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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (April 5, 2018)
APRIL 5, 2018 // 19 BOOKMONGER Creating and maintaining a sustainable yard I don’t know what is prompting it, but I’ve heard the chainsaws revving up around my neighborhood with unnerving regularity recently. Our local tree canopy is diminishing at an alarming rate, which means we are seeing fewer birds and hearing fewer tree frogs this spring. I hope that a new book by John J. Albers, Ph.D., creator of the 4-acre Albers Vista Garden in Bremerton, Wash., will help to counteract some of this tree-cutting frenzy. “The Northwest Garden Manifesto” makes the case for working with Mother Nature, not against her. Albers begins by offering down- to-earth — literally — advice to help folks evaluate their existing yard: the soil composition, the drainage char- acteristics, and the sunny and shady areas. Step by step, he shows how to create a site map, which involves considerations such as microclimates, plant inventory and maintenance requirements. Then, chapter by chapter, he dis- cusses each of the significant factors that leads to making a garden vital “The Northwest Garden Manifesto” By John J. Albers, Ph.D. Skipstone 224 pp $24.95 and sustainable. He begins with soil, and a really fascinating tour of the microorgan- isms that live there — did you know that soil contains at least a quarter of all life forms on our planet? It’s a very industrious community of decomposers and nutrient transform- ers, yet many of these creatures can’t even be seen by the human eye. Albers devotes a few pages to composting and mulching — this is really something that is simple enough for just about anybody to undertake. When you compost, you not only reduce the solid waste that goes into landfills, but you also make the microfauna at your place happy to stick around and be productive — a double win! The next chapter is devoted to trees and the crucial environmental, economic and social benefits they offer. If you don’t already have trees in your garden, Albers gives tips on identifying good sites for tree planting, and he demonstrates — with images taken by Northwest garden photographer David E. Perry — exactly how to plant a tree, and then how to maintain and prune it correctly over time. Spring Break Family Kite Fun March 18 – April 15 In this and following sections, the book includes photos and descrip- tions of plants recommended for Northwest gardens. These are divided into native and non-native selections, and there is also information on their hardiness, site preferences, seasonal attributes and the types of pollinators they attract. Sometimes working in concert with Mother Nature means creating shelter belts — layered plantings that provide beauty for you while giving shelter and sustenance to wildlife. Other times, it means rooting out the thugs. This is rarely easy, but it’s something we can’t be complacent about when invasive non-native species (ivy, Scotch broom — I’m lookin’ at you!) are allowed to choke out the native flora, local wildlife are deprived of essential food and habitat. But Albers also has information that can make some of your garden- ing chores easier via integrated pest management, weed suppression and watering methods. “The Northwest Garden Manifes- to” offers both practical advice and encouragement on restoring biodi- versity and creating beauty — a good combination! The Bookmonger is Barbara Lloyd McMichael, who writes this weekly column focusing on the books, authors and publishers of the Pacific North- west. Contact her at bkmonger@ nwlink.com Grace Episcopal Preschool A Montessori Based School Admission includes Family Trivia Game for Long Beach Business Coupons Enroll Today! and MAKE A KITE CANNON BEACH — Numerous 12 Days of Earth Day events take place April 11 through 22 in Cannon Beach. Participants can celebrate the return of the tufted puffins to Haystack Rock. Haystack Rock Awareness Program staff and volunteers provide envi- ronmental interpretation and puffin-viewing stations. Events include a Friends of Haystack Rock talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 11; tree plantings; a beach cleanup coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce; free Cannon Beach Arts Association and HRAP marine debris jewelry-making class; guided tours and hikes; a shred event; community potluck on Friday, April 20; a “Pets and People” Walking Parade and a Street Fair where different environmental groups will share ideas. The third annual 12 Days of Earth Day Marine Debris Art Contest takes on a new look. It will take place during the 12 Days celebration Participants who love beachcombing, creativity and stewardship are encouraged to participate beginning on Wednesday, April 11. The theme is “A Collabora- LISA HABECKER PHOTO 2017’s Puffin Welcome by Hay- stack Rock tion for our Earth.” Participants will build pieces of art (in a 12-inch-by-12-inch square) in teams, which will then be put together at the potluck to create a larger piece of 6-foot-by-6- foot art. The larger art piece, conceptualized by local artist Joe Adams, will be donated to the community. For a schedule, go to www. TwelveDaysofEarthDay.com. For questions, contact Barb Knop at bknop@pacifier.com or Melissa Keyser, HRAP co- ordinator at 503-436-8060, or hrap@ci.cannon-beach.or.us. Astor Street Opry Company Presents 2018 S ee H ow T Hey R un by Philip King A Hilarious Farce Directed By Edward James 7pm • Fri & Sat • March 30 th - April 28 th Sunday Matinees • April 8 th & 22 nd at 2pm Tickets: $20/Front Row • $15/General Call the ASOC Box Office at 503-325-6104 Astor Street Opry Company 129 W. Bond Street Come see the Kite Poster Gallery and the Museum Theater! World Kite Museum 303 Sid Snyder Drive 360-642-4020 • worldkitemuseum.com 12 Days of Earth Day www.GraceAstoria.org 503-325-4691 www.astorstreetoprycompany.com “See How They Run” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
