When winter comes and the menu for birds shrinks in urban backyards, they rely on the kindness of humans. That doesn’t mean just a bird feeder of seeds and nuts. “Different birds are attracted to different foods and it’s good to have a variety,” said Dana Sanchez, a wildlife specialist for Oregon State […]
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Wisteria care: Take out clippers twice a year and go to town
Wisteria delivers a beautiful spring display, but this vigorous vine needs plenty of pruning to keep it from swallowing the garden. “Wisteria are very vigorous vines and can climb easily to 30 to 40 feet,” said Neil Bell, a horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension Service. “They can be quite heavy and should be grown […]
Get a leg up on fruit tree problems with dormant oils
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 […]
Turn to gardening books for comfort and inspiration
If you can’t garden, why not read about it? Books bring us comfort when the gloomy weather of winter is upon us. Even gardeners who love winter enjoy a good read. Add a fire and a cup of tea and relax with one of these 11 books recommended by Oregon State University Extension Service horticulturists. […]
New OSU volunteer program tackles statewide native bee inventory
Oregon is the first state in the nation to form a Master Melittologists program of trained community scientists dedicated to preserving and cataloguing bees that are native to the state. Like OSU Extension Master Gardeners, the Master Melittologist program intensively trains volunteers on the meticulous work of locating and cataloging the bees that no one […]
Gifts for the gardener
What do gardeners really want for the holidays? That depends, for gardeners are as unique as the plants that they tend. Here are some ideas that may spark inspiration for what to give your plant-obsessed friends and family. Unique indoor plants The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder, but we’re still […]
Are you looking for that perfect Christmas Tree or holiday décor?
The following OAN members have told us that they carry Christmas trees or holiday décor. We recommend visiting their website for more information and to verify any Covid-19 shopping requirements. Al’s Garden & Home of Sherwood 16920 SW Roy Rogers Rd., Sherwood, OR 97140 503-726-1162 www.als-gardencenter.com Al’s Garden & Home of Wilsonville 27755 SW Parkway […]
Some U-cut Christmas tree farms closed but supply adequate
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of Christmas tree sales in Oregon this year, according to Oregon State University Extension’s Christmas tree specialist. Supply should still be adequate — even better than the last few years – but some U-cut farms will bow out this year, said Chal Landgren, a professor in OSU’s College […]
Take one more go at the garden before retiring for winter
We’re running right into the holidays, daylight is in short supply and rain comes down days at a time, but if you can get out in the garden or at least the garage, you’ll be happier come spring. A perennial question is whether to cut down plants now or in spring. The answer is not […]
A gardener’s optimism has no limits
Resilient is a good word to describe Diana and Colby Lamb. Resilience is defined as spirit, hardiness, toughness, strength, buoyancy, and resistance. On September 8 at 12:15 a.m., there was a banging on the door of their Gates, Oregon house. It was a Marion County sheriff’s deputy telling them that there had been a recent […]