0330 qvpr 09

2016

Spring

Home & Garden

Pest Control Tips

Planting Guide

Firewise Landscaping

Page 2

Pages 6-7

Page 8

City of Quincy Compost Facility Summer hours

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 18655 Road 9 NW 10:15am-1:45pm then again 3:15-6:45pm Quincy, WA Compost can be purchased at city hall & then picked up at the facility.

Compost facility accepts only yard waste, such as grass, leaves, prunings & branches under 7 ft long. It does not accept lumber, concrete, dirt or household waste or garbage.

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Home & Garden

THE QUINCY VALLEY

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Non-invasive steps to pest control

BY JILL FITZSIMMONS editor@qvpr.com Could you be using too many pesticides in your battle to keep insects and other pests out of your home?

Many people may be doing just that, said pest control expert David Kaylor, founder and lead technician for Harvest Valley Pest Control in Quincy.

Instead, Kaylor prefers a more proactive approach to pest management.

"You need to figure out why the pests are there in the first place," he said.

Kaylor points to four common problems found in most homes that create an open invitation to insects and pests.

Moisture Moisture in the home is the No. 1 source of pest problems, Kaylor said.

However, often times it can go undetected.

Moisture may come from small leaks, condensation or even a past flooding issue. Termites and other common wood-destroying pests need moisture and high humidity to survive -- and multiply.

"It's an invite card to insects," Kaylor said of moisture.

Kaylor suggests homeowners have their crawl spaces inspected annually. An inspector will look for pools of water or moisture, mold or mildew, and poor ventilation.

In a pest inspection, it's not uncommon to find a heating duct that's been disconnected or a dryer vent that is venting into a crawl space, Kaylor said. And that just leads to the wet, warm environment that pests are looking for, he said.

Jill FitzSimmons/Post-Register

David Kaylor of Harvest Valley Pest Control points to common problems found in most homes that can invite pests indoors. By looking at the moisture in your home, potential pest food sources, and access and harborage issues, homeowners should be able to tackle their pest control problems using less pesticide, he said.

Food Sources Odorous house ants, more commonly called sugar ants, are one of the hardest pests to get rid of, Kaylor said.

So don't make it any easier for them.

Keeping a clean home can go a long way in gaining more control over sugar ants, mice and other pests, Kaylor said.

That means storing food in sealed plastic or glass containers, placing food scraps in tightly covered trash cans and removing garbage regularly from your home.

Clutter also provides places for pests to breed and hide, making it

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harder to get rid of them. So toss out or recycle such things as newspapers, magazines or cardboard.

Don't forget about unlikely food sources, such as pet food, Kaylor added. Some people feed their pets outside. Keeping pet food up against the house leads pests not only to a food source but also into your home.

"Keep pet food tidy and neat," he said.

Access If you don't want insects and rodents moving into your home, then don't leave the door open, so to speak.

Denying access to pests means mak-

ing sure that your home and all its cracks and crevices are sealed.

Look for those small, open spaces that a pest may easily use to access your home, Kaylor said. For example, up to 85 percent of the homes he visits, he can see light coming through that space where the garage door meets the floor of your garage, Kaylor said.

That's a welcome mat for many pests.

In crawl spaces, a vent screen that's been knocked in is another likely entrance. Often times, a plumber or cable television technician leaves small, open spaces around plumbing and cables. Cracks and crevices along doors, cabinets or baseboards also are tiny entryways.

These are all invitations to rodents and pests to come into your home, Kaylor said. And when you get one rodent in the home, it's droppings attract others to the home, he added.

"Then you don't have a mouse in the house, you have an infestation," he said.

Kaylor reminds homeowners that caulk or foam sealant work well in sealing up these access points.

Harborage Providing harborage to pests means you have created an area around your home where a pest may live or nest.

Any foliage leaning up against a house offers harborage to such pests as ants, spiders and mice, Kaylor said.

Those decorative bushes lining the front of your home may be lovely, but they may also be home to spiders, including the poisonous black widow spider common to this area, Kaylor

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Home & Garden

Consider sun, wind when planting

BY NANCY RICHARDSON Emerald Desert Nursery When planting berms and garden beds, some of the most frequently asked questions that come from customers are about what drought-tolerant plants can take a beating from our winds and what plants work together to offer multi-season color or interest.

To answer these questions, it is important to evaluate the planting areas available, taking into account the exposure of sun or shade, wind frequency and soil character.

Southern and western exposures potentially require more drought-tolerant plants; however, shade, whether from a tree or building, can be overlooked at times.

The amount of water a plant needs varies by how much wind it gets and what the soil conditions are. Good drainage is important for plant root development. If, for example, the soil is sandy or rocky, the plant may need a bit more water during the heat of the summer but will have good drainage. In contrast, if there is a more clay-like texture to the soil and a plant is watered similar to those in sandy soil, the plant could potentially die from root rot because of poor drainage.

Winds dehydrate plants

Photo by Emerald Desert Nursery

Before you start any planting this year, make sure you find the right location for your trees, flowers or shrubs. quickly, so care should be taken to rejuvenate with a drink after particularly windy days.

Drip irrigation is helpful, as water goes directly to the roots of the plant and there is less waste from run-off or water displacement by wind.

While there is no perfect plant, there are plants that can take our desert-like conditions well. Many offer at least two seasons of interest, some even three with minimal care and drip irrigation. Plant tags generally offer size, light and water requirements, as well as performance information.

Here are some suggestions: Small deciduous and flowering shrubs: ‘Little Princess’

and ‘Magic Carpet’ spiraea; ‘Little Henry’ sweetspire; butterfly bushes ‘Lo and Behold’ or ‘Microchip’ series; potentilla, smaller varieties; rhus ‘Gro-Lo’ sumac and weigela such as ‘Dark Horse’.

Medium to large deciduous and flowering shrubs: caryopteris ‘Dark Knight’ or ‘First Choice’; ‘Little Lime’ hydrangea (full sun); ‘Little Devil’ or ‘Summerwine’ ninebarks; dwarf burning bush; ‘Arctic Fire’ redtwig dogwood and dwarf Arctic willow.

Conifers and broadleaf evergreens: ‘Little Gem’ nest spruce, or ‘Globosa’ blue spruce and dwarf pines ‘Sea Urchin’ or ‘Carsten's Win-

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tergold’; junipers ‘Blue Rug’ or ‘Blue Arrow’; dark green spreading yew and Hicks yew; boxwoods and emerald and gold euonymus and more.

Ornamental clump grasses: Shorter border grasses such as ‘Burgundy’ bunny grass and ‘Little Bunny’; moderate-sized ‘Little Kitten’, blue oat and Hamlen grasses; and tall grasses ‘Karl Foerster’, ‘Overdam’, ‘Gracillimus’, ‘Morning Light’ and flame grass.

Perennials: ‘Stella de Oro’ daylily (all-season bloomer); gaillardias ‘Arizona Sun’, ‘Oranges and Lemons’ and ‘Amber Wheels’; salvia ‘May Night’; heuchera ‘Ruby Bell’, ‘Obsidian’ and ‘Fire Alarm’ and finally the tough Russian sage plant - try ‘Little Spire’ or ‘Longin’.

Plant breeders constantly are developing new and improved varieties. Along with tried-and-true favorites in your yard, watch for new plants at your local nursery that have better disease resistance, unique seasonal interest and drought tolerance and are compact performers.

Nancy Richardson is the retail manager at Emerald Desert Nursery, 7499 Road L.5 N.W. in Quincy. The nursery, www.emeralddesertnursery. nd retail customers. For more information, call 787-3051.

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Pests, from page 2 said. Climbing vines also may be pretty, but they attract rodents and ants, which can climb their way into your home, he added.

"It's a bridgeway into your house," Kaylor said.

Keep all plants and vegetation 12 inches to 18 inches away from the structure of your home. "You just don't want that activity right up against the home," he said.

And consider moving house lighting away from the home as well, as they attract spiders, Kaylor added.

Lastly, Kaylor suggests that homeowners, when hiring a pest control specialist, not only make sure the professional is licensed, bonded and insured, but also ask the specialist what his or her approach to pest control is.

If you are interested in an approach that emphasizes less pesticides, you need a professional who puts this practice to work.

"You're looking for someone who would work with you, too," Kaylor said.

Learn more about pest-proofing your home at www.hvalleypest.com. Harvest Valley Pest Control, which serves communities in Grant, Chelan and Douglas counties, can be reached at 797-0090 or david@hvalleypestcontrol.com.

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Home & Garden

THE QUINCY VALLEY

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Make it an annual habit to Just how safe is your review insurance policies home from a fire?

Include an inventory of your possessions

BY ANDREW ROYER Basin Pacific Insurance As March fades and April arrives, yardwork begins and spring cleaning is in full swing. It’s also a great time to dust off your homeowner's and auto insurance policies to see if they still fit your needs.

While most people review their homeowner's policy when they get married, have a new baby, move into a new home or other another major life change occurs, policies can become outdated simply with the passage of time.

First, check your homeowner's policy limits and make sure the coverage on your home is adequate to replace it in the event of a disaster or severe damage.

Remember, the amount of coverage you need to rebuild or repair your home is different than the market value of your home. You will need enough money to clean up from the event and pay for the labor and materials for the restoration or rebuilding of your home.

Next, take an inventory of your possessions so you have a record of what would be lost in case of a fire or other loss.

Many people find this intimidating and time consuming; however, there are many tools an agent can give you to help with this, and most people are surprised at how quickly things add up. It is important your limits are high enough to cover the total of your possessions.

At the very least, walk around and video your home and possessions with your smart-

phone and upload the video to your cloud account.

Finally, check with an agent regarding any possible discounts available to you by bundling your coverage with one carrier.

Along with your homeowner's policy, it is a good idea to review your auto policy regularly.

If you are involved in an accident that injures another party, you will be responsible to pay the damages incurred. Are your limits high enough for such an event, or does your policy only have the minimum that Washington requires? Moderate to serious accidents can easily exceed the state-required minimums, placing your assets at risk.

Many people believe they are protected adequately if they choose to purchase "full coverage" in addition to liability. While these coverages are important to cover your own vehicle, it is a good idea to consider whether your liability limits are high enough to pay out damages if you are found responsible.

If not, you may be personally responsible to pay for the damages and costs exceeding your policy's liability limits.

Higher limit policies tend to not be as expensive as many think and may come with extra benefits for little to no cost. For instance, roadside assistance may be a benefit within a policy for as little as $15 a year. If saving money on your premium is a priority, ask your agent about raising your deductible. This typically has a higher impact on the premium than the limits.

Andrew Royer is an agent with Basin Pacific Insurance, 17 E St. S.E. in Quincy. Royer can be reached at 787-2816 or aroyer@basinpacific.com.

Staff report Home fires in the United States number more than 1,000 a day, reports Grant County Fire District No. 3.

So just how safe is your home from fire? The fire district provided a home fire safety checklist, with questions every household should be answering. (Hint: Every "no" answer points to a fire hazard in your home.)

1. Do you allow only qualified electricians to install or extend the wiring in your home?

2. Do you have special circuits for heavy-duty appliances, such as stoves?

3. Do you use only 15-amp fuses for your household light circuits?

4. Are all extension cords in the open -- not under rugs, over hooks or through partitions or door openings?

5. Do you keep your yard cleared of leaves, debris and combustible rubbish?

6. If your garage is attached to the house, is it separated by a tight-fitting door that's kept closed?

7. Do you keep your basement, closets and attic cleared of old rags, papers, mattresses and other combustibles?

8. After using oily polishing rags or waste, do you destroy them or place them in covered, metal cans?

9. If you store paint or varnish, do you keep the containers tightly closed?

10. Do you always turn off the stove or oven before leaving the room? And do you always turn the clothes dryer off before leaving your home?

11. Do you clean the lint tray in your dryer before each use?

12. If you keep gasoline for use in a power mower or outboard motor, is it stored in a strong, metal safety-type can with self-closing caps on the openings?

13. Do you keep matches away from sources of heat, such as a stove or heaters?

14. Is "no smoking in bed" a rule in your home?

15. Are there enough electrical outlets in every room to avoid the need for multiple attachment plugs and long extension cords?

Are you insured for a worst case scenario?

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Home & Garden

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Home & Garden

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Annual pla PLANTS

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THE QUINCY VALLEY

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

Garlic Leeks Spinach

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Asparagus Beets Carrots Chard Chives Leeks Lettuce Onions Parsley Parsnips Peas Potatoes Radishes Rhubarb Turnips

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Parsley Parsnips Peppers Brussel Sprouts Snap Beans Cabbage Sweet Cantaloupes Potatoes Carrots Potatoes Cauliflower Pumpkins Chard Radishes Sweet Corn Rutabagas Cucumbers Summer Squash Dill Eggplant Tomatoes Kale Turnips Kohlrabi Water melons Lima Beans Okra

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Home & Garden

7

nting guide

UNE

eets occoli l Sprouts bbage rrots

iflower elery et Corn umbers Kale hlrabi a Beans snips p Beans atoes mpkins dishes abagas rnips

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

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NOVEMBER DECEMBER Garlic Spinach

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Home & Garden

THE QUINCY VALLEY

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Make your landscaping firewise Grant-Adams Master Gardeners While fall is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs, it’s never too late (or too early) to assess the landscape of your property to reduce the fuel and minimize fire hazards. So consider replacing highly flammable plants with those that are fire resistant this spring.

Fire-resistant plants do not readily ignite from a flame or other ignition sources. In the event of fire, these plants can be damaged or even killed, but their foliage and stems do not significantly contribute to the fuel or the fire’s intensity.

Several factors influence the fire characteristics of plants, including plant moisture content, age, total volume, dead material and chemical content.

Fire-resistant plants typically have moist and supple leaves. They have little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry, dead material within the plant.

They also have a water-like sap that doesn’t have a strong odor.

Flammable plants contain fine, dry or dead material. The leaves, twigs and stems contain volatile waxes or terpenes. The leaves are aromatic and the sap is gummy and has a strong odor. Flammable plants also may have loose or papery bark.

If you live in an urban or wildland interface, you should consider the location and spacing of plants within your landscape and surrounding area, be-

10. Reduce density of surrounding forest.

1. Thin tree and brush cover.

2. Dispose of slash and debris left from thinning.

3. Remove dead limbs, leaves, and other litter.

8. Trim branches.

9. Clean roof and gutters.

7. Prune branches to 10 feet above the 4. Move 5. Maintain irrigated greenbelt. firewood 30 ground.

6. Mow dry grasses or more feet from the home. and weeds.

cause these areas are often surrounded by trees, shrubs, and grasses that can be flammable. The idea is to create a defensible space to greatly reduce your chances of a wildfire reaching your home.

Decks and siding can ignite easily when plants that burn quickly and produce high heat are placed adjacent to the home. A burning plant or group of plants in front of windows can cause glass to break, allowing fire to enter the home. Reconsider planting highly flammable plants, particularly when bunched

Make room for Spring & Summer!

together, at home entry locations or close to the walls of your home.

A well-maintained lawn, as well as conservation grasses, clover and bulbs, can be included in a fire-resistant landscape and serve as an effective fuel break. Noncombustible materials in planting areas around your house, such as rock, brick and concrete, also provide a barrier to fire.

However, bark mulch, which is often used in home landscapes, can ignite, conveying a fire to your home. A combination of wood bark surrounded by decorative rock is less flammable than wood bark mulch alone, and will not scorch plants.

Both native and ornamental plants can be highly flammable. One example you see planted throughout the Columbia Basin is the spreading of upright juniper, which is highly flammable because it accumulates old, dead needles and has volatile oils in its foliage. Other highly flammable plants include yews, brittlebrush, sagebrush, Leyland cypress and conifers in general. A few conifers, however, are fire-resistant: Western larch, Ponderosa pine and Lodgepole pine.

Fortunately, there are many attractive fire-resistant plants that grow well in our area. For a list of some, go to the March 2016 Grounded newsletter, produced by the Grant-Adams counties Master Gardeners program, ext100.wsu.edu/grant-adams/gardening/master_gardeners/.

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A Friendly Reminder: Address markers can be purchased at the District Main Office (1201 Central Ave S – Quincy) Cost $10.00 You need to answer “YES” to all of the following questions to increase your chances of surviving a house fire.

• Do you test your smoke detectors once a month to check if they have working batteries and are there smoke detectors on every level of your home and in all sleeping areas?

• Does your family have a drawn escape plan of your house, showing all exits?

• Does everyone in the family know at least 2 escape routes from every room?

• Does your family practice your escape plan at least twice a year?

• Do you have a meeting place outside of the home for all family members to gather in case of a fire?

DON’T BECOME A STATISTIC! For help with any of these items please visit the Grant County Fire District #3 office or call 787-2713.

THE QUINCY VALLEY

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Home & Garden

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Home & Garden

THE QUINCY VALLEY

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

4 strategies to ensure a lush lawn Morning waterings, better sprinkler positioning are a must Metro Creative Summer is a season for landscaping, and homeowners who live in regions such as the Columbia Basin that get especially hot in the summertime often worry that their lawns won't make it through the dog days of summer looking lush.

But lawns don't have to succumb to the sizzling summer sun.

Oftentimes, the right watering strategies can help homeowners nurse their lawns through the hottest months of the year.

Reconsider Watering Schedule Watering in the middle of the day is often ineffective, as water tends to evaporate quickly in the afternoons when temperatures are peaking.

Nighttime watering can contribute to the growth of fungus, which can cre-

A simple strategy to efficient lawn watering is to make sure sprinklers are not wasting water on patios and driveways. ate an entirely new set of headaches for homeowners.

So morning watering sessions tend to be most effective during the summertime, as temperatures tend to be cooler in the morning, leading to less evaporation. Less evaporation means all that watering isn't going to waste.

Reconsider Your Sprinkler If you can't afford an in-ground irrigation system, which many land-

scaping professionals feel is the most effective and efficient way to water a lawn, then you likely will rely on a sprinkler. When choosing a sprinkler, look for one that shoots water out horizontally as opposed to vertically. A vertical sprinkler system is more vulnerable to wind and evaporation than one that shoots water out horizontally.

Avoid Overwatering How much water your lawn needs

in the summertime depends on a host of factors, including where you live and how often rain falls in that region.

Overwatering can promote the growth of fungus and adversely affect your lawn's root system, making it difficult for roots to grow deep. Speak with a local landscaping professional to determine how often you should water your lawn each week.

Strategically Position Sprinklers When choosing where to put down your sprinklers, hook them up to your hose, turn them on and then watch to see where the water is going.

Too often homeowners turn on their sprinklers and walk away without looking where the water is spraying.

Areas that are exposed to sun are most in need of water, so make sure the bulk of your water isn't going to shaded areas. And make sure you aren't wasting water on sidewalks, patios and driveways.

Effective strategies such as these can make the difference between a lush landscape and one that succumbs to summer heat.

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HOME & GARDEN Eco-gardening symposium returns for second year

MOSES LAKE – The Grant-Adams Master Gardeners and Grant County Conservation District have partnered up to jointly sponsor and organize a gardening symposium on April 23.

The Second Annual Columbia Basin Eco-Gardening Symposium is a half-day event that will discuss how to better manage soils and water in the basin. The speakers are: Joan Davenport, Washington State University professor of soil science, will talk about “Easy Tools to Get to Know Your Soil.”

Kelsey Prickett of BFI Native Seeds will talk about “Xeriscaping: The Native Approach.”

Heather Wendt of the Benton and Franklin counties conservation disUpper Columbia Basin

tricts will talk about “Creating Low Water Use Gardens that Inspire.”

Andrew McGuire, cropping systems agronomist at the WSU Grant-Adams Extension, will talk about “Challenges and Techniques in Landscape Irrigation Management.”

The event is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Technical Skills Center, 920 E. Yonezawa Blvd. in Moses Lake.

Admission is free; however, space is limited. To register, go to www.columbiabasincds.org or call 765-9618.

Master Gardeners plant sale coming up in May

MOSES LAKE – The annual Master Gardeners plant sale is May 7 at the Moses Lake Farmers Market in McCosh Park.

From 8 a.m. to noon, the plant sale is a primary fundraiser for the Master Gardener Foundation of Grant-Adams Counties. Funds raised support master gardener events and projects such as demonstration gardens, presentations

and classes, and educational materials and references for plant clinics.

A large array of annual and perennial plants will be for sale, including both heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, seasonal vegetables, herbs, annual flowers and locally adapted perennial trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses.

Master Gardeners will be on hand to give care and planting information and answer any questions.

The plant sale will also raffle off several donated items, from mulch to garden baskets. Raffle tickets are $1.

Grant PUD offers ductless heat pump rebate program

Grant PUD offers a cost-saving rebate program for its customers who are installing a ductless heat pump system in qualifying homes.

The rebate program offers $800 back to those who qualify.

A ductless heating and cooling system is a highly efficient system that doesn't require air ducts. Ductless

223 2nd Ave. S.E. Quincy, WA • 787-2144 Store Hours: Wed.-Sat.-11am-4pm Donations & other business: Mon.-Sat.-9am-4pm

Good for the community: good for the environment The Habitat store was opened in 1998 with the idea of assisting in providing the funds needed to construct affordable housing. It sells new and used items to the public at discount prices. All Shoes items have been donated by businesses and individuals in our community.

Not only does the store provide convenient Donations shopping, it provides an environmentally and socially-responsible way to lessen the amount of usable items being sent to landfills.

Donations Whether you are looking for a great deal, a fun place to volunteer or a convenient place to donate, check out the Habitat Thrift Store.

The inventory changes daily, so come in often.

Now’s the time to get your Spring Construction done!

Foundations • Pole Buildings • Stick Frame Buildings Light Gauge • Steel Buildings Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings Office : 509-787-4907 Cell: 509-398-7312

Give us a call for a quote!

Business license # KNUTSC*244QA

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systems include an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor air-handling units. Each indoor unit corresponds with a heating and cooling zone that can be controlled independently.

To qualify for the rebate, the existing home needs to be in the PUD service area and have a primary, permanent electric heat source of baseboard, wall heaters, ceiling cable or a combination of the three. So homes with central heating don't qualify.

The ductless heat pump units must be certified as properly installed by a qualified installer. The PUD has a list of approved local contractors who are certified to install ductless heat pumps.

Once the work is completed and the paperwork is turned in to Grant PUD, a utility inspector will need to visit the home to verify that the system was properly installed.

For more information, contact the Grant PUD Energy Services at 7662512.

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Home & Garden

THE QUINCY VALLEY

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

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