Make the McKenzie Connection!
Make the McKenzie Connection!
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Fruits and vegetables in gardens dusted with wildfire ash are generally safe to eat with proper cleaning, according to Oregon State University Extension Service experts. Rinsing produce outdoors and then again in the kitchen sink helps remove ash and fine particulates, said Brooke Edmunds, associate professor and Extension community horticulturist in the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences. Ash and smoke are unlikely to penetrate intact fruits and vegetables, she said, but risk increases the...
Gardeners who aren't ready to hang up their gloves just yet can still plant cold-hardy vegetables for harvest next spring. But don't wait too long. "Winter gardening is a risky business," said Jim Myers, Baggett‑Frazier Endowed Chair of Vegetable Breeding and Genetics in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University. "It may work one year with a mild winter but not another when the weather is more severe. If you plant some cold-hardy vegetables from mid-August to early October - d...
Healthy plants start with healthy soil, and that means understanding soil texture, said James Cassidy, a soils instructor at Oregon State University. "The texture of a soil is its proportion of sand, silt and clay," Cassidy said. "Texture determines drainage, aeration, water-holding capacity, erosion potential and even nutrient storage." Cassidy recommends the "hand method" to get acquainted with your soil. Dig beneath the organic matter to the mineral layer, about 6 to 8 inches deep, and scoop...
Seeing a rat in the yard - or worse, inside your home - can be an alarming experience. And for good reason. "Rats are very intelligent and resourceful," said Dana Sanchez, Extension wildlife specialist with Oregon State University. "Simply putting down a trap and expecting a rat to fall into it won't work." Rats have long been associated with garbage and unsanitary conditions, which often leads people to avoid acknowledging a problem. That reluctance, Sanchez said, plays to rats' advantage....
Himalayan blackberry has become one of the Pacific Northwest's most invasive weeds, spreading rapidly from Northern California to British Columbia. A single plant can grow into a six-square-yard thicket in less than two years, crowding out native vegetation and desirable landscape plants. "Blackberries keep popping up because of their tremendous and effective dispersal potential," said Brooke Edmunds, horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. "Blackberry canes can...
Gardening can be therapeutic - emotionally, mentally and physically - but for some it can feel out of reach. Good design and practices can make gardening accessible for everyone. "We all have challenges if we live long enough," said Corinne Thomas-Kersting, an Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener volunteer and a retired speech-language pathologist. "We have different challenges. Even when you're young and healthy there are things to do to prevent future disabilities."...
So, your vegetable garden is growing lush and fruitful - or not. If it's the latter, your plants may need a nutritional boost. Chip Bubl, retired associate professor and horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, has offered vegetable gardening advice for many years. He shares these tips for midsummer feeding of garden plants. Most vegetable gardeners begin the season by applying a balanced fertilizer worked into the soil prior to planting. For light-feeding crops, this...
If you want to prolong color in your landscape from summer into fall, consider planting evergreen shrubs called Hebes for vivid flowers and striking foliage. "Most Hebes flower in the summer, but others bloom in late fall," said Neil Bell, horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. "Some have colorful foliage that lasts through autumn. They provide an interesting change from the usual asters and maples we customarily rely on for autumn interest." Native to New Zealand,...
Hotter temperatures and longer stretches between measurable moisture mean many plants need more water from the end of a hose. Choosing plants that require less water saves time and money while helping sustain Oregon’s water supply, said Amy Jo Detweiler, horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. Detweiler recommends these 10 low-water options for landscapes across Oregon: Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) A compact deciduous shrub about 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide w...
Most people shudder when they see maggots in a bin composter or compost pile. They may look startling, but they won't harm you or the compost. In fact, they help break down plant and animal tissues. Often, these "maggots" are the larval stage of soldier flies (Hermetia illucens), according to Linda Brewer, Oregon State University Extension Service soil scientist. This European insect is now widespread across North America. Soldier flies are especially common where flies have access to wet,...
When extreme heat strikes, gardens often suffer. After a heat wave, it's common for gardeners to see signs of stress or damage - scorched leaves, drooping stems, even plant loss. Heather Stoven, horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, says the effects of high temperatures can look dramatic, but not all damaged plants are beyond saving. Here are recommendations from Stoven and other Extension experts for helping plants recover after a heat wave: * Hold off on pruning....
Knowing the hows and whys of tomato diseases gives gardeners a leg up when it comes to growing one of the garden's most treasured vegetables. Brooke Edmunds, horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension Service, offers tips for recognizing and managing common tomato problems throughout the growing season. Blossom drop Often caused by dry soil and dry winds, but may also result from a sudden cold spell, heavy rain or excessive nitrogen. Usually, not all blossoms will fall off - another...
It appears overnight and looks like a horror-show blob that's slithered its way into your garden. The gross-looking substance known as slime mold shows up on mulch and lawns but is harmless to plants. Instead, it feeds on decaying matter, fungi or bacteria, said Neil Bell, a retired horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. While active, slime mold can "flow" across mulch for several feet, eating dead matter as it goes. "It's called slime mold and is not harming the...
As warmer weather arrives, it's a good idea to evaluate your garden and be ready to help plants through hot and dry spells. Oregon State University Extension Service experts recommend several strategies to keep landscapes healthy during summer. Water your landscape strategically * Time it right: Water early in the morning when temperatures are lower. * Go deep: Rather than watering lightly every day, water infrequently and deeply to a depth of 8–10 inches. * Lawns: Apply ½–¾ inc...
Gardeners should be glad to see snakes glide through the garden. These much-maligned reptiles consume slugs, grubs, mice, voles and rats - offering free, chemical-free pest control. The vast majority of snakes in Oregon help manage common garden and landscape pests. * Garter snakes feed on slugs and other invertebrates. * Sharp-tailed snakes add grubs - including Japanese beetle grubs - to their diet. * Rubber boas specialize in mice and voles, following them into tunnels. * Gopher snakes prey...
Growing melons in Western Oregon can be challenging, but with the right variety and techniques, gardeners can enjoy sweet success. Eastern Oregon's warmer, drier climate makes it well-suited for growing melons. In Western Oregon, however, cooler conditions require more attention to variety selection and cultivation methods, said Heidi Noordijk, metro small farms outreach coordinator with the Oregon State University Extension Service. "Be discerning when you choose a variety," Noordijk said....
With deeply lobed silver leaves and a 3-foot stature, the artichoke adds drama to the garden and delight to the dinner table. Artichokes can brighten up a perennial border, serve as a striking specimen plant or anchor a vegetable garden. But most people grow them for their edible appeal - leathery leaves perfect for dipping and the tender, flavorful heart at the center. Although artichokes thrive in the cool, moist climate of coastal California, Western Oregon is usually mild enough to grow...
Consider adding some flower power to your landscape to bring in the buzz of pollinators. "Floral abundance is one of the strongest ways to promote bee diversity in gardens," said Gail Langellotto, entomologist and professor in the Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences. "Also, bees forage better for nectar and pollen in warm, sunny spots." A colorful blend of flowers also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, she said. To get started, Langellotto recommends the following...
Gardeners hoping to conserve water can start by growing crops that naturally need less of it. Choosing drought-tolerant vegetables and matching irrigation to plant needs makes water-wise gardening both practical and productive. "Some vegetables, such as beans, are adapted to drought conditions at a very basic, cellular level," said Jim Myers. "Tepary beans grow successfully in desert and near-desert conditions. They're native to the American Southwest and have been a staple food crop there for...
When winter ends, many Oregon homeowners are left with piles of fireplace ash. Instead of tossing it in the trash, ash can be applied to soil - provided it is used thoughtfully. Because wood ash comes from plant material, it contains many of the 16 essential nutrients plants need for growth, according to Linda Brewer, a soil scientist in Oregon State's Department of Horticulture in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Wood ash is also "a minor source of soluble phosphorus and potassium," both...
If you have a strong trellis, a little gumption and a love of kiwifruit, you can grow your own. Just don't expect to plant and walk away. Hardy kiwifruit - often called kiwiberries - produce grape-size fruit with smooth, edible skin and a fragrant flavor. Vines are very winter hardy, and fruit ripen on the vine from mid-September into mid-October. You'll sometimes find them at farmers markets and some grocery stores in fall. Kiwifruit need attention to reach their potential, said Amanda Davis, b...
Lilac lovers eagerly await the pink, lavender and white blossoms of spring. But an outbreak of lilac blight can quickly turn that joy into disappointment. Cool, wet springs favor development of lilac blight, especially if rains follow a late frost or winter injury, according to Jay Pscheidt, Oregon State University Extension plant pathologist. Known to scientists as lilac bacterial blight, the disease is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. The same organism causes...
Oregon is one of the best places to grow strawberries, and early spring is the time to plant new crowns. Plant as soon as soil can be worked and sites have full sun and good drainage. With the right mix of types and cultivars, you can harvest through much of the season. Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) fall into three categories: * June-bearers. One large crop in June; best for jam and freezing; generally top texture and flavor. * Everbearers. Two lighter crops - June and late summer. *...
To support pollinators, many people are creating eco-friendly spaces around their homes, including replacing grass lawns with flowering plants. That's no easy task, according to Carolyn Breece, Oregon State University Extension Service faculty research assistant in the Oregon State Honey Bee Lab. Since 2016, Breece has studied flowering lawn substitutes. The results show that transitioning from an all-grass lawn to a flowering lawn is challenging. "The first year it was beautiful," Breece said....
Get onions in the ground in spring and avoid heartbreak at harvest. Plant as soon as soil is dry enough to work - March and April are prime - said Jim Myers, Baggett‑Frazier Endowed Chair of Vegetable Breeding and Genetics in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University. Most onions grown in Oregon are long-day types. They make green tops until day length reaches about 14 hours, which triggers bulbing. Early planting lets plants size up before bulbing begins - and larger plants m...
