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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit Former Medford detective accused of exploiting man with dementia State police: Grants Pass shooter tried to run victim off the road Poodle killed with pellet gun in west Medford Pot-munching deer at Applegate Lodge stars on 'Daily Show' Crime, Courts and Emergency Services State police: Grants Pass shooter tried to run victim off the road Poodle killed with pellet gun in west Medford Car thefts spike in Medford Grants Pass man charged with attempted murder in shooting of Eagle Point resident Emergency Services Politics and Elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Education Medford School District one of most accident-prone in state Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Oregon legislators may end fifth-year high school programs Phoenix High officer looks back on varied career Oregon school officials blasting new education budget Environment Rogue Valley lions on their way to California Corps hopes to clear Lost Creek Lake of debris Beetles taking toll on Ashland pines Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Controversial asphalt plant in Talent wins county planning approval State News Timber payments extension passes U.S. House $15 minimum wage bill dead in Oregon Senate Dave Frohnmayer remembered at Eugene memorial Oregon school officials blasting new education budget Bend company's aim: Connect investors to Africa Nation - World Obituaries Alexander Edwards Ray E. Kniffen, Sr. Lois Emmerette (Wright) Huntley James "Jim" Peter Duman Florence May Grimes Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Shift in power Raiders gain split in softball with C of I Medical experts look past law to enhance safety Kent Bush: Pete Rose’s request complicated by Jarred Cosart Big rally by North Medford falls short Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders gain split in softball with C of I 'Zona zeroes in It'll be Coach K vs. Coach K in Sweet 16 Oregon Tech sweeps SOU Coaching reunion Pro Sports Ilyasova lifts Bucks over Pacers Hoffman leads in wind-swept Texas Open New-look A's expect to contend Calipari can be the one to save the Nets Giants look to end championship trend Community Sports Business Latest Stories Mandatory paid sick leave gets mixed reviews Blog: How to Practice Patience Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Medford shoppers wonder about impacts of Costco on Trader Joe's parking lot Blog: State senate president says there will be no minimum wage increase during 2015 session Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 People in Business: Feb. 28 Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Agriculture Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Harry & David announces new president Opinion Latest Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Kent Bush: Pete Rose’s request complicated by Jarred Cosart Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Letters to the Editor, March 27 Editorials Our View: Some police videos should be released Our View: Public records rules should apply to lawmakers, too Our View: Oregon schools will have to make do with a little more money Our View: Medford police tried to avoid confrontation Other Views: Dave Frohnmayer was a man of honor Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 26 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 24 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Columns Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Kent Bush: Pete Rose’s request complicated by Jarred Cosart Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Arthur I. Cyr: The legacy of Singapore’s leader Lee Kwan Yew Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Guest Opinion: Guest Opinion: Raise your voice against child abuse Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Lifestyle Latest stories No snow makes Marble Mountains accessible early Community blog: How to Get Rid of a Tension Headache Community blog: Try slightly smoky baked beans instead of refried Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Food Community blog: Try slightly smoky baked beans instead of refried App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Frugal foodie Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Almond cookies pass the test Home and Garden Hot tub: The perfect centerpiece for outdoor living Garden Cameos: Welcome spring to the garden Paul Rogers: Ground unworkable, despite spring’s arrival Home Help: How green is your house? Plant a few dahlias, Dahling Health Community blog: How to Get Rid of a Tension Headache St. Mary's student helps others with diabetes Community blog: Sleep Tight: Making Your Bed, Body and Mind Ready for Rest Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's Tempo's top five picks for live entertainment this week The 2015 Rising Stars music competition ends with its final round on the Britt stage in Jacksonville Live Music in Local Clubs Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Theater ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Review: Education and its discontents Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Eugene O'Neill's 'Long Day's Journey into Night' opens at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Camelot's 'Sunset Boulevard' ambitious, not as dark Music Futurebirds play the Brickroom in Ashland The 2015 Rising Stars music competition ends with its final round on the Britt stage in Jacksonville Live Music in Local Clubs Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Farr Side: Lines are blurred with theft of Marvin Gaye’s classic groove Community Events Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Dining Basque-inspired cuisine at Eleven in Ashland Parsing the meaning behind wine medals and scores Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 22 Jasmine Thai Cuisine Restaurant Inspections Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit ... Former Medford detective accused of exploiting man with dementia ... Mandatory paid sick leave gets mixed reviews ... UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit ... Former Medford detective accused of exploiting man with dementia ... Mandatory paid sick leave gets mixed reviews ... Paul Rogers: Ground unworkable, despite spring's arrival By Paul Rogers More Content Now MailTribune.com By Paul Rogers More Content Now Posted Mar. 24, 2015 @ 8:55 am By Paul Rogers More Content Now Posted Mar. 24, 2015 @ 8:55 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The vernal equinox arrived on schedule Friday, leaving us with diminishing piles of snow and ice and soil still waterlogged and frozen. Yes, in some locations the surface turns muddy during the day but refreezes nightly. It will continue to do so until the soil truly thaws. Only then can the snow melt drain away, allowing the ground to warm. Until then, conditions are not suitable for seed sowing or transplanting of even the cold-hardiest of plants. Super-saturated soil cannot support the germination of seed or the growth of plants. The spaces between soil particles are occupied with water, not air. Our vegetables and flowers depend on air (oxygen) to breathe, just as we do, thus it is necessary to bide our time. Wait until after the puddles disappear, as that will show that thawing of the deeper layer of soil has taken place. Are you impatient to begin planting? There are two operations that you can undertake. The first is to test the suitability of your garden soil for planting and the second is to begin planting — indoors. To test the state of your garden soil, gather a handful and form it into a ball, then squeeze it. If water flows out of your hand between your fingers, the soil is much too wet to work. If the soil remains in the form of a ball after you have opened your fingers, the soil is still too wet to use. Only when the ball crumples under a slight poking with your finger is the soil ready to use. Indoor seed-starting can cautiously begin. Select the seed of plants that are known to be cold-hardy. The list would include kale, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and evergreen onions. Lettuce is also to a degree resistant to the cold, but develops rapidly. The sowing sequence for heat-demanding but slow-to-develop crops is as follows: eggplants, peppers, then tomatoes. While these crops cannot safely be planted in the garden until late in the month of May, they do take time to produce a quality plant. Each is slow to germinate and to develop, will need to be transplanted several times, and if proper attention is given them, will end up in a 4-inch pot as a sturdy, stocky plant. Use care. Sow only a limited amount of seed. Sow the seed thinly. Provide good light and moderate amounts of water. Prime indoor space for seedlings is limited. You cannot start an entire garden indoors. Nor do you want to. Your objective is to develop a limited number of starter plants to lead a parade of successive plantings. As the snow recedes, exposing your shrubs and other yard plants, you may view parts of your property as an unmitigated disaster. It is unlikely that this assessment is true. Bent branches will either return to their original form, or light pruning will redirect new growth. The root systems of snow-protected plants rarely suffer serious damage. Fractured and broken branches will need attention, but not immediately. Give your plants and yourself time to assess the difference between cosmetic injury and extensive damage. Paul Rogers is a columnist for The Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette. 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