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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2014)
6 in other words march20 2014 Diggin’ in the Dirt: Hummingbirds By Chip Bubl Oregon State University Columbia County Extension Service Cutting “seed” potatoes As all gardeners know, potatoes are clones, planted from tubers or pieces of tubers grown and stored from the year before. “Seed” potatoes that are larger than eggs are generally cut into egg-sized pieces before planting. This saves on the seed needed since one large potato could easily provide four seed pieces. The process of cutting and curing the cut seed is important. First, never use a potato with any signs of disease, either cut or uncut. Second, after cutting, let the potatoes cure in a paper bag at 50-65 degrees for 4-6 days (gently shake the potatoes at day two) to develop the “corky” texture over the cut surface that will help protect the seed from disease once it is planted. Third, consider dusting the seed pieces with sulfur at planting to further reduce disease concerns and to help protect the plant from potato scab. Finally, plant as soon as the potential for a 28-degree frost is over (usually around the third week in March but no guarantees). Cover with row covers if a frost is imminent. Torpor and hummingbirds In very cold weather, my wife and I have always rotated hummingbird feeders to keep them from freezing up. Since the hummers are territorial, it involves rotating three feeding locations on about 2 hour intervals when it is cold and snowy. One evening at dusk, Nancy noticed a hummingbird hanging upside down from the feeder perch. Being Good Samaritan domestic life that he probably wouldn’t want to repeat. types, we worried that it was frozen onto the perch and was on its last wings. I went out and touched it. It flew Plant an extra row for the food bank, senior center, or directly into a snow bank. I picked it up, warmed it community meals programs. Cash donations to buy for a second in my hand and released it again. Same food are also greatly appreciated. result. So we decided to bring it inside. We put it in a bathroom in The Extension Service offers its an open insulated cooler, turned programs and materials equally off the lights, and closed the to all people. door. Neither of us expected it to survive. Next morning it was Free newsletter not in the cooler. Then there was The Oregon State University a strong buzz and it reappeared. Extension office in Columbia I grabbed it, took it outside, County publishes a monthly and away it flew. We thought newsletter on gardening and we had saved it. Then we got to farming topics (called County thinking, could this have been Living) written/edited by yours normal behavior that we had just truly. All you need to do is ask never seen? An internet search for it and it will be mailed to you. Male Anna’s hummingbird. revealed that hummingbirds, Call 503 397-3462 to be put on when resources are short and weather stress is high, can the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at go into torpor. They can lower their metabolic rate by http://extension.oregonstate.edu/columbia/ and click about 90%, their body temperature to 50 degrees versus on newsletters. the usual 104 degrees, and also lower their heart beat to 50 beats/minute versus the usual resting hummingbird Contact information for the Extension office rate of 250 beats/minute or a flying rate of 1,250 beats Oregon State University Extension Service – per minute. Their breathing rate can be very low and Columbia County irregular. They can be in torpor for 8-14 hours and it 505 N. Columbia River Highway (across from the takes them an hour to come out of it gradually as they Legacy clinic) raise their metabolic rate and their body temperature to St. Helens, OR 97051 80 degrees. So, I don’t think we saved it, but we got an 503 397-3462 education and I guess the hummingbird got a taste of Email: chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu 2014 Vernonia Sportsman’s Banquet Saturday April 12, 6:00 PM at the Vernonia Christian Church, 410 North St. Guest Speaker: Grant Adkisson • • • • President of Fellowship of Christian Cowboys Elected to the Bowhunter Hall of Fame Owner/Operator of Adkisson Outfitters Colorado Outfitter of 25 years $10 Admission-Only 300 tickets will be sold. Includes: BBQ dinner by Cousin Kenny’s BBQ & Great Door Prizes Tickets available NOW at Sentry Market Video Department! Bring Cash for the Raffle: • Trip for 2 to Alaska • Hawkeye Bilt Game Cart • Rifle • European Mount by Dennis Taxidermy and more! Bring your mounts for the “Trophy Wall” European & Plaque Mounts welcome New Mounts Categories This Year! • Best Youth (17 and Under) • Best Women’s • Best Senior (70 and over) • Best 2013 Harvest • Best Overall For Event info Contact Chad Hewitt 503-429-0511 The Dangers of Slug Bait By Sally McNair, VMD Spring is here! We have treated our first slug bait poisoned dog at Valley Vet Clinic. Slug con- trol is essential to a successful gar- den, but please think of your pets (and neighbor’s pets) when you make your battle plans Metaldehyde poison comes as Slug Bait, which is a grain based crumble that dogs love to eat. Dead line is also metaldehyde, but is in a form not attractive to dogs. Cats do not seem to like either form and are rarely poisoned. Slugs that eat met- aldehyde seizure and leave a mucous trail as they stagger around and die. Slugs are not eaten by dogs because dead or alive they taste bad. Dogs that eat slug bait will start to twitch within 30 minutes to 3 Vernonia’s Voice is published twice each month on the 1st and 3rd Thursday. Our next issue will be out April 3. 291 A Street hours of exposure. If they have eaten enough, this will progress to seizures and death. If you know they have eaten the bait, it is important to in- duce vomiting with oral peroxide. If the dog shows severe twitching and seizures do not make them vomit be- cause they may inhale the vomit and poison. In this case get them to your Veterinarian immediately. Most, but not all, animals will survive with treatment. Sluggo, an iron based slug poison is not toxic to pets. Slugs like the night, when humidity is high, to eat so walking the garden every morn- ing to pick up, cut or crush slugs wandering or eating plants is a green control method. You can sprinkle salt on them and they will shrivel up. Beer traps will attract slugs which come for a free drink but end up drowned. Sally McNair is Veterinary Medical Doctor at the Valley Vet Clinic in Rainier, OR FOR TOWING EMERGENCIES IN AND AROUND THE VERNONIA AREA Need more room? call Kim See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! Lovable service at a reasonable price • Bathing • Haircuts • Nail Clipping • Nail Polishing • Specialty Shampoos Debit/Credit now accepted 5x10 $39 10x10 $69 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks Available Authorized U-Haul Dealer Boxes and Supplies Available Polife and County personnel are required to use a rotation of available providers, UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY ASK for a servife by name. REQUEST TOWING SERVICE FROM We can make your reservation Pick up here or anywhere 58605 Nehalem Hwy South • P.O. Box 292 Vernonia, Oregon 97064 (503) 429-7867 10-5 Tue-Sat 12-4 Sun Shop Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00
