Don’t neglect to water garden in summer
No matter the stereotype, summers are dry in Oregon and gardens need to be watered regularly, especially in times of drought as the forecast calls for this year. Information is […]
Know what your plants need before fertilizing
In a perfect world, garden plants would feed themselves. As it is, we’ve got to help them along sometimes. Plants take up nutrients from the soil but when those nutrients […]
Don’t overlook these late bloomers
During the busy spring months, when blooming flowers are everywhere on nursery tables, it’s easy to overlook plants that don’t show off their color until late summer. I have many […]
OSU Master Gardener state conference open to all
Stellar speakers, inspiration and new friends await gardeners attending the Growing Gardens conference July 13-14 at Linfield College in McMinnville. The event, presented by the Oregon Master Gardner Association in […]
Get a leg up by learning which vegetable varieties do best
A new publication on some the best vegetable varieties for western Oregon gardens has been released by Oregon State University Extension Service. Vegetable Variety Trials 2017, co-authored by Brooke Edmunds, […]
25 plants for attracting native bees to the garden
Honeybees get all the attention, but they aren’t the only bees pollinating our gardens. In Oregon, over 500 native bees are out doing their part, too. As National Pollinator Week […]
Drought-tolerant Ceanothus makes a beautiful addition to the garden
Life is tough for plants sitting in a field without food or water. Such was the case for wild lilac (Ceanothus) when Neil Bell, a horticulturist for Oregon State University’s […]
Dalliance with dahlias leads to 34-year love affair
In the garden of Laura and Mark Oldenkamp 400 dahlias bob with blooms as small as golf balls and as large a dinner plates. “We love how diverse they are,” […]
Grow your own strawberries for sweet satisfaction
Whether dipped in chocolate, tossed in a fruit salad or eaten naked, strawberries say summer in a big way. But they aren’t always cheap or sweet when bought at the […]
Pucker up, it’s time to talk lemons
With their sweetly scented flowers and sweet-tart flavor, Meyer lemons are a no-brainer for container gardening in the Northwest. Even though they are not cold hardy in any but the […]