8
in other words
june15
2017
Diggin’ in the Dirt: Wet Springs and Apples
By Chip Bubl
Oregon State University
Extension Service - Columbia County
2017 OSU Extension Canning Classes
Come learn how to safely pre-
serve foods from your garden this sea-
son! Participants will practice making
and canning recipes in the kitchen, and
will process a jar to take home. Space
is limited, so call soon to reserve your
spot! Pre-registration is required.
Where: Columbia Soil and Water Con-
servation District, 35285 Millard Road,
St. Helens, OR 97051
When: all classes 9am-12pm
Friday, July 7th ~ Canning Fruits and Pie
Fillings
Friday, July 21st ~ Pickling Vegetables
and Fruits
Friday, August 4th ~ Pressure Canning
Vegetables and Meats
Friday, August 18th ~ Canning Toma-
toes and Salsa
Cost: $25 per class or $80 if you register
for all 4 classes
Scholarships are also available
Registration: Call the OSU Extension
Service: (503) 397-3462
Or register online at: http://extension.or-
egonstate.edu/columbia
OSU 4-H Adventure Evenings!
This summer we are starting
something NEW, 4-H Adventure Eve-
nings. They will be held on Friday eve-
nings in a local park and will have some
type of theme. Each evening will have
an “Open Grill,” you bring the meat/
main course for your family and a sec-
ond dish to share with others. The first
one will be June 16 at McCormick Park
in St. Helens. Theme: Friday Nite Flights
(Disc Golf). You are welcome to bring
your own Disc or I will have some that
you can borrow. The grill and food will
be ready at 6 pm’ish and Disc Golf will
begin about 7:15 pm, we will be done by
8:30 pm. Please bring your own dinner
service and condiments for your food.
The purpose is to have FUN with your
family and to bring a friend to enjoy the
4-H Program. So, mark your calendar,
invite a friend and plan to attend. Call
(503) 397-3462 for more information.
Weed management and identification
class at the Oregon State University
Extension office in St. Helens
There will be a Weed Manage-
ment and ID class held at the Oregon
State University Extension office in St.
Helens on Monday, June 19 from 6:30
until 8:00 pm. The class will focus on
garden and landscape weeds and some of
the techniques, tools, and herbicides that
can help you manage them. Participants
are encouraged to bring some weeds for
identification. There will be ample time
for questions. The class is free and open
to the public. For more information, call
the Extension office at (503) 397-3462.
Wet springs, missing honey bees, pol-
lination, and apples
There was a bumper apple crop
in 2016. This year looks less productive.
Some apple varieties are alternate bear-
ing, which means that the bumper crop
last year means almost no apples the
next. That could have been modified by
aggressive early fruit thinning (within 4
weeks of fruit set) last year. Other trees
are not prone to alternate bearing and,
given a normal spring, produce consis-
tent crops from one year to the next. But
this was not a normal spring. April was
very cold and wet. In some ways, that
was good because it slowed flowering.
But when flowers started in early to mid-
May, there were still plenty of cold, rainy
days mixed in with some sunny ones.
Honey bees were almost non-existent.
Orchard mason bees were out but there
were so many blossoms to choose from,
all blooming at the same time. Many
flowers weren’t pollinated. It looks like
the fruit crop will be light to at best me-
dium this year in most locations.
Since apple trees were about
three weeks late to bloom this year, it
stands to reason that the codling moth
(the insect that lays the egg that becomes
the big “worm” in the apple) is also late
to emerge. Normally, they show up about
the middle of May. Their first eggs are
projected to hatch around June 10. To
reduce damage from this insect, sprays
need to be applied within a week of that
day and be continued over the course of
the summer at 2-3 week intervals. Prob-
ably the most useful “organic” products
available to the home gardener are those
with “spinosad” as the active ingredi-
ent. These products are also reasonably
effective on the codling moth and the
apple maggot fly which starts to lay eggs
about the end of June. Always read and
follow the instructions on any (organic
or conventional) pesticide label.
Take excess produce to the food bank,
senior centers, or community meals
programs. Cash donations to buy food
are also greatly appreciated.
The Extension Service offers its pro-
grams and materials equally to all
people.
Free newsletter
The Oregon State University
Extension office in Columbia County
publishes a monthly newsletter on gar-
dening and farming topics (called Coun-
try Living) written/edited by yours truly.
All you need to do is ask for it and it will
be mailed to you. Call (503) 397-3462 to
be put on the list. Alternatively, you can
sign up for email notification of when
to find the latest edition on the web at
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/colum-
bia/.
Contact information for the Extension
office
Oregon State University
Extension Service – Columbia County
505 N. Columbia River Highway (across
from the Legacy clinic)
St. Helens, OR 97051
(503) 397-3462
Email: chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu
Natural Path to Health: Allergies
By Dr. Carol McIntyre
So many of us suffer from seasonal allergies
and this year I can include myself in that category. This
is the first year I have experienced such intense sneez-
ing, watery/itchy eyes, nose and even itchy ears and
throat! Being that one gains understanding from expe-
rience, I wish this was one I had bypassed. In doing so
however, I have discovered some very important as-
pects of symptom relief and healing to prevent further
allergy attacks.
Acutely, one can use some of the ‘go to’
formulas out there such as Claritin, Benadryl etc;
however, in doing so many people build a resistance to
these over the counter drugs and once it stops working
for them they search for another and swap between
different formulas trying to find relief. There are nasal
sprays, sublingual tablets that dissolve under the tongue
and even lozenges that offer relief.
I have been using different homeopathic and
herbal combinations to help relieve my symptoms. Yes,
I had one very bad day where my eyes were swollen
and I couldn’t stop sneezing, but then my relief came.
A new formula containing Butterbur, Quercitin, nettles
and other supportive herbs provided great relief for me.
In addition I used essential oils in the diffuser at night
such as Peppermint or the Breathe formula.
Also, I kept my window closed while sleeping.
Usually I like to sleep with my window cracked for the
fresh air… but upon waking at 3 am the other night
with a terribly scratchy throat (and running to the honey
jar for relief) I decided to change my mind. Sleeping
with the window closed has prevented the pollen from
wafting in and irritating me early in the morning. I have
mentioned in previous articles that the pollen count is
highest from 4 am - 10 am. This year the news has
reported that the pollen count in certain areas is more
than three times the ‘severe’ count. Protecting yourself
from exposure if one way to reduce symptoms. There
are special screens you can purchase as well to block
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the pollen.
Everyone is different and will have something
unique that works well for them. There is not one
solution. Or is there? There is a known pathology
of tissue degradation that leads to many different
disorders/diseases - including allergies. When I say
allergies I mean environmental and food allergies.
Typically, a person will have a stressor in their life (on
any level) which creates inflammation and begins the
process of tissue break down or degradation. Once the
tissues break down, barriers are broken and symptoms
prevail. This could be in a reaction to food, stress or
environmentals. Preserving the barrier is the key to
ultimate health.
Think about how many times people present
with skin disorders, headaches, GI issues, etc. under the
presence of stress or illness. When the immune system
is compromised it can lead to many things. How do
we strengthen the immune system and particularly
strengthen our borders? Some great supports are aloe,
MSM, herbals such as DGL, marshmallow and others
that reinforce a strong barrier. If the barrier is strong
then the immune system will react appropriately and
the system will stay in balance. Without a strong barrier,
the system will break down and symptoms will present.
Think about your every day decisions. The food
you eat, the way you process stress, the supplements,
foods and herbs/nutrients you consume. Alcohol,
sugar and preservatives all inhibit our bodies’ natural
ability to repair naturally. Use these in moderation or
minimally at best. Supplement with healthy fats, herbs
and the other avenues suggested above.
If you have questions, ASK! I am willing to
help and I have a sign up sheet outside the office for
discussion groups. Education is key. Let’s do this!
Thanks for joining me. ~ Be Well.
Vernonia’s Voice is published twice each
month on the 1st and 3rd Thursday.
Look for our next issue out July 6.