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Improving Your Soil for Better Gardening

By
Cary Sims
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Gardeners have truly appreciated the recent rain and are watching the weather and the calendar for opportunities to get to work outside. Be it your yard, landscape, or vegetable garden, many of us can’t wait for the sun to shine so we can start digging, prepping the garden, and planting!

But your ground isn’t the best. Can you really improve or “build” your soil? Indeed, we can. We build it by incorporating organic matter and lime if needed.

When it is empty and the weather is such that we can work it, be sure your first step is to add organic matter.

Is your soil too sandy? Add organic matter. Is it nothing but clay? Add organic matter.

The benefits of adding organic matter are numerous. Composted organic matter adds nutrients, increases water holding capacity in sandy soil, improves soil structure, and is loaded with beneficial microbes. Organic matter really is the miracle cure for bad soils and an obvious addition to whatever state in which you find your ground.

Compost can be from manures, lawn clippings, leaves or anything natural you can find. Many seasoned gardeners will till in leaves, pine straw, or other raw material into the soil months before it is to be used. This allows the soil to create its own compost.

Now if you are looking to start at a new garden site, one of our biggest challenges is finding well drained soil. So much of our ground has clay as a subsoil. This clay will typically be red in the northern part of Angelina County and grey in the southern portion. And well-drained soil is a must for many desirable shrubs, perennials, and vegetables.

Well-drained soil has everything to do with how quickly water will percolate through the soil. Many homeowners think that a sloping ground area that “sheds water” is “well drained.” Not so. Water must be allowed to move into the soil and then move through it. A few old timers may remember the percolation test that was required before the old septic field lines were laid. That is the type of test we need to perform.

If unsure that your garden site is poorly drained, there is an exacting, small sized test to see how well drained it is. Here is the method to follow:

Step 1: Dig a hole at least 12” in diameter by 12” deep, with straight sides. If you’re testing a large site, dig several holes scattered around, since drainage can vary.

Step 2: Fill the hole with water, and let it sit overnight. This saturates the soil and helps give a more accurate test reading.

Step 3: Refill the hole with water the next day.

Step 4: Measure the water level hourly by laying a stick, pipe, or other straight edge across the top of the hole, then use a tape measure or yardstick to determine the water level. Continue to measure the water level every hour until the hole is empty, noting the number of inches the water level drops per hour.

The ideal soil drainage is around 2” per hour. With readings between 1”- 3,” this is generally fine for most plants that have average drainage needs. If the rate is less than 1” per hour, your soil is poorly drained.

For exceedingly poor-drained soils, a solution for vegetables and many perennials is a raised bed. Whether in rows down your garden or landscape beds edged with timber, stone, or other material, raising the level of the soil, in which the desired plants will grow, should aid greatly.

The question is often asked, “Can I just dig out a deep hole, fill it full of good soil and create a well-drained soil that way?” Digging a hole like that will only create a big “clay bowl” that will still hold water quite well.

To overcome any uncertainty in the application of lime and additional fertilizer, you must take a soil test. Soil testing costs $15 per sample, plus $6-7 for postage if you mail it. SFA has a laboratory that tests soil for liming and fertilization. You can pick up a form at our office next to the Farmers Market on the south loop in Lufkin or print one off the internet yourself. Type “SFA soil test” into your search engine and select the first pdf option on the screen.

If you are interested in learning more about your soil, what it is best suited for and how you can improve it, the Angelina County Extension office will host an evening seminar Building Your Soil’s Health on Tuesday, January 17. The free seminar will start at 6:30 pm at the Extension office at 2201 S. Medford Dr, Lufkin, Texas. Attendees will learn how soil health affects productivity of your garden, pastures, hay meadows, and landscape. Participants will learn about fundamental principles and applicable solutions for common soil problems will be given.

Cary Sims is the County Extension Agent for agriculture and natural resources for Angelina County. His email address is cw-sims@tamu.edu.

The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife.

How to Effectively Water Your Plants

By
Bee Martinez
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Watering plants the right way is extremely important because if you don’t, they might die! Knowing how to water plants can help you understand the needs of your plant and could even benefit you. Here are three efficient ways to water your plants.

Misting Technique

To mist your plants put water in a spray bottle and spray the water on the plant. This prevents dust from staying on a plant. Misting should take place in the morning so that the leaves can dry during the day.

Sink/Bath Technique

Place the plants in a sink with water filled 3/4ths of the way to the plants and wait one hour. After the hour has rounded up, remove the plants and drain the sink. Repeat this as necessary (usually 2 to 3 times a month). This will provide your plant with enough water to live.

Double Potting Technique

Double potting is usually so that your plant has a more eye-pleasing appearance. To double pot, get a plant that has a pot with drainage holes and place this pot in the more pretty pot. Now you have a presentable plant!

Obviously there are more ways to water your plants, but be careful with what you choose to do for your plants. You never know what might happen if you’re not careful. Depending on the plant, they could die.

Daddy Daughter Dance (Angelina County)

By
Rozalin Martin
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The Daddy Daughter Dance is a chance to allow fathers, uncles, grandfathers, or father figures the opportunity to set an example and standard for how their daughter should be treated on a date. Get ready for a magical night away as you create a cherished memory that will last a lifetime while strengthening that special relationship. Enjoy light refreshments, music from a DJ, and an opportunity to have your memory captured she will cherish forever.

Quick, Easy Dinner Ideas for the Family to Enjoy

By
Larry Waldorp
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Sometimes, it’s hard to have to manage the rigorous schedule of working a 9-5 job, tending to the needs of your spouse, and feeding hungry children all the time. There just isn’t enough time in the day to spend preparing a luxurious meal for the entire family. But here are three, quick and simple dinners to get together that are tasty and enjoyable for your whole family.

  • Taco Soup

Ingredients: 2 pounds of ground beef, 1-½ cups of water, 1 envelope taco soup seasoning, 1 can of mild chili beans (undrained), 1 can of whole kernel corn (drained), 1 can of pinto or black beans (drained), stewed tomatoes, ranch salad dressing mix.

Cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning. Stir remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

  • Chicken Alfredo Penne

Ingredients: Olive oil, boneless skinless chicken breasts (cubed), sea salt, garlic powder, ground black pepper, box penne pasta, water, heavy cream, butter, parmesan cheese (grated), Italian seasoning (optional).

Cut chicken into cubes then season chicken and cook in a large pot over medium high heat until no longer pink. Add uncooked pasta and water or chicken broth. Add butter and heavy whipping cream. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and cook the pasta uncovered until the pasta is done. The sauce thickens as it cools. Add fresh broccoli florets if you want, or stir in spinach before serving.

  • Creamy Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients: Beef sirloin steak, olive oil, butter, yellow onion, white mushrooms, all purpose flour, dry sherry, beef broth, sour cream.

Season beef strips with salt and pepper. Sear in a large skillet over high heat and add olive oil. Add butter to the empty skillet and add the onions. Cook for 1 minute then add mushrooms and cook tender for 5 minutes. Add in garlic powder, flour and paprika and stir until thick. Splash in dry sherry and cook until liquid is evaporated.

Gradually stir in the beef broth, then whisk in the sour cream and stir until combined and the sauce begins to thicken. Add the steak strips back in. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve it over hot cooked egg noodles. Enjoy!

How to Make Buñuelos

By
Bee Martinez
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Ever since I was a kid, I would always look forward to any special occasion and eat Buñuelos. Those “tasty flour things” is what I would call them. Although I would always forget what they were called, I would always know how to describe them and its taste. However, I’m not here to describe the taste, I am here to help you make the taste!

What you’ll need:

  • 1/2 cup of flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 2 spoonfuls of sugar
    • Mix with egg beater
  • 2 eggs (3 egg whites)
  • 1/4 cup of water
  • 2 table spoons of melted butter
  • 3/4 table spoons of vanilla extract
    • Mix 1 cup of milk slowly as you stir
  • Pre warm rosette iron for 20 minutes

Now, there is another way to make Buñuelos. You start with making dough, flattening it, and then deep fry it. After deep frying the dough, you put it in a pile of sugar and enjoy!

Today however, I went along with my aunt and watched her make Buñuelos in a more simple way.

Let the rosette stand for 20 Minutes
Add all of the ingredients together
Stir ingredients

And now you’re basically done! All that’s left to do is place the Buñuelo in sugar and then you will be able to eat the delicious treat.

Of course, you will have a lot more than just one but that’s okay! Sharing is caring and I’m sure that your friends and family will enjoy the Buñuelo just as much as you.

More than fun and games: Celebrations can benefit your health and well-being

By
Larry Waldorp
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Newswise — Bloomington — Making an intentional effort to recognize positive life events and achievements while gathering for food and drink will leave you feeling more socially supported, new research shows.

The research, published online in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, finds that celebrations with three conditions — social gathering, eating or drinking, and intentionally marking a positive life event — will increase perceived social support. Perceived social support, according to previous research, is the belief you have a social network that will be there for you in case of future, negative life events. That belief is associated with health and well-being outcomes, including increased life-span and decreased anxiety and depression.

“Many celebrations this time of year include two of the three conditions – eating and drinking while gathering together,” said Kelley Gullo Wight, assistant professor at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and co-author of the study. “Adding the third condition, making an intentional effort to recognize other’s positive achievements, is key. For example, take the time to congratulate someone for getting accepted to their first-choice university, or a work project that went well, or a new job offer. This will maximize the benefits to your well-being and the well-being of all the attendees at that holiday party.”

Wight and her co-authors, including professors Danielle Brick of the University of Connecticut, and James Bettman, Tanya Chartrand, and Gavan Fitzsimons of Duke University, used behavioral experiments to survey thousands of participants over several years.

The research revealed that even if gatherings are virtual, if everyone has food and drink (no matter if it’s healthy or indulgent) and they’re celebrating positive events, this also increases a person’s perceived social support, and they can receive the same well-being benefits from it.

It also has implications for marketing managers or anyone looking to raise funds for a good cause.

“We found that when people feel supported socially after a celebration, they’re more ‘pro-social,’ and more willing to volunteer their time or donate to a cause,” said Danielle Brick, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Connecticut and co-author on the study. “This would be a good time for non-profits to market donation campaigns, around the time many people are celebrating positive life events, like holidays or graduations.”

The researchers note that hosting celebrations that increase perceived social support can be especially beneficial at places serving populations more at-risk of loneliness and isolation, like nursing homes or community centers.

They also note the importance of understanding the well-being benefits of celebrations for policymakers looking to implement regulations or measures that could impact social gatherings, like COVID lockdowns, to avoid negative consequences to mental health. They recommend that if organizers need to have virtual celebrations, they should involve some type of consumption and the marking of a separate, positive life event, so people leave the celebration feeling socially supported.

For more information, visit Newswise.com

Chief Deputy Mark Mclin Speaks at Angelina GOP Republican Party Meeting

By
Larry Waldorp
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On January 10, 2023, in Lufkin, Texas, Angelina County held its first Republican party meeting of the year at 6:00 PM, at Fairview Baptist Church in which Acting Sheriff and Chief Deputy Mark Mclin was the featured speaker at last night’s meeting and also took questions from those in attendance.

Mclin has served the community of Angelina County for 24 years as a member of law enforcement. Prior to this, he was an insurance salesman, then manager of a furniture store for 7 years. He joined the police academy while managing the store and got his TCOLE license in 1999. He also supervised the criminal investigation division and worked narcotics.

Some things that were mentioned was the lack of manpower in law enforcement, and overcrowded jails. There is a small number of jailers with convicts who have COVID and 80% of the prisoners are waiting for a trial. There has already been 13 million dollars pledged toward building a 13,000 square foot addition to the jail with 126 beds, but it will be approximately 2 years before it is able to be completed and utilized. Mclin also mentioned the new cadet program, in which every 3 years, $1,500 will be added to salary up to 18 years. It is set up to hire people off the street, go through background checks and pay them to go to the police academy, with the contract being a two-year commitment to the training.

When asked about how to slow crime rates down, Mclin simply stated, “With the climate in this nation, how officers are portrayed, it’s harder now to hire anyone for the job.” He says that having more boots on the ground, acting efficiently, and proactive policework, which is patrolling through neighborhoods, watching traffic. If shorthanded, all the officers can do is respond to calls, making it harder to patrol crime.

Mclin continued by stating that the job can be nerve-wrecking because you never know what the next call is going to be, or what’s going to happen next. Someone could have firearms, there could be family bickering and split-second decisions have to be made constantly. One could go to jail, be fired, or be sued if a wrong decision is made–like killing a resident in an accident during a shootout, or running over a civilian in the middle of a pursuit.

Being a member of law enforcement requires intuition, Mclin believes.

“Like on a traffic stop, you might have to look for more criminal activity. Someone could be lying. You have to look for signs, signs of suspicion.”

Mclin believes the key to performing such a duty as serving on law enforcement is staying calm, one also has to have the ability to communicate with people and seek to de-escalate any problems. Mclin said that he would suggest to anyone seeking to serve, that they come out and do a couple of ride-alongs with officers.

His last point was that there are a majority of cops that are in it for a good and pure purpose, and that every sect has a bad apple. But the community as a whole has the power to change the atmosphere, and weed out the poison that affects us. 

How to Prevent Worsening Diabetes

By
Larry Waldorp
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In a world where the consumption of fast food is growing rapidly by the day, the need for health is at an all-time high. One of the most common diseases among Americans in almost any age group is diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease and it occurs when the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot use the amount of insulin produced. There are talks of remission, but to cure it is unlikely because beta cells, which produce insulin, when damaged especially through genetics, make the body susceptible to disease again and again. But there are ways to fight against the worsening of diabetes. And the most effective way is through food intake.

  • Beans

Both kidney beans and pinto beans are great for protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are beneficial in the sense that they improve blood sugar control and heart health. They also can lower risk of chronic disease.

And both navy and black beans are low in calories and are beneficial for weight loss. Navy beans provide a feeling of satiety, so people tend to eat less during the day. Black beans are rich in soluble fiber, which can aid in reducing belly fat.

  • Leafy greens

Spinach has shown that it can decrease oxidative stress, improve eye health, and prevent heart disease and cancer.

Lettuce, having high levels of potassium can help maintain cardiovascular (overall heart) health. It is good for hydration, over 95% of raw lettuce is made up of water. Lettuce is also good for bone health.

Both collard greens and turnip greens protect against cancers. Turnip greens are rich in vitamin K, which is beneficial for bone metabolism and materialization. They also contain calcium, for blood coagulation. Collard greens are great for reducing belly fat and protect the brain from cognitive decline.

There are also things to avoid, though. If you are suffering from diabetes or any other disease, eating healthy is one step, but it also goes hand-in-hand with resisting unhealthy contents, such as:

  • Sugar-packed drinks

These drinks are associated with weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay and cavities, and gout, a type of arthritis.

  • Candy

It is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Candy plays havoc with cholesterol levels and appetite control. And too much consumption of it can also make one depressed.

  • Processed Meats

Processed meats increase risk of bowel and stomach cancer. They are the main culprit behind heart failure.

For more information on healthy ways to prevent worsening diabetes, go to mayoclinic.org

Cheers With The Chamber | Cadence Bank (Angelina County)

By
Rozalin Martin
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Cheers with the Chamber is a great opportunity for networking and building connections within the community. It is also a wonderful way for Chamber Investors to showcase their business and all that they have to offer.

William Lee Martin: Comedy Stampede Tour (Angelina County)

By
Rozalin Martin
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Absolutely sure to sell out! Comedian William Lee Martin brings his 2023 Comedy Stampede Tour to you. His brilliant storytelling style is sure to make you laugh and feel good. It’s comedy without an agenda. Amazingly funny. You deserve a night out!

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