Thursday May 7,1981
Vernonia Freedom—Page 3
Weather, soil decide when timéis right for planting
by Bill Hansen
Although it may be the “right”
time of the season to plant your
garden, weather and soil conditions
still have the final word. Last week I
did manage to get my tiller into the
garden but had to quit. The soil had
formed a dry crust but it was only
about an inch deep. Underneath it
was still so wet that it wouldn’t break
up. I stopped right away because I
knew those soft sticky clumps would
dry into hard clods that would be
very difficult to break up later. Also,
with that much moisture still in the
ground, any seeds I could plant would
probably not germinate and only rot
away.
Each year since moving to
Vernonia we have kept a record of the
garden. Included in this document are
such factors are the kinds of seeds
used, when planted, how long before
they were “up”, length of time until
harvest, yield and so forth. Being
frustrated over not being able to till
and plant (as I know you are), I
reviewed those charts to determine
how this year compares with previous
seasons.
About the earliest we were able to
plant most vegetables was in 1973
when we planted on April 21. This
was the earliest seeding that didn’t
require a second planting for many
varieties. In 1978 we couldn’t plant
until May 20. Even this late my
notations indicate that we had to
replant beets, parsnips, beans and
cucumbers on June 20. Even with so
late a planting our beets were 3” in
diameter by August 5. Again, in 1979
we planted most crops May 21; in
1980, the early varieties were planted
May 18, and beans, cucumbers,
squash and other “late” crops didn’t
go in until June 8! So, if there is a
message in all this, I guess it would
be that we seem to be about on
schedule. Some years you might get
lucky planting early, but you do run
the risk of the need to replant if
conditions remain cool, as is often the
case.
On the others hand, look at it this
Royalty dispute may be settled
continued from page 1
group, including Mist residents Jerri
Hemeon, Vivian Reynolds, Art
Laubach, Dorothy Laubach, Katie
Laubach and Walter Mathews;
Birkenfeld residents Gladys DuPuis,
Boone Johnson and Vernonia Mayor
Henry Anderegg also included
Columbia County Commissioners Jay
Ahlborn, Bob Hunt and Marian
Sahagian, strong supporters of this
effort since its inception according to
area residents involved with the fight.
State
Representatives
Carolyn
Magruder and Ted Bugas were also
present. “Everyone was in agreement
that a problem exists out here,” said
Art Laubach. “They even agreed that
a solution is needed. Now we just
have to find one,” he added.
According to other sources the only
opposition to the idea of spreading
the responsibility for increased
emergency response capabilities in
the impacted area was voiced by two
local school superintendents and the
Clatskanie City Business Manager.
“Although this new idea means the
school districts would lose less than
they would if SB 2620 passed as it
stands, ’ ’ Laubach pointed out.
Under the existing dispersal
formula, developed in the 1930’s for
tax foreclosures on property, small
frugal tax districts are being
penalized for spending their dollars
wisely while larger, more financially
reckless districts are rewarded with
larger shares of the royalties area
residents alledge. The current
formula requires that proportionately
larger shares of the revenue go to
those districts incurring the largest
debts. ‘ ‘As ah example, ’ ' Laubach
says, “we just insured our. newly
completed fire hall in Mist for $80,000
at no cost to the taxpayers,” he said.
The current law is out of date and we
sorely need a new law for the
distribution of natural resource
royalties. We’re not the only area
being affected either, lots of other
Oregon counties are facing this same
problem and someone has to set a
precedent or we’ll all get hurt,” he
added.
“What we need,” another resident
present at the budget committee
meeting said, “is for someone with
more clout than Mist to step forward
and push this thing through. So far,
the county commissioners and our
state representatives are the only
people who’ve really helped us. We’re
counting on their continued help and
strong support,”,he added.
Hansen’s Country Garden
Member, American Floral Services
way; we usually enjoy a late fall and
are able to harvest many root crops
right into the next spring. So, don’t
rush it. Let the condition of the soil
tell you when to till and when to
plant. If the garden is too wet to till,
it is also too cold to plant most kinds
of seeds. The soil will not have
warmed up enough for optimum
germination, your seeds will rot and
you’ll have to do it over when
conditions are right. Not only is it
“not nice to fool Mother Nature”, it
can be costly too.
I don’t know how you lay out the
rows in your garden, but many folks
like to use string and a couple of
stakes to help keep the rows straight.
Then, to keep rows parallel, one has to
mark a measure from each end to
where the next row should begin. To
make this easier, I made my hoe
handle into a measure device.
Starting at one end, I notched and
marked the handle at one foot, two
foot, two and a half foot, and three
foot intervals. Staying with these set
measurements the rows lay out
quickly, avoiding the task of
measuring the start of each row and
trying to remember it at the other
end. Since the hoe is an indispensable
tool when planting you’ll always have
it around when you need it.
Ladie's Golf Club hosts players
The ‘President’s Get Acquainted’
night at Vernonia Golf Club was
attended by 13 ladies. The weather
turned nice and a game of approach
and putt was played. First prize, a jar
of homemade honey, was donated by
Ruth Nogle and won by Vera Cole.
The second prize, golf balls, was
donated by Greg Brown and won by
we would like all ladies who like to
golf ■ beginners or old-timers - to
please join us.
Pauline King.
Following the game a delicious
buffet was enjoyed by all.
Regular play starts May 5 and
every Tuesday thereafter through
September. Tee off time is 5:15 and
FOR BUSINESS
titilli
Timber
Electric
NOW OPEN
Commercial & Residential
Licensed
429-7622
A new money
request every
six months?
Last November the PUD Board received approval
to obligate the citizens of the Columbia River District for
a $17,000,000 bond issue. Now, just six months later, they
want to tax you an additional $300,0001 Lots of
money IP but no electricity.
Will they keep asking for more taxes or bonds every
six months?
The only way you can stop it is by voting...
NO on the
$300,000 PUD tax
levy, May 19th.
People Opposing PUD Debt Committee, Betty Applegate, Treasurer, 250 Belton Rd., St. Helens, OR 97051
To Mom — With Love
HILLSBORO
PLUMBING
• A beautiful Bouquet or corsage
• Healthy green or blooming plants
Now serving the Vernonia area every Wednesday
with
COMPLETE AND PROFESSIONAL
PLUMBING SERVICE
842 Madison Ave.
Downtown Vernonia
429-2355
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experienced
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