Looking for work? Check out the Times/Review classified section.

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Times/Review classifieds offers local companies a place to advertise their job openings each week, and this week 50 positions are availablefrom plumbers, marine technicians to drivers.

And for anyone interested in submitting a classified ad, email: classifieds@timesreview.com.

Check out the listings below:

BUS SERVICE POSITION: F/T. Sunrise Coach Lines, located in Greenport, is looking for a qualified self-starting person to service and clean our buses. CDL license preferred but will train the right person. Prior experience a plus. Union position with benefits. Please inquire, 631-477-1201. Ask for Jim or Karen.

CALL CENTER REPRESENTATIVE POSITIONS: F/T, P/T, various shifts available. Must be able to work a Saturday or Sunday every week. For corporate headquarters located in Southold. Spanish proficiency a plus. For complete details about the position and to apply, visit

CASE MANAGER: F/T, temporary through December 2015. For our bridges to family program located in Hauppauge, NY. BA in social work or related field and 1-year related experience required. MSW or related field and related experience preferred. Valid NYS drivers license required. Little Flower Children and Family Services in Wading River, NY. Send resume, wadingriver-jobs@lfchild.org or fax 631-929-6203 EOE.

CASE MANAGER SUPERVISOR: F/T, temporary through December 2015. For our bridges to family program located in Hauppauge, NY. BA in social work or related field and 5 years related experience required. MSW or related field and related experience preferred. Valid NYS drivers license required. Little Flower Children and Family Services in Wading River, NY. Send resume, wadingriver-jobs@lfchild.org or fax 631-929-6203. EOE

CHILDCARE WORKERS: F/T, P/ T and per diem needed to supervise the daily living activities and ensure the safety of children in our residential treatment center. Related experience preferred and valid NYS drivers license required. Little Flower Children and Family Services in Wading River, N.Y. Send resume, wadingriver-jobs@lfchild.org or fax 631-929-6203. EOE.

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Help Wanted: Plumbers, marine techs, and drivers

MASTER GARDENER: Mescal Bean and combating nematodes

Q. I remember seeing a really nice flowering tree called Mescal Bean when I visited the UCR Botanic Garden. What can you tell me about it and where can I get one?

A. Mescal Bean, Sophora secundiflora, may be considered a large shrub or small tree. It grows slowly and may ultimately reach 25 feet in height. It tends to be evergreen in our climate and has small divided leaves and a graceful appearance. Mescal Bean blooms in early spring with six-inch clusters of violet-colored flowers that have a sweet fragrance that reminds me of grape juice. Following flowering, seed pods may form that contain red beans. These beans are poisonous, so it is recommended that the pods be removed before they mature.

Mescal Bean, sometimes called Texas Mountain Laurel, tolerates hot locations and poor soil as long as it has good drainage. Although it is frequently sold in native plant nurseries and offered as a low water-use plant, it does require some water. Because it is very slow-growing, you might want to consider purchasing the largest size you can afford. Most good nurseries can order one for you if they dont have them in stock.

Q. I read your article in the OC Register regarding nematodes and tomatoes. Is it true that planting marigolds with the tomatoes can control nematodes in the soil?

A. Sorry, but that wont work. Many years ago, research conducted at the University of Georgia, and confirmed at other universities, too, indicated that rootknot nematodes may be controlled by growing French marigolds as a dense, solid ground cover for at least 90 days. No other plants can be allowed to grow among the marigolds or the treatment will be ineffective, as the nematodes will take refuge in them. After the marigolds are removed, other plants may be grown in the area. The soil should remain free of nematodes for about one year. They found the most effective cultivars were Goldie, Petite Gold, Petite Harmony, and Tangerine. Other cultivars found to be effective are Nemagold, Petite Blanc, Queen Sophia and Tangerine. Some of these cultivars are available locally as seed and others can be found in popular seed catalogs or online. You also may find other varieties that individual seed companies have labeled as being effective against nematodes. Be careful to avoid the signet marigolds, Tagates signata or T. tenuifolia as these particular marigolds are actually hosts of root knot marigolds.

The University of California Integrated Pest Management Program recommends keeping your plants as healthy as possible by growing them in well-amended and well-irrigated soil. This will not reduce the number of nematodes in the soil but strong, healthy plants are better able to withstand the damage caused by root knot nematodes. They have a number of other suggestions including fallowing and crop rotation, soil solarization, and managing planting dates. For those gardeners who would like to read more about nematodes and the tactics you can use to combat them, go to ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7489.html.

Ottillia Toots Bier has been a UC Cooperative Extension master gardener since 1980. Send comments and questions to features@pe.com.

Contact the writer: features@pe.com

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MASTER GARDENER: Mescal Bean and combating nematodes

A properly planted tree or shrub will be more tolerant of adverse conditions and require much less management than one planted incorrectly. Planting technique impacts water quality as it minimizes water, fertilizer and pesticide use. When making decisions on planting techniques, one should consider how the plant was grown in the nursery, the plant's drainage requirements, the soil type and drainage characteristics, and the availability of irrigation water. The plant should be specifically appropriate to the site, or the site should be amended to specifically fit the plant.

Horticulture researchers have estimated that 75% of the roots may be lost when digging field-grown nursery stock. Cultural practices by the nurseryman, such as root pruning, irrigation, fertilization, root-ball configuration, and digging techniques, influence the percentage of harvested roots. Water stress, due to removal of most of the water-absorbing roots, is the primary cause of transplant failure. Most water absorption capability within a transplanted root-ball results from very small diameter roots. These fragile roots are the first to suffer from excess water loss in newly transplanted landscape plants.

Landscape contractors and home gardeners can choose from a wide variety of plant material in North Carolina. Plants are grown by various production methods, e.g. bare-root, balled and burlapped, fabric container and plastic container. Some large landscape trees are mechanically dug with a tree-spade and placed in wire baskets. Each of these harvesting and growing techniques is acceptable, but requires a specific planting and management technique.

Advantages of planting bare-root plants are mostly economical. Plants are less expensive to produce because of the ease of harvesting, storing and shipping. Many species respond well to bare-root harvesting. A greater portion and longer roots are retained after harvesting and roots are easily inspected at planting time. Damaged roots can be trimmed and girdling roots can be removed before planting. Bare-root plants should be planted while they are completely dormant. Landscape-sized bare-root trees usually require staking.

Larger landscape plants are traditionally harvested as "balled and burlapped" (B&B). A major advantage of B&B plants is that soil types can be matched, thereby reducing any interface problems that might inhibit water movement between the rootball and surrounding soil of the landscape site. There is an acceptable, standardized formula for sizing rootballs, which is the American Standard for Nursery Stock. The main disadvantage of B&B material is that a large portion of the roots may be severed at harvest time. The amount of roots harvested depends upon soil type, irrigation practices and root pruning during the production period. Plants moved B&B are subject to seasonal constraints. The most favorable seasons are when transpiration demand is low and root generation potential is high, such as in fall, winter and early spring. With the much-reduced root system, water is a critical element in the successful transplanting of B&B material.

The advantage of using plants grown in containers is that 100% of the roots are in the container. Thus, the plant goes through limited transplant shock if given adequate follow-up care. Container-grown plants can be planted into the landscape year-round. Plants produced in containers, in a soilless medium (usually bark and sand), are much lighter than B&B material. This is very helpful to home gardeners who may not have large equipment to handle the heavy plants.

The main disadvantage of container-grown plants is the possibility of deformed roots. "Rootbound" plants have roots circling inside the container. The entangled roots are a physical barrier to future root growth and development. If this condition is not corrected at planting time, the plant may experience slow growth and establishment because of the girdled roots. Some form of root mass disturbance is recommended before planting.

A relatively new production system is the use of fabric containers or bags. Plants are grown in the bags, placed in the ground, with a soil backfill. The advantage to this production technique is purported to be a means of harvesting a greater number of roots while using field production practices. The fabric must be removed at transplanting time. This can be somewhat of a problem when the roots have become attached to the walls of the bag, or if roots have escaped through the fabric.

Smaller plants live better and establish faster than large plants and are more economical. Many consumers, on the other hand, want the "instant" landscape look. Demand for large, landscape-size trees has certainly increased over the last decade. With large mechanical digging equipment, 6- to 8-inch diameter trees can be moved. Large diameter trees are often transplanted for instantaneous effect, but post-transplant stress and costs increase with the size of the tree.

Correct planting technique begins with the loading of the plant at the nursery or garden center. Home gardeners and landscapers should be very careful with plant material. Always protect the roots, stems and foliage during transport. The plant tops should be shielded from winds. Never pick up a plant by the trunk. Trees are particularly vulnerable to damage if growth has started. In the spring the bark is easily injured. B&B trees are very susceptible to this type injury because of the weight of the rootball. Lift plants from underneath the rootball with the appropriate equipment. Container-grown plants should be handled by the container and never by the tops of the plant. If plants must be held or stored on the landscape site, it is best to place them in a location protected from the wind and sun. Do not let the roots freeze or dry out during this time. If the delay in planting is more then a few days, one should "heel in" B&B material by covering the roots with bark or some other mulch. Supplemental irrigation is critical for the nursery stock during the growing season.

Read this article:
Planting Techniques for Trees and Shrubs | NC State University

Trees, shrubs, and vines are essential elements in your landscape, adding structure, texture, and color as well as establishing focal points. Fortunately, taking care of trees, shrubs, and vines can be easy, but it does require knowing the basics, and learning insider tips will help your plants reach their full potential. All the care advice you need is here. Start with what you buy: Trees and shrubs can be bare-root, balled-and-burlapped, or container-grown. All of them will work well in a landscape, but each has different requirements. Here's what you need to know to make sure all three types will get off to a great start in your landscape. Once your trees, shrubs, and vines are established, maintaining them is key to ensuring their healthy growth. Part of that maintenance includes pruning -- but what do you prune and when? We have advice on pruning, as well as a maintenance calendar. Not sure what tool works for pruning small branches or large limbs? Turn to our guide. If you have an established tree or shrub in your landscape that's been neglected, you can give it new life with careful pruning.

Excerpt from:
Caring for Trees & Shrubs - Better Homes and Gardens ...

Charlie's Plant to Ponder: Pothos

Also called devil's ivy and hunter's robe, pothos is a high-climbing, evergreen vine that develops leaves up to 2 feet long as it gains height. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), a native of the Solomon Islands, is tender to cold but still spreads rapidly when grown in the landscape. This common houseplant is propagated by cuttings.

Numerous cold-sensitive species of Eugenia are grown for their fruit, including pitomba, grumichima, Brazil cherry, Australian beach cherry and the invasive Surinam cherry. The only hardy Eugenia commonly cultivated for its fruit is cherry of the Rio Grande, a plant that withstands temperatures into the upper teens with minimal damage. This is a handsome shrub or small tree that grows 12 to 15 feet tall in full or part-day sun.

The juicy and tasty fruit of cherry of the Rio Grande is about an inch long and dark red and is eye-catching against the plant's glossy, dark-green foliage. Those fruit, eaten fresh and used for preserves, appear in late spring and early summer following attractive white blossoms. This slow-growing species thrives on organically enriched, mulched sites that are irrigated during dry spells. Cherry of the Rio Grande is difficult to propagate from cuttings and air layers, so it's usually propagated by seeds. Typically it takes 5 to 10 years from seed sowing for plants to bear fruit. Plants are available online and sometimes from local nurseries. This plant can be found listed under Eugenia cerasiflora, involucrata and aggregata.

TURF VIRUS NEARBY

Sugarcane mosaic virus, a disease that infects various grasses, including kinds of St. Augustine turf, appeared in Palm Beach County in the 1960s. But in 2013, and again in 2014, sugarcane mosaic virus showed up in Pinellas County and devastated numerous lawns, especially those with the Floratam' variety of St. Augustine turfgrass. All varieties of St. Augustine may be vulnerable, but Palmetto' and Bitter Blue' are considered somewhat resistant.

No treatment is available for stricken lawns, which display intermittent yellow streaks on grass blades, eventually leading to necrosis (death). The virus seems to become noticeable in early autumn and then progress throughout the cool season.

Machinery such as mowers and string trimmers can spread the disease from site to site, so it may eventually move into neighboring counties. Homeowners who want more information should visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp313.

SAVING VARIEGATION

This is a good time of year to remove any solid-green growth that has emerged on variegated plants. Variegated varieties of most plants tend to slowly revert to all-green foliage that, if left intact, eventually dominates the plant and looks unsightly. One of the most popular landscape plants in Florida the flax lily often begins to produce solid-green offsets after a few years. In this case, sever the non-variegated clumps and dig them out, roots and all.

Link:
Weekend Plantings: Turf Virus Nearby, Saving Variegation, Plants for Wet Sites

Extension > Garden > Yard and Garden > Planting and transplanting trees and shrubs

Jeffrey H. Gillman, Nursery Management Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science Gary R. Johnson, Urban Forester, Department of Forest Resources

Trees and Shrubs should be selected for a site based on the ability of the plant to tolerate the soil, light, climate, and residential conditions present at that location. Information on the ability of various shrubs to tolerate environmental conditions in Minnesota can be found in the following guides published by University of Minnesota Extension:

The conditions of the planting site are as important as the plant. Soil type and drainage, available water and sunlight, exposure to drying winds, and other factors must be considered. Attempting to match the requirements of the plant to the site increases the survivability, performance, and longevity of the plant selected.

The first step in assessing the condition of the planting site is to examine the soil. Is it sandy and well drained? Is it moist with some organic material? Is it heavy clay and, therefore, wet and perhaps compacted? Construction practices such as cutting and filling, installation of underground utilities, and backfilling against foundations can create great diversity in soil structure. This variability can change drastically with depth and between planting locations on the same property-investigate each planting site.

Soil texture and drainage are closely related. Sandy soils usually are very well drained, have large pore spaces, and poor water-holding capabilities. They are usually associated with dry conditions. Conversely, clayey soils have much smaller pore spaces, are poorly drained, and can suffocate plant roots. The pore spaces in soil are very important to plant growth because the oxygen that occupies them is essential to healthy roots. A tree planted in poorly drained soil will be slow to establish, lack vigor, and often will slowly die.

Because plant roots require both moisture and oxygen for growth, soil drainage should be checked before planting. A poorly drained soil, high in moisture but low in oxygen, prevents both proper root development and growth of beneficial soil micro-organisms that are responsible for decomposing organic matter and releasing plant nutrients.

To test for soil drainage, dig a hole 18 inches deep, fill it with water, and let it stand overnight. If the water has not drained by morning, there is a drainage problem. (Do not test the drainage in this manner after heavy rainfall or before the ground has thawed in the spring.)

If soil drainage is inadequate, species that are tolerant of poorly drained soils may be planted, or soil drainage may be improved. This can be done in two ways. If a hard pan is present (a compacted, impermeable layer of soil) with an underlying layer of well-drained soil, a hole can be dug down to the permeable layer to provide drainage for the planting hole (Figure 1). If the soil is poorly drained and there is no well-drained layer below, a tile system can be laid (Figure 2). This, however, is expensive and requires the assistance of a professional for proper design. Simply adding gravel to the bottom of the planting hole will further decrease oxygen availability to the root system.

Compaction of the soil by vehicles or people can reduce pore space and restrict water infiltration, as well as cause physical damage to roots of existing trees. In compacted soil, oxygen is depleted, carbon dioxide accumulates, and root penetration is reduced. This is detrimental to root growth. Aerating the soil will help correct the problem.

Continued here:
Planting and transplanting trees and shrubs : Yard and ...

Seasonal Care for Trees and Shrubs in Northern U.S. Climates

Welcome to the world of tree care! In the left hand column of the image below, you will find links to the many maintenance duties you can do to help keep your landscape trees healthy and safe. The accompanying chart highlights the most favorable timing for the listed tree care activities. Below this chart you can find links to other complete chart versions that are larger and easier to read.

Overall, periods of weather extremes (e.g., drought or high winds) should be avoided when planting, transplanting, fertilizing and pruning. The information available in this website provides a place to start for tree and shrub care, is not absolute for every situation, and is not intended to endorse any products or services.

Have fun!

Authored by Rebecca Koetter, Gary R. Johnson, and Dave Hanson: University of Minnesota Funded in part by USDA Forest Service: Northeastern Area Chart designed by Andrew Rose: http://www.handeye.us

Download & print your own poster or magnet copy of the Seasonal Care for Trees and Shrubs in Northern U.S. Climates

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Seasonal Care for Trees and Shrubs in Northern U.S. Climates

Bushes and trees have their own personality, character and look. They have to fit in the plans you have for your garden design. Pruning, trimming, cutting and sawing become a major part of their development with careful planning and regular care they will define how your garden looks.

Hedges frame the garden. These living walls are ideal for dividing property or adding visual accents through artistic shapes. Trimming is vital for healthy and dense hedges and can be done manually or by help of electric or battery-driven hedge trimmers.

Cutting flowers or pruning bushes or trees is essential for the vitality of the plants. Pruning helps the plants to use their energy in a more productive way. Depending on the branches that need to be cut, different cutting tools can be helpful: Secateurs for flowers and thin branches, loppers and branch pruners for bushes and trees.

If pruning loppers are not strong enough to get your trees in shape, GARDENA's hand saws are the right choice. They can even be used in great heights using one of the GARDENA combisystem handles. For even more demanding tasks such as making fire wood, GARDENA chainsaws are the right products.

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Tree and Shrub Care by GARDENA - Garden Pruning Bushes Trees

By Bel Mooney for the Daily Mail

Published: 19:32 EST, 26 December 2014 | Updated: 20:01 EST, 26 December 2014

Dear Bel

IT IS approaching the first anniversary of my husbands death and, other than the hospice he died in, Ive nowhere to go to pay my respects.

Because of his illness, we were only married for six months, but prior to this we had eight wonderful years together.

A man can spend all his life running . . . He should stop and think . . . Then he should pick something that will better him, that is good for him, and try to achieve it. Then hes running towards something.

From The Shiralee by DArcy Niland (Australian writer, 1917-67)

My problem is his son. He never wanted us to be married and I have always believed it was due to the inheritance, but he did seem to accept it until my husbands death, as I was to discover.

I can assure you he was well provided for in the will, which I actually persuaded my husband to change in his favour.

The son arranged everything for the funeral and finally revealed his true feelings about me at the service.

The rest is here:
BEL MOONEY: My cruel stepson refuses to give me his dad's ashes

When storms hit, umbrellas get opened and motorists slow down to avoid hydroplaning on wet roads. But the heavy rainfall also means pollutants such as toxic metals and oils are washed off city streets and into local waters. And that is a major hazard to fish, shellfish and recreators.

According to Dr. Chris May, Manager of Kitsap County Storm Water Projects, the pollutants from stormwater runoff can be reduced by bringing the 600 or so stormwater ponds in the county up to modern standards, and by using treebox filters to clean the water before it flows off the land.

May spoke to the Central Kitsap Community Council recently about what the multi-agency group Clean Water Kitsap has done to keep the waters of Sinclair Inlet, Dyes Inlet and Liberty Bay as clean as possible.

Clean Water Kitsap's efforts have paid off: they say lab tests show that in 2013 the county removed over 1,700 tons of potentially harmful solid material from catch basins, ponds and roads including 529 pounds of toxic metals such as copper, lead and zinc and 304 gallons of oil.

* Duwe'iq Wetland Treatment Facility

The Duwe'iq Wetland Treatment Facility project is one of the larger projects on the horizon. The facility plans show an S-shaped waterway several hundred meters in length located in a lot behind the Car Toys store in Silverdale. It would collect and clean runoff in the area. Currently the runoff is flowing untreated into Clear Creek.

May believed the project would be the first time in the state where a stormwater pond was used to treat water from commercial areas.

Normally these projects only focused on county lands, May said, not commercial land.

"But to be quite honest with you, if you want to clean up Puget Sound or if you want to clean up Dyes Inlet or if you want to clean up Clear Creek you have to address the commercial areas that were built and had no stormwater treatment."

Otherwise, stormwater from about a 27-acre area would not be treated. And business owners were unlikely to do anything to manage stormwater runoff on their own, May said.

Read more from the original source:
Cleaning Kitsap's runoff proves to be a big job