Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 28, 2015 9A
Polk County Living
Try starting perennials from seed
When perusing spring
seed catalogs, don’t pass on
perennials. These long-lived
plants require a bit more
commitment than annuals,
but provide pleasure year
after year.
“Annuals are essentially
programmed to rush, rush,
rush,” said Brooke Ed-
munds, horticulturist with
Oregon State University’s Ex-
tension Service. “They grow,
flower and set seed within
the first season and are gone.
Most perennials put energy
into growing a strong root
system and foliage before
flowering the following year,
but then last much longer.”
The same guidelines for
starting annuals from seed
apply to perennials, except
that some varieties may need
a period of chill, soaking,
scratching, breaking or nick-
ing of the seed coat. The
back of seed packages will let
you know if that’s necessary.
Germination is a key time
for all types of plants, ac-
cording to OSU Extension
horticulturist Weston Miller.
K YM
P OKORNY
Your
Garden
“During this fragile time in
the life of a plant, it’s critical
that seeds receive appropri-
ate amounts of water, oxygen
and light,” he said. “At this
point, starting seeds can be-
come a balancing act.”
To get seeds off to a good
start, make sure the soil mix-
ture is light and fluffy. Buy a
product made for seeds,
Miller advised, and never
use soil dug from the yard,
which is too dense and
could contain fungi that
cause the common disease
called damping off. Once
seedlings are infected, they
wither and die.
In addition to using good
quality growing medium, it’s
important to keep the soil
from getting too wet or cold.
For best results, grow
seedlings in an area kept
above 65 degrees, Edmunds
said. Moisten the soil before
planting and then water
with a spray bottle frequent-
ly but not to the point of sat-
uration. When the seedlings
come up, use a water drop-
per or even a turkey baster to
water.
Keep seedlings in a south-
facing window or use grow
lights hung within 2 inches
of the plant, raising them as
they grow. If in a window,
turn frequently so starts
don’t get leggy from leaning
toward the light. Be sure to
pinch out the smallest
plants, leaving room for the
strongest to thrive. Once
substantial enough to plant
outside, harden them off by
taking outside for a few
hours daily for a week.
“People may think that all
seeds need to be started in-
doors,” she said, “but many
perennials, such as viola,
blanket flower, black-eyed
Susan and sea thrift, can be
directly sowed into the gar-
den and you can skip that
step altogether.”
Besides being easy to seed
outdoors, blanket flower
(Gaillardia aristata) is a fa-
vorite of Edmunds because
it blooms the first year and
sports attractive seed heads
for winter interest. Black-
eyed Susan (Rudbeckia
hirta) appeals because of its
prolific nature and the vari-
ety of colors available, from
sunny yellow to butterscotch
to red. Among her other pre-
ferred perennials is the easy-
to-grow, vibrantly colored
penstemon (Penstemon
hartwegii) that’s irresistible
to hummingbirds and the
statuesque lupine (Lupinus).
Direct seeding perennials
couldn’t be easier. Follow
package directions for
planting depth and spacing
and keep moist, Edmunds
said. She suggested using a
light fabric cover to keep
moisture in.
For more information,
check out Extension’s guides
to Producing Transplants at
Home and Propagating
Plants From Seed.
MI TOWN
The calendar shows that
we’re closing in on the end of
January, but the blue skies
and moderate temperatures
— at press time at least —
are more in line with March
or April.
Our recent rainstorms
have taken their toll here
and there, but so far (fingers
crossed) we’ve had no snow
or ice incidents here in MI
Town or the surrounding
area. There have been some
frosty windshields of late,
and a need to bundle up for
early morning walks, but
nothing we can’t handle.
—
The Polk County Board of
Commissioners hosted an
interesting public meeting at
the Monmouth Public Li-
brary on Jan. 21, where we
were presented with infor-
P ATTY
T AYLOR
D UTCHER
Columnist
mation about the need for
funding for a public safety
tax initiative.
Everyone was given the
opportunity to express their
thoughts — both pro and
con — regarding this pro-
posal. Funding from this
bond would help fund the
sheriff’s and district attor-
ney’s offices and provide ad-
ditional dollars to communi-
ty corrections.
One of the greatest things
about living in our country
— and especially in MI Town
— is the opportunity to
speak out on our concerns
and share our ideas with
others in an atmosphere
where there is civil discourse
and discussion, and that our
concerns are heard by elect-
ed officials.
—
Valentine’s Day will be
here soon, and the Silver-
wood Strings are presenting a
free concert Feb. 15 at 3 p.m.
at Faith Lutheran Church on
the S-curves. Enjoy an after-
noon of classical, sacred, pop
and jazz music that will be
followed by wonderful
desserts and beverages. For
tickets, contact Lyn Jobe at
503-551-3648 or via email to
monmouth01jb@msn.com.
You can reserve up to four
tickets.
—
A fun and interesting
group of women has been
getting together at the Mon-
mouth Senior Center every
weekday morning at 7:30 for
an hour or so of yoga, fol-
lowed by coffee and conver-
sation. We’re always looking
for new friends to share our
class; just bring a yoga mat
and your enthusiasm, and
wear comfortable clothes.
We’re a hate-free, politics-
free and fragrance-free
bunch … and the class is
free, too.
If you prefer yoga later in
the day, come to Yoga in the
Hopyard at Rogue Ales on
Wigrich Road on the last
Wednesday of every month
(this evening) at 6 p.m. Bring
your yoga mat and have a
great time. There is no cost
for the class.
PEDEE NEWS
Sam Guida passed away
early Thursday morning.
They had come home from
Oregon Health & Science
University in Portland the
week before with hospice
services and support from
family and friends.
Never losing his sense of
humor, Sam called the time
at home his “pre-wake,” and
loved, and was touched by,
the visits, calls and emails by
so many.
His wife, Judy, was so glad
that they could honor his
wishes of spending his last
days at home enjoying com-
panionship, love, humor and
A RLENE
K OVASH
Columnist
the home that he designed
and built.
—
Shawn and Trina Brother-
ton, their 8-year-old daugh-
ter Kalina and 5-year-old
son Kindan spent their vaca-
tion with friends Fred and
Karen of Corvallis at their
time share in Nuevo Vallarta,
Mexico, north of Puerto Val-
larta. They had the whole
week from Jan. 9-16 to swim
in the pool, lay and play on
the beach, try amazing food
at resort restaurants and —
Trina’s personal favorite —
swim with the dolphins.
Kalina liked the geckos.
—
As secretary of American
Agri-Women (AAW), I at-
tended an executive com-
mittee retreat with six other
women from around the
U.S. at the home of AAW
president Sue McCrum Jan.
16-17. She and her husband
Jay live on Penobscot Bay on
24 hour
Service
the Atlantic Ocean near
Belfast, Maine.
It sounds crazy to meet in
Maine in January, but that
was an experience I’ve never
had — and I loved it. The
weather was very cold (8 de-
grees one day and 17 de-
grees the other), but clear
and beautiful, their home
warm, the lobsters and mus-
sels delicious, the women
amazing, and the meetings
productive.
Interesting observation:
people in freezing Maine
seemed to wear hats as often
as Oregonians carry their
umbrellas.
Pick up &
Drop Off
TALKS
Deadline: Friday, Feb. 6
Publishes:
Wednesday, Feb. 18
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ENGAGEMENTS
Broadus-Keck
Hilary Broadus of Dallas and Ian Keck of Rickreall are
planning a July wedding.
The bride-to-be is the daughter of Tony and Jennifer
Broadus of Dallas. Her fiancé is the son of Tom and Maggie
Keck of Rickreall.
Hilary is a 2010 gradu-
a t e o f Da l l a s Hi g h
School. She is attending
George Fox University in
Newberg, where she will
graduate in April with a
bachelor’s degree in
nursing. Hilary currently
works as a barista at
Union Block Coffee in
McMinnville.
Ian is also a 2010 graduate of Dallas High School. He
graduated in 2014 from Seattle University with a bachelor’s
degree in biochemistry. Ian is currently employed as a re-
search assistant at Oregon Health & Sciences University in
Portland.
The wedding is set for July 18 at St. Philip Catholic
Church in Dallas.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Itemizer-Observer publishes engagement, wedding, an-
niversary (in five-year increments starting with the 25th), birth,
military and milestone birthday (90th, 95th, 100th, etc.) an-
nouncements for their community news value. The deadline for
items to be submitted is Thursday at 4 p.m. for consideration in
the following Wednesday’s edition.
Announcement forms are available online at www.polkio.com
or by visiting the Itemizer-Observer office at 147 SE Court St. in
downtown Dallas.
Photographs may accompany engagement, wedding, an-
niversary and milestone birthday announcements. They should
be submitted at the same time as the announcement.
Announcements, like all news printed in the Itemizer-Observ-
er, are subject to editing for style, content and length. Due to
space constraints, no publication date can be guaranteed.
We want to express our appreciation for the
outpouring of love, caring and thoughtfulness
in the loss of Bob, our husband, father,
grandfather and great-grandfather.
We are humbled by the number of people who have
expressed their condolences, offered their support,
attended the celebration of his life and made
contributions in his name.
Thank you all and God bless you.
— The Van Elverdinghe Family
We would like to thank our community of
origin for all of the support and comfort we
have received through the loss of our son, Brett.
The measure of love and generosity that has
reached our hearts is astounding. May kindness
return to you in the same beautiful way that it
was given.
With deep appreciation,
Bob and Penny Norman and family.
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Serving Polk County 16yrs
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Saturday,
March 7
10AM
to 10PM
Polk County Fairgrounds
& Event Center
Matinees are all shows
before 6pm. New pricing for
matinees are: Adult $7.25
Children $6.75 • Senior $7.00
Pricing does not reflect
3D showings.
Friday and Saturday Jan 30 - Jan 31
MORTDECAI (Digital) (R)
(11:45 4:40)
THEORY OF EVERYTHING (Digital) (PG13)
(2:00) 7:00
WHIPLASH (Digital) (R)
(12:05 2:25 4:50) 7:20
IMITATION GAME (Digital) (PG13)
(11:35 2:00 4:35) 7:10
PROJECT ALMANAC (Digital) (PG13)
(12:00 2:30 5:00) 7:30
AMERICAN SNIPER (Digital) (R)
(12:45 3:45) 6:45
BOY NEXT DOOR (Digital) (R)
(1:00 3:05 5:20) 7:45
PADDINGTON (Digital) (PG)
(1:05 3:10 5:25) 7:35
DISNEY’S STRANGE MAGIC (Digital) (PG) (11:40 2:05 4:25) 6:50
TAKEN 3 (Digital) (PG13)
Sunday February 1
(11:45 4:40)
MORTDECAI (Digital) (R)
THEORY OF EVERYTHING (Digital) (PG13)
(2:00) 7:00
WHIPLASH (Digital) (R)
(12:05 2:25 4:50) 7:20
IMITATION GAME (Digital) (PG13)
(11:35 2:00 4:35) 7:10
PROJECT ALMANAC (Digital) (PG13)
(12:00 2:30 5:00) 7:30
AMERICAN SNIPER (Digital) (R)
(12:45 3:45) 6:45
BOY NEXT DOOR (Digital) (R)
(1:00 3:05 5:20) 7:45
PADDINGTON (Digital) (PG)
(1:05 3:10 5:25) 7:35
DISNEY’S STRANGE MAGIC (Digital) (PG) (11:40 2:05 4:25) 6:50
Monday through Thursday Feb 2 - Feb 5
(4:40)
MORTDECAI (Digital) (R)
THEORY OF EVERYTHING (Digital) (PG13)
(2:00) 7:00
WHIPLASH (Digital) (R)
(2:25 4:50) 7:20
IMITATION GAME (Digital) (PG13)
(2:00 4:35) 7:10
PROJECT ALMANAC (Digital) (PG13)
(2:30 5:00) 7:30
AMERICAN SNIPER (Digital) (R)
(12:45 3:45) 6:45
BOY NEXT DOOR (Digital) (R)
(1:00 3:05 5:20) 7:45
PADDINGTON (Digital) (PG)
(1:05 3:10 5:25) 7:35
DISNEY’S STRANGE MAGIC (Digital) (PG)
(2:05 4:25) 6:50
• Live Music & Dance • Performing Arts • Ethnic Food
• Kid Area • Acoustic Music Jamming Area
• Rogue Farms Beer & Airlie Wine Garden
Information & full details: www.polkcountyfolklife.com
9:30
9:40
9:40
9:45
9:35
9:50
9:35
9:00
SUNDAY, FEB. 1 ST
HOURS: 9-3
EARLY ADMISSION SUNDAY 6AM-9AM $5
REGULAR ADMISSION $1 ★ FREE PARKING
ESPRESSO BAR PROVIDED BY
JOIN US AT THE POLK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.
WWW.POLKFLEAMARKET.COM
POLKPRODUCTION@MINETFIBER.COM