It’s easy to grab the pretty flowers staring back at you from the nursery shelves but try straying from the usual and plant vibrant shrubs to spice up the garden. Experts with the Oregon State University Extension Service suggest looking for shrubs with a range of shapes and sizes of foliage to contrast with the
A soil thermometer is a gardener’s best friend as spring approaches and it’s time to plant cool-season vegetables such as peas, kale, fava beans and radishes. “With a thermometer, no guess work is needed. Soil temperature is the best indicator of when to plant each type of vegetable, no matter what climate zone you live
In the rows where your vegetables grow, good neighbors can make all the difference by helping with everything from pest control to providing windbreaks and shade. Pam Zaklan, who has been an Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener program since 2011, has long known the affinity of plants for each other. She came about
As you clean the fireplace, do your plants a favor and sprinkle the ashes in the garden instead of throwing them in the garbage. Because wood ash is derived from plant material, it contains most of the 13 essential nutrients the soil supplies for plant growth, according to Dan Sullivan, OSU Extension soil scientist. “When
Many vegetables grow well in containers located on a patio, porch, balcony or windowsill, so don’t let lack of yard space keep you from gardening this spring and summer. Limited garden space precludes being able to grow some of the larger vegetables, according to Brooke Edmunds, Oregon State University Extension Service horticulturist. For instance, growing
As the gardening season gears up, it’s time to bust some myths. How many times have you heard that leaving grass clippings on the lawn will promote thatch buildup? How many times have you been told to add gravel to the bottom of a plant container to improve drainage? Well, guess what? Neither of those
This all-day workshop on all things soil is a must for gardeners, landscapers and managers of small scale farms. When: Saturday, April 7, from 8 AM to 4 PM (Check-in 8-8:30 am) Where: PCC Rock Creek Event Center, 17705 NW Springville Road, PDX Cost: $30 per person or $50 for two people (Breakfast snacks &
Join OSU Master Gardeners™ for essential gardening tips at Garden Discovery Day, March 3, 8:30 am to noon, at the Milwaukie Center, 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie. This fun event covers a wide range of topics through classes, demonstrations, educational displays, and soil pH testing service. In one morning, you will gain all you
They float in the wind, get shaken off pets and wildlife, travel the world stuck to luggage or clothes and hitch rides by plane, ship, train, truck and car. Invasive weeds enter backyards in multiple ways and once there can cause havoc. “With some of these weeds, you have to fight them forever,” said Ed
You’ve got clippers in hand, a shrub in mind and a gleam in your eye. It’s pruning time. But do you have a plan? Before you clip a stem, know your shrub, said Neil Bell, horticulturist for Oregon State University’s Extension Service. “What you want to focus on is flowering time and growth habit,” he
An uptick in urban rats has homeowners frantically trying to figure out ways to thwart infestations. “It is a bad year for rats,” said Dana Sanchez, wildlife specialist for Oregon State University Extension Service. “Eugene and parts of Portland are experiencing a noticeable increase. It could mean there are more rats or it could be
We hope to see you at the following garden-related events in 2018! Spring Home & Garden Show February 22–25, 2018 at the Portland Expo Center. Location: Portland Expo Center 2060 N Marine Dr Portland, OR 97217 Dates/Hours: Thursday, February 22: 11am – 8pm Friday, February 23: 11am – 8pm Saturday, February 24: 11 am