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Thursday June 25,1981
Vernonia Freedom—Page 3
Vernonia Grown
Mothers of Twins picnic
Heavy mulch not always weeding solution
by Bill Hansen
Over the years, in an effort to
reduce the amount of time and energy
invested in watering and cultivating,
I have tried several methods, many of
which have been described in books
and magazine articles. Most suggest
heavy mulching as a solution to
weeding and cultivating, as well as
moisture retention in the soil. Here in
Vernonia, it has been my experience
that if any kind of mulcing is
employed, it should be done after the
plants or seedlings are well
established in the garden. One of the
main reasons for mulching is to retain
moisture. Since moisture retention
also means cooler soil, I think the
losses in growth outweigh the gains
of mulching too early. Vegetables can
benefit greatly from mulching later in
the summer when the soil is dry from
the sun’s heat, and when little or no
fain has fallen.
Assuming then, that you are
gardening in the same manner that I
am, here are some thoughts on
watering that may be useful. To me,
watering and cultivating seem to go
together. I find that light cultivating
about once each week really helps in
keeping weeds down and seems to
allow better penetration in watering.
Also, I must confess that I really
enjoy standing back and looking at
the clean rows of vegetables after
cultivating.
Although more wasteful than other
methods, overhead sprinkling is the
way most gardens are watered in our
area. Of all the different kinds of
sprinkling devices available, I prefer
the oscillating type. The water is
applied in a rectangular pattern,
slowly, allowing the water to soak in
and not puddle and run off.
As a general rule, during the hot
summer months, the garden should
receive about one inch of water each
week. To determine how much water
you are giving your garden, set out an
old coffee or other type can while you
sprinkle. By timing and measuring
you will soon learn how long you need
to leave the water running to achieve
the right amount. Of course, this is
only a very general rule. You will need
to experiment to determine what is
best for your garden.
While some plants such as root
crops and leafy vegetables don’t mind
wet foliage, I prefer not to sprinkle
tomato, squash and even beans if I
can avoid it. These crops seem more
susceptible to mold and fungus
problems if left damp over too long a
time. If possible, use an open hose of
watering can. Black plastic mulch is
obituary.,.
Iris McDonald
Iris McDonald, 80, former longtime
resident of Vernonia and Gales Creek,
and late of Hillsboro,
died
Wednesday, June 17 at Tuality
Community Hospital, following a
short illness.
Funeral service for Mrs. McDonald
were held Saturday, June 20 at 10 am
at Fuiten Mortuary Chapel in Forest
Grove with Everett Blair officiating.
Committal rites followed at the Fir
Lawn Cemetery in Hillsboro.
- Iris Irene McDonald was bom near
Laurel, Oregon on October 1, 1900,
the daughter of the late William and
Francis Tateman Baker. She and her
Family moved to Buxton and later to
a rural area near Timber. She
attended the Mist Grade School and
Vernonia High School and Was
married to George McDonald on
September 26, 1920 at Vernonia
where they lived and farmed until
1946 when they moved to Gales
Creek. She worked at Hudson House
Cannery in Forest Grove before they
retired and moved to their present
home in Hillsboro in 1965. Mr. and
Mrs. McDonald celebrated their 60th
wedding anniversary in September,
1980.
Survivors include her husband,
George McDonald, at the family
JOE'S
T.V. Repair
9 am to 4 pm
Mon. thru Sat.
859 Bridge St. 429-8355
Dr. Christopher Hill's
Spirulina Plankton
Now Available
In Our Area
429-1932
also very helpful in growing these
plants as it will retain moisture and
maintain a higher soil temperature.
The best time of the day to water is in
the early morning hours. Less
moisture is lost to evaporation and
soil and plants are dry at night. But,
since this is not always possible,
don’t be afraid to water in the heat of
the afternoon if that is the only time
you can do it. I try not to water late in
the evening if I can help it, but I
suspect it really makes little
difference. After all, only in Camelot
does it rain only in the early morning
hours.
home in Hillsboro; seven children,
Jack McDonald of Garibaldi; Ralph
McDonald, Tuscon, Arizona; June
McRae, Bay City; Joanne Hall,
Hillsboro; Dorothy Simonsen and
Lynn McDonald, both of Tigard and
Lyle McDonald of Hillsboro. .
Also surviving is one sister, Erma
Kirkpatrick of Mountain Home,
Oregon and one brother, Raleigh
Baker of Aloha; 21 grandchildren and
one great-grandson.
Volunteer drivers needed
There is a great need in Columbia
County for volunteer drivers to aid
children and elderly people in getting
to doctor’s appointments both locally
and into Portland. Adult and Family
Seririces/Children’s Services Division
can, through volunteer services,
reimburse volunteers for mileage
NASI-GORENG
Indonesian Fried Rice & Sate’
BAMI-GORENG
Sate* is an
ail meat
shishkebab
expense or volunteers may use a state
of Oregon vehicle upon request.
Anyone interested in signing up for
occasional volunteer driving, please
contact Kathie Kolody at 270
Columbia Blvd. (Next . to motor
vehicles) in St. Helens or call 397-
1743.
VERNONIA CLINIC
622 Bridge St.
DR. W. EÄRL BUCHANAN
OPTOMETRIST
OFFICE HOURS:
9 am to 5 pm
Fridays only
Appointments may be
made by Telephone on
Monday and Friday.
J AVA RESTAURANT
We Specialize in
‘ Indonesian Cuisine
Double Vision Mothers of Twins
Club will hold a family picnic Sunday,
June 28 at 3 pm at the Boise Cascade
Park on Kasper Rd. in St. Helens. All
area twins, families of twins and
expectant parents of twins are invited
to bring their picnics and enjoy a time
of sharing with other families of
multiples.
Double Vision Mothers of Twins
Club is a member of the Northwest
Association of Mothers of Twins
Clubs. It meets the last Thursday of
each month at the Visitors
Information Center at Trojan. Club
activities include clothing and
equipment exchanges, helpful hints,
guest speakers, a lending library,
support for new and expectant
parents of twins, and mutual aid in
the goal to allow each twin to develop
as an individual.
We have members in Scappoose, St.
Helens,
Rainier,
Clatskanie,
Vernonia, Mist, Longview and
Woodland.
For more information call Jennie
Sexton, 397-6296 or Lynnda Fuller,
543-7086.
429-2675
ROBERT W. THOMPSON
D.M.D., P.C.
GENERAL DENTISTRY
OFFICE HOURS:
9 am to 5 pm
Monday and Friday
Examination and Estimates
Will barter and exchange
items of value for services
rendered.
TROY D. SHARP JR
EXCAVATING
SEPTIC, SEWER
AND
WATER SERVICE
Fried Noodles & Sate’
American and Seafoods
Tues - Thurs: 6:00 am-ftOO pm
Beer A Wine Served
Friday: 6:00 am-9:00 pm
Saturday: 7:00 am-9:00 pm
Open For Breakfast
Hyw. 26 in Manning
Next to Arco Station
Closed Monday
Sunday: 9:00 am-7:00 pm
324-0781
References upon request
10 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
LICENSED, BONDED, INSURED
TROY SHARP 429-1061
STEVE KING
429-2300