In January and February the flowers of winter arrive, blooming as cheerfully as the showoffs of spring. “One of the coolest things about gardening in the Pacific Northwest is winter gardens,” said Neil Bell, a horticulturist with Oregon State University’s Extension Service. “Spring is overwhelming with flowers, but in winter it’s surprising. It’s nice to
Moderate pruning of highbush blueberries done every year can make the difference between a mediocre and a bumper crop – and production of quality fruit. Highbush blueberry, a native of North America, grows 6 to 12 feet tall and is the major blueberry-producing species in commerce. Its name refers to its tall stature. The best
The 18th Annual Plant Nerd Night will be held Friday, March 1 at Lake Bible Church in Lake Oswego. Presenters this year; Far Reaches Farm, N&M Herb Nursery, Rogerson Clematis Garden, Great Plant Picks, Dancing Oaks Nursery and Sebright Gardens. Location: Lake Bible Church 4565 Carman Drive Lake Oswego, Oregon Date/Time: Friday, March 1, 2019
The year 2018 is in the rearview mirror, but it’s not too late to catch up on the top stories of the last 12 months. Some were plant-centric (hydrangeas), some were pesky (yellowjackets) and others were practical (pruning shrubs). All caught the attention of readers across the state and beyond. The criteria for choosing the
The first time that I saw a rose garden with umbrellas over the plants to protect them from rain, I was in disbelief! “Umbrellas keeping the rain off of rose flowers,” I thought. “That must be a very obsessive gardener.” Since that time, I have learned that it is not an uncommon obsession for rose
From vodka in the water to I.V. tubes in the trunk, there are lots of urban myths about how to take care of your cut Christmas tree. Chal Landgren, a Christmas tree specialist with Oregon State University Extension Service, busts those myths with answers to some common questions. Q. How do I know a
Searching the internet for gardening information is quick but often frustrating and accuracy can be an issue. Asking a professional via the expediency and ease of an email provides answers you need backed by research you can trust. Ask an Expert, a free online question-and-answer service of Oregon State University’s Extension Service, has a cadre
Plants that bravely bloom in winter come into color when we need it most, so take advantage and plant plenty. Many gardeners are familiar with late-winter bloomers like forsythia and crocus, but Oregon State University Extension experts suggest planting less-common trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants for all eye levels of the garden. Some of the
No one likes to be told “no,” but sometimes you’ve got to buck up. Even the most seasoned gardener will admit to at least one or two bad habits. You know who you are; you haven’t cleaned your shovel all season. Well, we’ve gathered the expertise of eight of our Oregon State University Extension Service
Don’t hang up your gardening tools just yet. There’s still plenty to do. “It’s easy to forget gardening as we transition into fall, but work you do now will save you work next year,” said Weston Miller, a horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension Service. “For example, add compost and lime to the vegetable garden,
This time of year, insects and spiders are out and about – some in large numbers – looking for places to hunker down for winter. “Just like us, they’re coming inside to get warm,” said Brooke Edmunds, a horticulturist for Oregon State University Extension Service. “They’re not feeding on homes or humans, they’re just looking
When botanist John Bartram first identified a hydrangea native to the U.S. in the 1730s, little did he know it would become a mainstay of the garden with its iconic flowers implying romance with their blustery beauty. Hydrangeas populate millions of gardens and with good reason. They can be used as specimens in a place