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If you have a good strong trellis, are a bit of a gambler and have a love of kiwifruit, there’s no reason not to grow your own crop. As vigorous as they are, though, don’t expect to plop these vines into the ground and stand back. Kiwifruit need some attention to yield the large amount […]

Originally appeared at National Gardening Bureau Foodscaping is a great way to maximize beauty and bounty throughout the growing season. The Foodscape concept is simple: combine ornamental and edible plants together. It is all about making the most of the square footage you have access to, and containers are an ideal place to start! Before you get […]

Originally appeared at National Gardening Bureau Create a new kind of summer camp in your own backyard with flower forts, bean tunnels, vine-covered teepees, and other secret garden structures for kids. Pry the kids away from their screens and create a special outdoor space just for them! Everyone needs a space of their own, a place to unwind […]

In a world of increasing climate change and the invasion of more exotic insects and pests, sustainable gardening is more important than ever. We can all do our part to help by changing our practices – often just by a bit, depending on the methods you’ve already put in place. And if it all seems […]

Originally appeared at National Gardening Bureau If you grow hydrangea, spirea, flowering quince, or forsythia in your garden, your vases will overflow with beautiful blooms. Is there any greater pleasure for a gardener than harvesting and enjoying homegrown bounty, whether it’s a sun-warmed tomato or an armful of tulips? Just as garden-to-table meals satisfy veggie growers, […]

Originally appeared at National Gardening Bureau This year when you start your hunt for cool new accents to add to your garden, you’re far more likely to find tropical and subtropical stars such as cannas, cordylines, mandevillas, hibiscus, elephant ears, bananas, palms, dracaena, and various flowering gingers front and center. It’s thrilling to watch this trend […]

Growing melons takes some effort in western Oregon, but with the right methods it can end in sweet success. With a warmer, drier climate, eastern Oregon is well set up for cultivating melons. Western Oregon isn’t as hospitable, but you can accomplish a crop by choosing the right variety and following tips from Heidi Noordijk, […]

Originally appeared at National Gardening Bureau Growing your own supply of natural sponges is easy and fun. Luffa (loofah) sponges do not come from the sea but from the vegetable garden. These natural scrubbers belong in the family of plants that include gourds, squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons. They are most closely related to cucumbers in […]

Considering the 80 million home lawns in the country, there are a lot of people buying lawn mowers. How you choose between rotary, reel and electric models has to do with your situation and preferences, said Alec Kowalewski, Oregon State University Extension turfgrass specialist. All three have their pros and cons. Rotary and electric mowers, […]