be from self-pollinating plants.

Hybrid seeds, in contrast, are produced when the pollen of one selected plant is made to fertilize another selected plant. Hybrid plants often are more robust than their parents.

Producing hybrid seed of a known variety is beyond the capabilities of most gardeners. Male and female plants must be known or chosen, and then pollination must take place without contamination from other plants or even the female plant.

Seeds taken from a hybrid plant will not, when planted, yield plants the same as the parent plant. Take the seeds out of a hybrid sweet pepper, such as Candy Apple, and you will not get Candy Apple fruits on those plants next year.

You must buy hybrid varieties’ seeds if you want those varieties.

Give seeds development time

If you save seeds from your own garden plants, select healthy plants. Let fruits or flowers mature, whether they’re dry pods of bean plants or radish plants, the fruits of pepper or cucumber plants, or dry seed heads of marigolds or zinnias.

Mature pepper fruits generally are red, though some may be yellow or purple; the fruits are very tasty at this point. Mature cucumber fruits are hardly edible, with thick or hard skins and hard seeds. Rinse well and dry the seeds.

No need to do anything with the dry seeds you pop out of radish pods or rub from the heads of marigolds or daisies, except to pack them away. (Botanically, the “pod” of radish or other members of the cabbage family is not a pod, but a siliques, which is a podlike structure with a membrane separating its two halves.)

Cool, dry conditions keep seeds at their best. Small envelopes are good for storing seeds such as pepper and radish. A jar is a good long-term home for larger seeds such as beans and corn.

And next year?

What kinds of plants you end up growing next year will depend on whether the seeds you collect are from hybrid plants, and whether the seeds were from plants that self-pollinate or cross-pollinate.

Cucumbers, for example, have separate male and female flowers, so they readily cross-pollinate. To perpetuate a non-hybrid cucumber variety, either grow the plants in isolation from other cucumber varieties or else bag and hand-pollinate a few female flowers with male flowers on the same plant. A female cucumber or squash flower is easily recognizable by the small fruit at the base of the flower.

The most predictable outcomes from saved seeds will be from those taken from non-hybrid plants that have not cross-pollinated or do not do so readily. Expect some interesting results with the others.

• Read more articles by Lee Reich

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6 Fall Gardening Tips: Blog Spotlight

by Leave a Comment

See what Greenstreet Gardens suggests in their blog for cleaning up your fall landscape now to enjoy a beautiful spring yard later.

Are your perennials done and ready to be cut back? Get fall landscape tips from the Gardening with Greenstreet! blog. (Photo Credit: Susan Jenkins)

Filed Under: gardening tips

Lawn Care

by Leave a Comment

Get Daily discounts and offers on sporting events, plays, concerts, museums and other events around town

Filed Under: gardening tips

GARDENING TIPS: Repairing Yard Damage

by Leave a Comment

Posted on: 4:42 pm, September 21, 2013, by

This summer has been a rough one for many people’s yards.  Earl May’s gardening experts are offering tips to liven up dried out yards and gardens. Whether you want to give your yard some extreme love or are just looking to put a band-aid on the damage from the summer, there are tips and tricks for all yards.

Filed Under: gardening tips

Gardening Tips: Now is the time to plant a fescue lawn

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Posted: Friday, September 20, 2013 11:29 am


Gardening Tips: Now is the time to plant a fescue lawn

By Matthew Stevens

The Daily Herald, Roanoke Rapids, NC

|
0 comments

Today is the annual 4-H Golf Tournament at Scotfield Country Club in Scotland Neck, the primary fundraiser for the summer day camp program at the 4-H Rural Life Center in Halifax. Since I’ll be spending the day on the golf course assisting with the tournament, I’ll be up close and personal with some finely manicured turfgrass. For this reason, I thought it would be a good time to write an article about grass.

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Filed Under: gardening tips

8 fall gardening tips

by Leave a Comment

The gardening season is coming to a close, but it’s not entirely over yet. If you’re an avid green thumb, you can still squeeze a little more out of the growing season. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of the end of the year and how to get your garden set up for next year.

Plant Bulbs For Spring Flowers

Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs like tulips, irises and crocuses, which need a winter freeze to start their growing process. By getting them in the ground now, you will ensure a colorful garden by early spring. For best results, plant bulbs once temperatures are in forties and fifties, but several weeks before the ground completely freezes.

Look for Discounts

Get a jump on next year’s garden by buying gardening equipment, seeds and plants at discounted prices. Many garden centers slash prices in the fall months to move unsold stock. Store seed packets in the freezer to keep them fresh, and keep discount seedlings going indoors until you can replant them next spring.

Repot Overgrown Plants

If a summer’s worth of growth has caused your plants to outgrow their homes, take some time this fall to replant them in larger containers. Dense or compacted soil, poor drainage, or roots creeping out of the bottom of a pot are sure signs that plants are root bound and struggling for more space.

Winter-Loving Plants

Depending on what region you live in, winter doesn’t have to be a dead season. Some hearty plants like kale, lettuce, broccoli and chard thrive in colder temperatures and can even tolerate the occasional frost. As long as snow stays off the ground and the temperatures don’t dip below freezing for too long, these plants will continue to grow, allowing you to garden into the winter months.

Plant Some Quick Growers

September isn’t too late to grow a final crop. Many vegetables can go from seed to table in as little as four to six weeks, giving you vegetables by late October or early November. Radishes can be grown in around 25 days, and some leafy greens like spinach take as little as 40 days to grow, so get in a final few vegetables before the frost sets in.

Plant Shrubs and Saplings

If you plan on adding trees and shrubs to your yard, fall is the best time to do it. By planting these plants in the fall, you’ll give their roots a chance to get established and avoid the withering effects of the summer sun. You’ll want to plant trees and shrubs in the ground a few weeks before the first frost, and if you live in an area with colder temperatures and heavy snows, wrap their  branches and leaves in burlap to protect them from their first winter.

Trim Perennials

Once your garden has gone to seed and perennial plants have run through their life cycle, it’s time to trim them back. Not only will it clean up an overgrown garden, but it will give the plants more energy next year, and limit potential garden problems like powdery mildew or insect infestations.

Fertilize the Lawn

While it might look like your lawn has shut down for the season, a little lawn care in the fall months will guarantee a lush, green garden next spring. Growth slows above the surface in autumn, but beneath the soil, your lawn is still hard at work establishing strong roots. Help it out this fall with a good mix of phosphorus-rich fertilizer, which helps strengthen roots.

Filed Under: gardening tips
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