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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2015)
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Cool your garden with expert tips By Kym Pokorny OSU Extension Service CORVALLIS – The fore- cast promises high tempera- tures this summer, so take care to protect plants for the long, hot haul. “Already this year, I’ve noticed soils are drying out more and sooner than I’ve seen since I moved to Portland eight years ago,” said Weston Miller, a horticulturist with Oregon State University’s Extension Service. “It’s criti- cal to be proactive about watering.” Once soils dry out, plants get stressed and struggle to recover, he explained. So water deeply and regularly. Especially vulnerable are plants put in this year, but all need attention. “Get water down to where the roots are,” Miller said. “After watering, dig a small hole to see how far the water has penetrated.” Irrigate for 45 minutes and then measure. For trees and shrubs, look for water to penetrate the soil to at least eight to 10 inches. For peren- nials, annuals and vegetables, shoot for moisture to reach 6-8 inches depth. Soaker hoses or drip systems are best for irrigat- ing because they are more efficient at delivering water and cut down on evaporation, Miller said. As a last resort, use an overhead sprinkler to cover a lot of space. If possi- ble, don’t water in the middle of the day as it will speed up evaporation and can burn foli- age on particularly hot days. While you’re out taking care of your plants, he said, don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. Avoid working in the garden during the hot- test part of the day, wear a hat, drink plenty of liquids and use sunscreen. Miller offers these tips to take care of the garden in hot weather • Check irrigation sys- tems, including soaker hoses and drip systems, for leaks so water doesn’t flood one area and miss another. • Planting in summer isn’t recommended. However, if it’s necessary, use the “mud- ding in” technique. Dig a planting hole, fill with water and let it sink in. Fill with water again and put in the plant while there’s still water in the hole. Add soil and water again. • Put mulch around plants to slow down evaporation and keep soil cool. • Move potted plants and hanging baskets into the shade and check often for dryness. They may need to be watered at least twice a day. • Use shade netting (avail- able at garden centers) to protect plants on especially hot days, especially newly planted vegetables and annu- als. In a pinch, use old sheets or curtains. You’ll want to prop netting or cloth on PVC pipe, stakes or heavy-gauge wire molded over plants. • Set lawn mowers to cut at a 3-inch height, which will encourage roots to grow deeper and have access to more water. To keep lawns green, water at least an inch a week. Use a tuna can or rain gauge to measure how much water is applied. • Observe plants in full sun to see how they perform through the summer. Some may need to be relocated to a site with some afternoon shade. • In the future, when choosing a plant consider drought-tolerant selections and natives. For suggestions, refer to Extension’s guide “Selecting Native Plants for Home Landscapes in Central Oregon.” Native plants collected for new osu-Cascades campus BEND (AP) — A group of volunteers has collected over 1,000 native plants at Oregon State University-Cascades’ planned campus, a task that has offered the campus a unique look and has cut land- scaping costs. The Bend Bulletin reports senior instructor at the univer- sity, Matt Shinderman, says he and about 10 volunteers have collected 1,300 native plants at the 10-acre site. The plants, which include bunch grasses, wildflowers, and bushes, are an alternative to the expansive lawns seen on other campuses throughout the country. Shinderman says the plants won’t need to be watered or maintained and could also serve as a “living laboratory” for students. The campus is expected to be completed by fall 2016. forest service offers interpretive language service TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service program is starting a new pro- gram that aims to help non- native English speakers enjoy their visit to national forests. The News Tribune news- paper reports the telephone interpretation service is a pilot project in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. Forest Service. People visiting forest lands in Washington and Oregon will be able to call in and receive information in 170 languages. Of course, the ser- vice will only work in places where telephone service is available. Call data will be assessed to determine the need for future services. The Pacific Northwest region of the Forest Service consists of 17 national for- ests, 59 district offices, two national scenic areas, a national grassland and two national volcanic monuments. Happy 4th of July! ilovecentraloregon.com NEW NEW Featured Listing 15651 Ntl. 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