P2 THE SPOKESMAN • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021
GARDEN COLUMN
Be mindful of drought conditions while gardening
BY LIZ DOUVILLE
For The Spokesman
Drought is a harsh word for
farmers and gardeners to hear.
We were reminded that drought
conditions are here in Central
Oregon with the recent startling
news reports that three major
reservoirs are in peril.
Conserving water, not
considering the impending
drought-impacted restrictions,
should be a prime concern of
all who choose to live in Cen-
tral Oregon. It should be sim-
ple to understand: We live at a
high desert elevation.
According to a U.S. Drought
Monitor map issued on May
18, 2021, most of Central Or-
egon registers as being in D2
(Severe Drought) to D3 (Ex-
treme Drought). Parts of Lake
and Klamath Counties are in
D4 (Exceptional Drought)
conditions.
My mind can’t help automat-
ically reverting to the TV of the
70s and “So—whatcha gonna
do bout it?”
There’s nothing we can do to
prevent a drought but there are
some strategies we can enact
that will help minimize the toll
it takes on your landscape.
Start by monitoring the ir-
rigation system and where the
water goes. Is part of the water
going down the driveway or
sidewalk? Maybe redirecting
a few sprinkler heads would
eliminate the runoff. Can you
change the timing of your sys-
tem to irrigate a shorter time
span?
Be sure you know what the
watering regulations are for
your city. My neighborhood is
in an irrigation district. Rather
than being on regulated irrigat-
ing hours, the irrigation should
be done early in the morning
or early evening when the heat
of the day has passed and evap-
oration has lessened.
Mulching is one of the best
things you can do for your gar-
den. A 2- to 3-inch mulch cov-
ering your garden can block
weed growth, keep the soil
moist and as it decays will feed
both the soil and the plants
growing in it. A general rule
of thumb is that mulches and
compost are held back approx-
imately about an inch from
the base of the plant. The most
popular mulches are organic
commercial mulches.
For years we have read that
pine needles acidify the soil.
A two-year study of mulching
with pine needles showed the
pH of the soil was the same as
the reading two years prior.
They may not look as pretty
but you’ll have to admit they
are cost-effective.
It is helpful to stop fertil-
izing. Let’s admit it — we are
far too generous when instead
we should be more aware of
enriching the soil. Fertilizers
encourage plant growth; the
more a plant grows, the more
moisture it needs.
Removing spent blooms
before they have a chance to
set seed saves energy for your
plants. The plants don’t need to
put energy (which they need
water for) into producing seeds.
It might not be fun at the
best of times, but getting those
weeds out of the garden is espe-
cially important during drought.
The reason: Weeds’ roots steal
valuable moisture from the soil.
Mark your calendar, June 13,
2021, has been declared Na-
tional Weed Your Garden Day.
If you are looking to plan a
more drought-tolerant garden
you might consider some of
the following.
Become familiar with the
native plants that grow well
in our area. “Selecting native
plants for home landscapes in
Central Oregon” publication
EC 1623 from the Oregon State
University Extension Service.
Here’s some food for thought—
In England sagebrush is con-
sidered an exotic ornamental.
Why not in Central Oregon?
The list of drought-resis-
tant herbs includes most of the
common cooking herbs on a
shopping list. Chives, garlic
and onion are excellent choices
for low-water gardens.
Additional low-water herbs
include lovage which has a cel-
ery-like flavor. I plan to add a
container of lovage to my un-
heated greenhouse for winter
use as a substitute for buying
celery, of which half usually
ends up in the compost bin.
Oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage
and thyme are low-water com-
mon cooking herbs that are also
easy to dry in the microwave.
It can be exciting to meet
new challenges and realize you
aren’t part of the problem.
e
Reporter: douville@bendbroadband.com
POLICE & FIRE REPORT
The Spokesman will update items in the Police
Log when such a request is received. Any new
information, such as the dismissal of charges
or acquittal, must be verifiable. For more
information, call 541-548-2185.
Redmond Police Department
May 24
Criminal mischief — An act of criminal mischief
was reported at 9:46 a.m. in the 2500 block of SW
45th Street.
Thefts — Thefts were reported at:
11:17 a.m. in the 600 block of NE Hemlock Avenue,
and an arrest made. The suspect was charged with
forgery and theft by deception.
5:10 p.m. in the 63400 block of N. U.S. Highway
97, and three arrests made. One suspect was also
charged with reckless driving and giving false
information to police.
6:20 p.m. in the 3200 block of SW Pumice Place.
Vehicle crash — An accident was reported at
4:32 p.m. in the 1700 block of S. U.S. Highway 97.
May 25
Burglary — A burglary was reported at 2:15 a.m.
in the area of NE Kingwood Avenue and NE 17th
Street.
Theft — A theft was reported at 3:25 p.m. in the
900 block of SW Veterans Way, and an arrest made.
Unauthorized use — A vehicle was reported
stolen at 5:38 a.m. in the 2400 block of SW 23rd
Street.
May 26
Thefts — Thefts were reported at:
9:54 a.m. in the 100 block of NW Sixth Street.
8:57 a.m. in the 700 block of SW Fifth Street, and
an arrest made. The suspect was charged with
driving while suspended or with a revoked license.
3:48 p.m. in the 4200 block of SW Tommy Armour
Lane.
Vehicle crashes — Noninjury accidents were
reported at:
7:40 p.m. in the area of SW Glacier Avenue and SW
Sixth Street.
9:20 p.m. in the 300 block of SW Seventh Street.
May 27
Burglary — Burglaries were reported at:
5:51 p.m. in the 800 block of NW Canyon Drive.
6:15 p.m. in the 1200 block of SW Veterans Way.
Criminal mischief — An act of criminal mischief
was reported at 9:59 a.m. in the 2100 block of SW
19th Street.
CROSSWORD
Thefts — Thefts were reported at:
1:40 p.m. in the 1300 block of SW Kalama Avenue.
2:27 p.m. in the 900 block of SW Veterans Way.
4:50 p.m. in the 800 block of SW Rimrock Way.
10:34 p.m. in the 300 block of NW Oak Tree Lane.
May 28
Hit-and-run — A hit-and-run incident was
reported at 4:37 p.m. in the area of SW 11th Street
and SW Highland Avenue.
Thefts — Thefts were reported at:
11:56 a.m. in the 1500 block of SW 21st Place.
4:53 p.m. in the 6700 block of SW Valley View
Road.
Unauthorized use — A vehicle was reported
stolen at 12:24 p.m. in the 800 block of SW 26th
Court.
May 29
DUII — Emma Leigh Kuhlman, 21, of Redmond
was arrested on suspicion of driving under the
influence of intoxicants at 12:52 a.m. following a
report of a hit and run in the area of SW Pumice
Avenue and SW Canal Boulevard, and was also
charged with reckless driving and hit and run
property damage.
Hit-and-run — A hit-and-run incident was
reported at 7:31 p.m. in the area of SW Sixth Street
and SW Forest Avenue.
Thefts — Thefts were reported at:
4:36 p.m. in the area of NW 15th Street and NW
Spruce Avenue.
4:43 p.m. in the 2600 block of NW Eighth Street.
Vehicle crash — A noninjury accident was
reported at 6:04 p.m. in the area of SW Fifth Street
and SW Glacier Avenue.
May 30
Burglary — A burglary was reported at 9:36 p.m.
in the 500 block of SW Fourth Street.
Thefts — Thefts were reported at:
5:30 a.m. in the 2500 block of NE Ninth Street.
11:23 a.m. in the 1400 block of SW 27th Street.
8:33 p.m. in the 2900 block of S. U.S. Highway 97.
8:46 p.m. in the 800 block of SW 17th Street.
Vehicle crash — An accident was reported at
10:46 a.m. in the 2900 block of S. U.S. Highway 97.
Redmond Fire Runs
May 24
10:14 a.m. Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill,
2569 SW 45th St.
11:16 a.m. Gas leak (natural gas or LPG), 3711 SW
SUDOKU
Metolius Ave.
3:34 p.m. Gas leak (natural gas or LPG), 3400 NW
Dogwood Ave.
May 25
5:35 p.m. Removal of victim(s) from stalled
elevator, 912 SE Salmon Ave.
6:43 p.m. Extrication, rescue, other, 1575 SW
Reindeer Ave.
8:04 p.m. Natural vegetation fire, other, 6693 SW
67th St.
May 26
1:16 p.m. Motor vehicle/pedestrian accident,
10087 NE Crooked River Dr., Terrebonne.
May 28
9:54 a.m. High-angle rescue, 10087 NE Crooked
River Dr., Terrebonne.
10:18 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, noninjury, 2250
S. U.S. Highway 97.
May 29
12:45 p.m. Motor vehicle accident with injury, in
the area of SW Helmholtz Way.
May 30
6:35 p.m. Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire, 137
NW Antler Loop.
May 24-30: 85 Medical aid or transfer calls
WEATHER
Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every
3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9, with no repeats.
FORECAST
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
LAST WEEK
HIGH
LOW
62
68
67
75
81
82
78
37
44
45
50
52
51
46
HIGH
LOW
PM Rain
Sunny
Cloudy
Cloudy
Partly cloudy
Sunny
Sunny
PRECIP
Monday, May 31
89
46
0
Tuesday, June 1
97*
51
0
Wednesday, June 2
99*
52
0.02
Thursday, June 3
92
54
0
Friday, June 4
86
46
0
Saturday, June 5
69
38
0
Sunday, June 6
65
31
0
Precipitation to date this year: 1.95 inches
* = daily record
National Weather Service broadcasts are on 162.50 mhz.
Answers on Page 6
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