Author: Kym Pokorny

As the warmer weather returns, it’s a good idea to evaluate your garden for the upcoming summer. Take a lesson from the 2021 historic heat dome and be prepared to help plants through hot and dry weather as the season progresses. Here are some tips from Oregon State University Extension Service experts for preparing for […]

After 12 years of research, a parasitic wasp that controls a highly destructive fruit fly will be released by Oregon State University agricultural scientists in June. Vaughn Walton, Extension entomologist and professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture has permitted release of the wasp (Ganaspis brasiliensis), a slow process […]

With the current outbreak of avian flu, wild bird enthusiasts wonder if they should take down backyard feeders. Since songbirds very rarely catch the illness, experts say there is no need to remove the feeders. “Currently veterinarians tell us there is very low risk to native songbirds from the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain, said […]

Spring brings buds and blooms, but it also brings moles, voles and gophers. The small mammals take gardeners to their knees to peer down tunnels, set traps and toss in everything from kitty litter to gum. They wage war against the critters before they know what they’re fighting, which can lead to frustration. “How you […]

For gardeners spring really kicks in when the plant sales start. For two years, Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener Association plant sales stalled because of COVID-19. As they reappear, shoppers are happily planning their annual haul. The sales are held statewide, with 19 counties holding an event this year, according to LeAnn Locher, […]

With white trumpet-shaped flowers and thin stems that twine around just about anything, bindweed is one of the most frustrating weeds for home gardeners. This invasive perennial makes itself at home by sinking roots as much as 9 feet into the soil and can stay as an unwanted guest for up to 20 years. Known […]

You visit the nursery, pick out a primo plant, come home, put it in the ground and wait for it to become a beautiful tree, shrub or perennial. Then spring arrives and it’s dead or floundering. What happened? In some cases, cold temperatures are the culprit. It’s a matter of right plant, right place, said […]

Sweet peas are a classic flower in English gardens since they were introduced in the 17th century from southern Italy and have transplanted well to all parts of the world, including climate-friendly Oregon. The first sweet peas had relatively small flowers but possessed a powerful and attractive fragrance. Sweet pea flowers naturally self-pollinate while still […]

Moving into a new house often comes with an intimidating proposition for many homeowners – mature trees thick with branches that need serious pruning. Knowledge is everything when it comes to pruning mature trees, said Nicole Sanchez, Oregon State University Extension Service horticulturist. But proper, easy-to-understand instructions can be hard to find. To help fill […]

When you walk about your yard on a wet day, do your shoes stick in the mud? Could you make ceramic pots out of the soil in your garden? If the answers are yes to both, odds are you have clay soil, one of the biggest challenges for the home gardener. Clay soils in the […]