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 […]
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As avian flu outbreak reaches state, experts say it’s OK to leave bird feeders up
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 […]
What to do in your garden in June
June is one of the best times to enjoy gardening. The days are long, the sun is hopefully out, and it’s a prime time to see things grow and bloom. Just get out and enjoy! But if you’re looking for stuff to do, one can build structures for climbing plants and vegetables, prune back things […]
Gardeners flock to phlox
This wildflower perennial works well in woodland, prairie and meadow landscape Phlox are an easy-to-find wildflower stretching from Florida and Quebec to Alaska. One of the classic American perennials, this was one of the earliest North American natives to enter cultivation. With vibrant flower colors and blooms lasting many weeks, it is easy to understand what […]
Oregon’s lushest gardens
Republished with permission from TravelOregon.com Gardens not only make the world a more beautiful place, they’re good for you. In fact, plants make life healthier. Researchers have found that people who spend time outdoors basking in the beauty of plants — in gardens, parks and other green spaces — benefit from increased activity, leading to […]
Cascade Nursery Trail nurseries are having a spring fever open house
Three day extravaganza of garden touring, plant sales and special events at their annual open house, perfectly timed for peak garden photo ops! Feel the fever of plant lust and the thrill of finding those alluring beauties as you fill your wagon at each stop, pausing for some sage gardening advice from your nursery hosts […]
Savor a scent-sational garden with fragrant plants
What’s your favorite garden memory? Is it burying your nose in sweet lavender lilacs, sneaking a sip of nectar from fragrant honeysuckle as a child, snipping spicy roses for a bouquet, or harvesting piney rosemary for recipes? Whatever your memories evoke, they’re sure to be tied to scent. After all, smell, emotion, and memories are closely […]
Moles, voles and gophers dig the garden
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 […]
Four flower sources for your Victorian garden
Whenever we start a garden, we wonder what we should put in it. Do I want annuals, perennials, shrubs, or maybe biennials? Perhaps some ornamental grasses would work as well. Victorian gardeners in the late nineteenth century faced this same dilemma, but James Vick (1818-1882) had the answers. Owner of a seed company in Rochester, NY […]
Pollinator predicament: What happens when the birds and bees can’t do it?
When it comes to birds, bees, plants, and pollination, timing truly is everything. And, in the Rocky Mountains, where short summers dictate extreme synchronicity, the timing is off. Less snow and earlier springs may be a blessing for those of us who tire of winter around the first of February but for the tiny plants and animals […]