Thursday, November 14, 2019

Garden Things to Do in November



This is the time to plant spring flowering bulbs.

Now is a great time to plant bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus, checkered lily, snowdrop(galanthus), trillium and hyacinth. Plant bulbs at a depth 3 times the height of the bulb. Planting in layers works well with the tulips and daffodils planted the deepest, then hyacinth and finished off with crocus. Mix in some Dutch iris with their slender stems and pretty flowers. 

Garlic can be planted now for summer harvesting.

Plant or transplant trees and shrubs 

The soil is still warm, this helps the roots to spread out and get comfy in their new home. The fall and winter rains help to water them in without hand watering.  

Mulch berries

Grow a cover crop on your garden area

Plant crimson clover, fava beans, lana vetch, winter wheat or barley to add nutrients to the soil, help prevent soil compacting and loss of soil to runoff. 

If not growing a cover crop mulch the area using 3" to 5" of leaves, rake off in spring before planting. 

Drain sprinkler systems and hoses

Plan for next years garden and flower beds

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 


 


Saturday, October 26, 2019

Halloween and everyday safety tips for homes

Sweep and Declutter 

Driveway, walkways and porch

Sweep the walkways and porches clean of leaves and twigs, they can be slippery and trippy. Pick up hoses, toys and bikes from yard, driveway, walking paths and porch. Keep candle-lit pumpkins away from stairs and walkways, they can be a fire hazard for costumes, pets and visitors tripping and tipping over. Battery operated candles are safer than candles and can last longer.



Light it up and be careful opening the door to strangers

Keep walkways and porch well lit for guests and trick or treaters and to discourage pranksters and vandals. If you are unsure of person at the door do not open it. I use the window near the front door to speak to people that I do not know that come to the house. That way you do not have to open the door and it would be harder for someone to force their way into the window rather than the door.

Secure pets

Close pets in a room or crate to keep them from escaping while answering the door for visitors and trick or treaters. Costumes and strangers can be scary for pets. If they are like my pets, the doorbell is pretty scary, too. Keep their collars with ID tags on and make sure their micro chip info is up to date just in case they escape and are running loose in the neighborhood.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!









Thursday, October 24, 2019

Albany, Corvallis and Philomath Halloween activities


Halloween things to do in Albany:

Trolley of Terror & Haunted Monteith House @ Monteith House
October 18th through 26th
Tickets on sale NOW – The Monteith Society is once again hosting a fun and spooky historical experience: a candlelit tour of the Monteith House Museum and ride on the Trolley of Terror. Climb aboard the Trolley of Terror and hear stories from Albany’s past as you ride through the Historic District’s haunted places. Tours begin at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm on October 18th,19th, 25th and 26th. Tickets may be purchased at Albany Visitors Association Monday – Friday 9 a.m.

Albany Downtown Trick or Treat & Costume Contest
@ Historic Downtown Albany Oregon
October 26th 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Celebrate Halloween in Downtown Albany with safe and friendly Trick-or-Treating on Saturday, Oct. 26th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trick-or-treating starts at 11 a.m. Just look for the orange and black balloons marking the participating merchants. Dental care treat bags from Pediatric Dental Associates will be available at the Albany Downtown Association office, 126 Ferry Street SW.

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Halloween things to do in Corvallis:

 Haunted Corn Maze



Every year the Melon Shack hosts a daily corn maze and a haunted corn maze on weekend nights, along with a pumpkin patch and hayrides.
Corn Maze: The Melon Shack's corn maze is perfect for kids and families. It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Sept. 28, through Halloween. Admission is $5, and free for kids three years old and under.
Haunted Maze (Open Oct. 4): The Melon Shack's haunted maze takes their corn maze and kicks it up a notch for spooky evening fun. It's open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., starting Oct. 4 and running through Oct. 31, with a special Haunted Corn Maze on Halloween night. Admission is $12 on Friday and Saturday and $10 on Sunday.
Pumpkin Patch and Hayrides: The Melon Shack's Pumpkin Patch is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hayrides are available on the weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.


Halloween Swim Fun
 

Spooky Splash!


You're invited to Osborn Aquatic Center on the spookiest night of the year to show off your costume, play games, make crafts, and make a spooky splash!

Fee: Regular admission rates apply

Osborn Aquatic Center, 1940 NW Highland Dr
 
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Halloween things to do in Philomath: