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WWW.I DAHO C OUNTY F REE P RESS . COM
October 21, 2015
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IDAHO COUNTY FREE PRESS
interizing North Central Idaho
Fear of
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015
HERE’S A TIP: MOW LEAVES, DON’T RAKE
Frost
Keep garden growing through fall’s chill
he fear of frost and failure doesn't have to stop you from enjoying a fruitful fall garden. With the right plant choices and a few tricks, producing a hefty harvest can be easy.
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A few facts about frost Frost occurs when temperatures drop enough to condense and freeze the moisture in the air. In fall, when air temperatures sink, it's common to find frost layering the ground, leaves and crops. Frost may occur frequently in the fall before the ground really becomes frozen - known as a hard freeze. While a hard freeze generally heralds the end of the growing season and frost can harm warm weather crops like oranges, some veggies actually do very well and taste better - when nipped by frost. By stocking your fall garden with frost-loving varieties, you can ensure your garden remains victorious and bountiful right up to the first hard freeze. When you consider the many advantages of fall gardening, frost shouldn't be feared. Cooler temperatures mean you'll have a more comfortable experience while working in the garden, and you'll have fewer insect pests and weeds to deal with.
FREE PRESS / DAVID RAUZI
Mow, don’t rake, those fall leaves. This will save you time and improve your lawn. The leaves add organic matter and nutrients to the soil. As long as you can see the grass leaves through the shredded leaves your lawn will be fine. Or shred and collect the leaves in your bagger and add them to your compost, dig into annual gardens to improve the soil, or use as mulch around perennials in the garden.
Energy, assistance info by mail this year for area H&W clients
Frost-friendly choices Clear out the remnants of summer plantings and debris and get the ground ready for fall favorites like spinach, cabbage, collards and kale. These hearty, leafy vegetables actually like the chilly weather and can stand up to some frost. Certain root veggies, such as radishes and turnips, also do well in cooler temperatures. All are packed with nutrients, so you can plant them knowing you'll be filling your dinner table with fresh, nutritious, great-tasting veggies this fall.
Get a good start When planning your fall garden, time is of the essence. Start with well-established, vigorous plants. Starting out with more mature plants not only allows you to get your fall garden growing faster, it helps ensure your vegetables are strong enough to endure unexpected or extreme temperature variations. And remember to choose short-season varieties that will produce quicker in fall's shorter growing season.
When frost arrives Growing veggies in the right spot can make a big difference. Choose a location for your garden that gets plenty of sun, especially in the morning when you'll want plants to quickly shake off overnight chill. Planting in a raised bed also helps insulate plants and their tender roots from ground freezes. Container gardens are also great for fall; when a severe frost or hard freeze threatens, you can bring plants inside, overnight for protection. Sometimes you may want to cover plants against extreme cold. One option is a cold frame. Typically constructed of wood and glass or plastic, the frame sits over plants like a portable mini greenhouse. You can build your own - an online search will yield plenty of how-to plans - or purchase a prefabricated one. For less severe situations, turning a pot or bucket upside down over tender young plants can be enough to shield them from cold.
BY LORIE PALMER IDAHO COUNTY FREE PRESS ondering where that information is on heating and winterization? This year, local Health and Welfare clients will be contacted directly about energy and weatherization assistance programs offered through Community Action Partnership (CAP). Energy assistance helps income-eligible persons with electricity, propane, oil and wood heat. Household eligibility is based on income and benefit amounts are determined by the household’s historical energy usage.
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In addition, CAP manages a weatherization program year round for income-eligible families within Idaho’s 10 northernmost counties including Idaho County. This program is designed to reduce heating and cooling costs for incomeeligible families, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities and children, by improving energy efficiency within their homes while addressing health and safety concerns. This program provides energy efficiency measures that are tailored to each home and are designed for maximum cost-savings in energy conservation. “There are a lot of changes this year, includ-
Have paperwork ready Applicants must be prepared to provide the following information at the time of their application: • Names and birth dates for all household members • Proof of social security numbers for all household members (SS cards or statement from SSA) • Heating energy vendor name and account number (bulk fuel, gas or electric bill) • Electric vendor name and account number (electric bill) • Verification of residence address (bill with home address) • Income verification for the previous 3 months by pay date, not pay period (pay stubs, SS/SSI award letters, etc.)
ing the fact that Idaho Health and Welfare will be providing a list to mail out a notice to all their clients who are eligible because of the services they already receive,” explained Sharon Presnell in the Lewiston office. Anyone whose address is current in the system who is receiving food stamp assistance should receive a notice in the mail that tells
them how to apply. “We expect to serve 5,000-6,000 people in our region in 30 days time,” Presnell said. In Grangeville in 2015, approximately 270 people were helped through the CAP energy assistance program. Another 200 in the Kamiah area were given assistance. CAP offices are present in both those communities. No appointments will be necessary as the mailing will provide paperwork to be returned. CAP will start with seniors and the disabled, then those with children 5 and younger. No help will be offered until Nov. 1. For those not in the system or new to the area, office appointments will begin in January 2016. CAP’s energy auditors are skilled, state-certified professionals who are trained to conserve energy and save money. The measures which may be addressed fall into five major categories including health and safety, heating efficiency, infiltration, conduction and repairs. • For income guidelines and other details on CAP’s programs, log onto WWW. CAP4ACTION.ORG. Applications for CAP programs are also available on-line. In Grangeville the CAP office is located at 117 West North Street, 983-0437. In Kamiah, 615 4th Street, 935-2412.
Run over vehicle checklist before winter Replace your windshield wipers: Motorists should replace their front and back window wiper blades every six months. After the extreme heat of this past summer, wiper blades are likely to be dried out and brittle and won’t clear the windshield adequately. Check your tire pressure: As the temperature drops, so will the pressure in your tires. This can make for unsafe conditions and reduces fuel efficiency. Prepare a winter driving kit: This should include: food, water, flashlight with fresh batteries, small snow shovel and brush, traction mats, ice scraper, booster cables, warm blanket, flares or triangle warning devices, heavy gloves, window washing solvent and first aid kit.
Check the level of your engine oil: Top off if you’re low and have it changed based on the recommendation in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Clean your battery terminals: Wearing gloves and eye protection, use a solution of baking soda and water to loosen up corrosion and clean with a wire brush.
Clean your windows and lights. Increase your safety by cleaning the windows inside and out and your headlights and taillights. Check your lights: Make sure none of your light bulbs have burned out, including your emergency and interior lights. Make sure your gas cap seals: A loose gas cap can reduce your fuel efficiency and cause a warning light to turn on. Consider buying tire chains: If you don’t have all-season tires and will likely have to drive in the snow this year, it’s a good idea to purchase tire chains. Read your vehicle’s owner’s manual: This will tell you when maintenance should be scheduled on your vehicle and the specs of your tire pressure, tire size, engine oil, etc.