SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2021 | 7A
How to prepare a garden for spring planting
T
he first few weeks of
spring are still chilly
in many parts of the world.
Despite those last vestiges
of winter chills, now is a
great time to begin prepar-
ing gardens for the coming
planting season.
Gardens may have to
withstand months of harsh
weather each winter, and
such conditions can take a
toll. Gardeners can consid-
er the following tips as they
try to restore their gardens
and get them ready for
spring planting.
• Disinfect your tools. It’s
common to clean tools in
late fall or whenever they’re
typically placed in storage
for the winter. But clean-
ing and disinfecting are not
necessarily the same thing.
If tools were not dis-
infected at the end
of the previous gar-
dening season, dis-
infect them before
doing any work on
the garden. Doing
so can ensure any
lingering bacteria
or fungi on tool sur-
faces are killed prior
to the beginning of
gardening season.
According to the
University of Min-
nesota Extension,
plant
pathogens,
including bacteria
and viruses, can be trans-
ferred to and infect plants
through bits of soil and
plant debris left on shovels
and pruner blades. Thor-
oughly disinfecting such
tools prior to using them in
the spring is a great way to
reduce the risk of disease in
your garden.
• Clear debris from gar-
den beds. Leaves, twigs,
sticks, and other debris
may have gathered in the
garden over the winter.
Such debris can inhibit the
growth of plants and vege-
tables, so make sure all of
it is removed prior
to planting. Weeds
might even begin
to sprout up in late
winter and early
spring, so remove
them before they go
to seed.
• Test the soil.
Testing the soil pri-
or to planting can
help gardeners de-
termine what their
gardens will need to
thrive in the com-
ing months. Garden
centers and home
improvement stores
sell home testing kits that
are effective and easy to
use. Once the results are in,
speak with a professional
at your local garden cen-
ter about the best time to
PREVENT from page 1A
Families for Children is
the Mommy Mentor pro-
gram, where new moms
are paired with more ex-
perienced moms who lend
support during the first
year or so of a baby’s life.
Mommy Mentors make
themselves available a cou-
ple of times per month to
help the new mom with
advice, housework, free
time, appointments, trans-
portation, etc.
“By easing some of the
stresses of having a new
baby, Mommy Mentors
promote the well-being of
new moms, which in turn
supports the healthy devel-
opment of their infants,”
explained Mann-Heintz.
“It’s a win-win-win. Safe
Families for Children vol-
unteers provide one more
strand in that safety net of
prevention to reduce child
abuse and neglect by 90
percent by the year 2030.”
Anyone interested in
learning more about the
program or volunteering
amend the soil.
• Loosen compacted soil.
Soil can become compact-
ed over winter. If compact-
ed soil is not loosened pri-
or to planting, plants will
have a hard time getting
the water and nutrients
they need to thrive. Loos-
ening the soil also provides
another opportunity to in-
spect the garden for any
underlying issues, such
as fungi or weed growth,
that you may have missed
when clearing debris or
testing the soil.
Late winter is a good
time to assess a garden
and address any issues that
developed over the winter
so plants and vegetables
can thrive come the spring
planting season.
can contact Mann-Heintz
by email at Suzanne@
safeshelterforsiuslawstu-
dents.org or by calling
541-590-0779.
SIUSLAW PUBLIC LIBRARY
BROWSING IS BACK!
stay at home anymore and
needs a safe place to live
while continuing their
schooling.
“All placements are tem-
porary and voluntary, with
Host Homes made up of
volunteers who receive
training provided by the
program — with every-
one’s goal to keep children
safe and keep families to-
gether,” Mann-Heintz said.
Another program of Safe
No appointment needed.
All ages welcome.
Masks required.
Florence: Monday-Thursday 11 AM - 2 PM
Friday 11 AM - 6 PM
Mapleton: Thursdays 12-5 PM.
Walk-ins with limited capacity;
no public computers.
541-997-3132
WWW.SIUSLAWLIBRARY.ORG
Buying or Selling? I can help.
SWANSON’S PEST MANAGEMENT
Get Results...List With Melody.
INSPECT – CORRECT – PROTECT
Melody Beaudro
Principal Broker
541 991-2151
SUSTAINED PEST MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
FOR YOUR HOME AND BUSINESS
Shoreline Dr #131 – Wonder-
ful ocean views on buildable
land in the Kla-Ha-Nee devel-
opment. A private gated com-
munity of high-end oceanfront
and ocean view houses.
Walk to the ocean, breathe
the fresh air, and take in the
natural beauty. Utilities at
the lot line; septic approved.
$268,500. #3138-20332598
SOME OF THE PESTS THAT WE TREAT:
Brian Jagoe
Principal Broker
541 999-1314
ANTS • COCKROACHES • FLEAS • RODENTS
BIRDS • BEDBUGS • STORED PRODUCTS PESTS
BEES/WASPS • GOPHERS
541-997-4027
1-800-622-8993
91 Windleaf Way – This is a great opportunity
to build your home close to the beach, in a great
community of very nice homes. $63,000. #2797-
18615048
Visit our Website:
www.swansonspm.com
“Since 1983”
1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200
1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200
Since 1983
Alva Bracey
NOTICE
Broker
Your goals are my
top priority.
Let’s get together!
LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS
Tires • Brakes • Shocks
Alignments
4325 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
541-997-7178
Cell: 541-505-1180
Alva@CBCoast.com
Insect & Pest Removal
Trapping • Mole/Gopher
Dead Animal Removal • Honey Bee Removal
Crawl Space Cleaning • Exclusion Work
Fumigation of Antiques and Commodities.
541-997-7777
100 Hwy. 101,
Florence, OR
(541) 997-4027
COAST REAL ESTATE
ESTATE JEWELRY AND
ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!!
Call 541-997-8104,
Florence Antiques
&
Coast Jewelers
Us TOO Florence
MODEL TRAIN
ENTHUSIASTS
We buy, sell and consign quality
estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture.
Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with
precious & semi precious stones.
We’re buying used cars,
trucks and SUV’s.
Any make or model,
paid for or not.
Call, Text or Email
Auto, Home, Life, Business
Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance
Phone (541) 997-9497
1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence
Prostate Cancer Education
Support on the Oregon Coast
www.ustooflorence.org
BOTH MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD.
WATCH SIUSLAW NEWS FOR RESUMPTION
• Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday)
5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends.
• Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday)
12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese
Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends.
Over
ars
50 Ye ce!
rien
Expe
CALL ME TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE!
I’M LOCATED HERE IN FLORENCE.
541-255-9822 - Larry
Contact Bob for more information:
(H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239
maribob@oregonfast.net
landl316@live.com
Please call today for quote.
All quotes by appointment only.
Johnston Motor Company
Since 1939
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
Screening Presented by:
Siuslaw News & City Lights Cinemas
EARTH DAY
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
Three Showings @ City Lights Cinema
1:00pm • 4:00pm • 7:00pm
Tickets are FREE*
SPONSORED BY:
IL E
M
CEN
T
(54 R
1
RV
541-997-8233
5
SE
IC
) 902-75
L
SA
PO 4
COAST DIS
AL
E W I TH A S
Admission tickets are required and
available starting April 1st
at City Lights Cinemas
1930 Highway 101 or
online www.citylightscinemas.com
*Only 100 tickets available. First come, fi rst served,.
Masks Required when not eating food or drinking • Social Distance when not with your group
Hand Sanitizer Station available • Enhanced Cleaning Protocols in place