This all-day workshop on all things soil is a must for gardeners, landscapers and managers of small scale farms. When: Saturday, April 7, from 8 AM to 4 PM (Check-in 8-8:30 am) Where: PCC Rock Creek Event Center, 17705 NW Springville Road, PDX Cost: $30 per person or $50 for two people (Breakfast snacks &
Join OSU Master Gardeners™ for essential gardening tips at Garden Discovery Day, March 3, 8:30 am to noon, at the Milwaukie Center, 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie. This fun event covers a wide range of topics through classes, demonstrations, educational displays, and soil pH testing service. In one morning, you will gain all you
They float in the wind, get shaken off pets and wildlife, travel the world stuck to luggage or clothes and hitch rides by plane, ship, train, truck and car. Invasive weeds enter backyards in multiple ways and once there can cause havoc. “With some of these weeds, you have to fight them forever,” said Ed
You’ve got clippers in hand, a shrub in mind and a gleam in your eye. It’s pruning time. But do you have a plan? Before you clip a stem, know your shrub, said Neil Bell, horticulturist for Oregon State University’s Extension Service. “What you want to focus on is flowering time and growth habit,” he
An uptick in urban rats has homeowners frantically trying to figure out ways to thwart infestations. “It is a bad year for rats,” said Dana Sanchez, wildlife specialist for Oregon State University Extension Service. “Eugene and parts of Portland are experiencing a noticeable increase. It could mean there are more rats or it could be
We hope to see you at the following garden-related events in 2018! Spring Home & Garden Show February 22–25, 2018 at the Portland Expo Center. Location: Portland Expo Center 2060 N Marine Dr Portland, OR 97217 Dates/Hours: Thursday, February 22: 11am – 8pm Friday, February 23: 11am – 8pm Saturday, February 24: 11 am
Just when you’re ready for a long winter’s nap, it’s time to tend your fruit trees. If you don’t, chances are they’ll struggle in the coming season. Giving them attention now helps ward off insects and diseases, said Steve Renquist, a horticulturist for Oregon State University Extension Service who has taught hundreds of gardeners the
For mason bees, the wait for their first meal is a long one, nine months if it’s a day. There’s no TV, no smartphone, not even a book to while away the time as these solitary bees hang out in their tight cocoons waiting for the cool temperatures of early spring to break them out
Many gardeners are familiar with garden centers, where they can get annuals, supplies, fertilizers, gloves and other items. These are usually found in well-populated areas and carry a wide variety of annuals, perennials and woody plants. But for something a little bit different, gardeners can also turn to specialty nurseries. These nurseries offer an unparalleled
In January and February the flowers of winter arrive, blooming as cheerfully as the showoffs of spring. “One of the coolest things about gardening in the Pacific Northwest is winter gardens,” said Neil Bell, a horticulturist with Oregon State University’s Extension Service. “Spring is overwhelming with flowers, but in winter it’s surprising. It’s nice to
Many homeowners struggle with moss that invades lawns as winter rains provide just the right conditions for its growth. “The most frequent winter time question I receive regarding lawn maintenance is, ‘How do I get rid of moss?’” said Alec Kowalewski, turf grass specialist for Oregon State University Extension Service. To answer that question, Kowalewski
As freezing weather moves in, gardeners may be worrying about how to protect their plants from the cold. Experts with Oregon State University Extension Service, recommend several ways to guard your landscape from frigid conditions. Though snow can act as excellent mulch on the ground, it can also weigh down the branches of shrubs with