8
in other words
december25
2012
Diggin’ in the Dirt: Winter Water for the Birds
By Chip Bubl
Oregon State University
Extension Service - Columbia County
Master Gardener™ class signups
being taken
The OSU Extension office in
Columbia County will be offering the
Master Gardener™ training again in St.
Helens this spring. The classes will be
held on Mondays from 9 am – 4 pm for
11 weeks starting on January 7 th , 2013.
Cost of the program is $75.00 which
includes a large resource book. Master
Gardeners are responsible for providing
volunteer gardening education to the
community as partial payback for the
training. If interested in the program, call
the Extension office at 503 397-3462 for
an information packet. This could still be
a holiday gift.
algae.
Bird lovers can help by
providing shallow puddles or bird baths.
The containers should be from one to
three inches deep, preferably with gentle
sloping sides. The surface of the bath
should be rough so the birds can get sure
footing.
Place flat rocks at water’s edge
to allow birds a place to rest or drink
from. Make sure cats cannot reach the
watering area.
Keep water unfrozen by adding
warm water as needed. There are even
some birdbath heaters available at
specialty stores.
Adapted from an article by Dan
Edge, Department Chair, OSU Fish and
Wildlife
a reasonable facsimile thereof, you can
type the name into Google and then add
“+Oregon State University” and you
will find that publication in our archive.
Another website you should
know is our plant disease web site http://
pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/. This
can give you pictures and insights into all
manner of plant problems to be thankful
you don’t have and good information/
advice on those that do show up in your
garden. Also linked at the bottom is our
insect management handbook where you
can look at apple maggots, bedbugs or
flea beetles from a safe distance.
in the winter, those that do are richly
appreciated. You might search out
nurseries for their Hellebore, Witch
hazel, and Sarcococca varieties.
• Shrubs and other plants under eaves
may dry out during the winter. When
that happens, they may either perish
directly from lack of moisture or may be
more susceptible to damage from cold
weather.
The Extension Service offers its
programs and materials equally to all
people.
Free newsletter
Odds and ends……
The Oregon State University
• Peach leaf curl finds its way into the Extension office in Columbia County
buds on your peach tree (if you dare publishes a monthly newsletter on
to grow such a thing in Vernonia!) this gardening and farming topics (called
Many
Extension
publications month and in January and February. County Living) written/edited by yours
available free online
Reduce the problem by spraying truly. All you need to do is ask for it and
Winter water for the birds
Are you putting up salsa, completely and often with lime sulfur it will be mailed to you. Call 503 397-
A lot of us feed birds in the saving seeds, or thinking about planting or copper (considered organic). Four 3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively,
winter. Yet how many of us think to kiwis? OSU has a large number of its separate sprays are ideal. Temperatures you can find it on the web at
provide those birds with water? As easy publications available for free download. should be well above freezing when you http://extension.oregonstate.edu/
sources of water freeze in cold weather, Just go to http://extension.oregonstate. spray. Two to three hours of drying time columbia/ and click on newsletters.
birds may have trouble finding the water edu/catalog/ click on publications and is ideal. With copper fungicides, use a
they need. Birds use the water not only start exploring. If there was an older spreader-sticker if the label calls for one.
for drinking and bathing, but as a source OSU publication that you remember but While you’re at it, spray your apples, Contact information for the Extension
of water-borne foods such as insects and can’t find, if you know its exact name or cherries, blueberries, and boysen/ office
marionberries to Oregon State University Extension
help manage some Service – Columbia County
of their disease 505 N. Columbia River Highway (across
issues.
from the Legacy clinic)
North Coast Parenting is pleased to Increasing personal value in the workplace.
•
While there St. Helens, OR 97051
present a full day workshop on fatherhood and
This program is designed specifically for
aren’t a lot of 503 397-3462
relationships presented by the Northwest Marriage men who are parenting at any age, single or married.
plants that bloom Email: chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu
Institute of Vancouver, Washington. The event is The purpose is to help men become better fathers,
scheduled for Saturday, January 26 th from 8:30 AM relationship partners and family men. Women are
-5:00 PM at the Holiday Inn Express in Astoria. This encouraged to attend. All participating males will
event is free - breakfast and lunch will be provided. receive a $40 gift card.
Topics include: Seven stages of a healthy
Registration is required-call (503) 325-
Vernonia Youth Basketball is
relationship, Skills for healthy communication and 8673 ext 4 or visit the Northwest Marriage Institute
preparing for their “Kick Off the
conflict resolution, Building successful parenting to register online.
Season” youth tournament n Saturday
skills, Men as role models and mentors and http://www.northwestmarriage.org/
January 5, 2013. Vernonia hosts
“Fathering for the Future” Workshop
Boosters Buzz
this annual tournament each year for
5 /6 grade boys and girls. The tournament will be
held at the new school campus. Make sure to stop by
and support your local youth and cheer them on!
th
Give the gift of
Vernonia’s Voice
th
Thank you to all who helped with the Boosters
concessions at the “Christmas in the Country
Bazaar.” You all know who you are, but a big thank
you goes out to you anyway! We couldn’t do it
without all our volunteers!
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