Extension Service Site Publications

• (2019) How to extend the growing season in tough climates Home gardeners can sometimes be too eager to get plants in the ground and that can spell failure. There are methods, however, to extend the growing season by providing plants with the protection they need from the cold.
  
• (2020) How to create a pollinator-friendly landscape No matter the space available, there is a way to support and enhance pollinators in the home landscape. An Extension Service guide provides tips on how to do that with information specifically for Oregon.
• (2019) How to tell friend from foe among garden insects For home gardeners, seeing insects on their plants can be a cause for alarm. But not every insect poses a threat. Here are some clues to look for to discern the beneficial insects from the damaging ones.
• (2020) Where the growing season is short, choose quick-maturing vegetables In areas with short growing seasons like the Klamath Basin, home vegetable gardeners should choose varieties that mature quickly. But even getting those plants to maturity may require some protection from the cold.
• (2020) How to recognize the signs of Verticillium wilt Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that attacks plants and trees and disrupts the circulation of water and nutrients. Although it is best diagnosed by lab testing, here are some signs that gardeners can look out for.
• (2020) Seed packet info is a gardener's guide Seed packets have helpful information that assists vegetable gardeners in making the best choices for particular situations whether the goal is increased production, disease resistance, seed saving or quick maturity.
  
  
• (2019) Use worms to speed up the composting process Red wigglers are the wonder worms of composting. In areas where naturally formed compost takes forever to develop, inviting actual worms into your home via vermicomposting may be worthwhile.
• (2019) Honeybees aren't the only hard-working pollinators When most people think of pollinators, they think of honeybees. But there are literally hundreds of species of pollinators all around us — including native bees and a variety of other insects.
• (2020) For late-season plantings, think leafy greens The best options for late-season plantings in areas with short growing seasons are vegetables that mature quickly or tolerate frost once mature. Many of the appropriate choices fall into the category of “leafy greens.”
• (2019) How drought stress affects landscape trees Drought creates stress on trees that isn't always obvious until it's too late. It's often difficult to connect the dots between a lack of water and a problem. Here's a look at how drought stress affects trees.
• (2020) Some culinary herbs can double as flower displays Most culinary herbs lose their distinctive flavors when they start to bloom. But the flowers they produce share characteristics sought in cut flowers: fragrance, long stems and long vase life.
• (2019) The basics of selecting garden seeds In the winter, many gardeners' heads are filled with visions of flourishing plants and bountiful harvests. Making those visions into reality starts with seeds. Here's what to consider when deciding on seeds to buy.
• (2020) Timing is key to treating fruit trees It can be challenging to grow fruit trees in areas like the Klamath Basin where frost and bloom time occasionally intersect. Even when everything is done just right, there will be years when no fruit will be produced.
• (2020) What to plant to survive cool spring nights In areas with warm days and cool nights during the spring, gardeners can be lured into thinking anything can go into the ground. But those cool nights can be killers. Here's a look at how to avoid this springtime trap.
• (2020) Thoughtful use of water in the garden pays off How can home gardeners use water in the most efficient way possible? Here's a look at the best ways to deliver water in the garden and keep it available to be absorbed by plants for as long as possible.
• (2020) Herbs are easy to grow and have many uses Herbs include some of the easiest plants to grow. In addition to culinary uses, herbs offer fragrance, oils that deter pests and flowers that support pollinators. Here's a look at how to grow five popular varieties.
• (2023) New to the garden? Here are a few tips For new gardeners, that first growing season will provide many lessons. Foremost among them are that gardening takes patience and discipline. Here are some tips for first-timers, especially those in cooler climates.
• (2019) The essential elements of a successful squash crop For home gardeners, squash is a satisfying crop to grow. It grows fast and the harvest is famously abundant. Here's what gardeners need to know about growing squash, from putting seeds in the ground to harvesting.
• (2020) Lettuce is an easy choice for the home garden Lettuce is one of the easiest and fastest vegetables to grow, a natural choice for both new and experienced gardeners. Lettuce is well suited for both in-ground and container gardening. Here are some tips for success.
• (2020) A home gardener's guide to growing blackberries Blackberries are ubiquitous in Oregon but to grow them in the home garden takes some planning and know-how. Choosing the right variety for your environment and proper off-season care are key to success at home.
• (2020) Containers and raised beds offer options for gardeners Not every yard is suited for in-ground gardening. In rental situations or in areas with poor soil, garden space must sometimes be “created.” That's when raised beds and containers come into play.
• (2020) Different varieties of strawberries require different care To successfully grow strawberries in a home garden, understanding the needs of particular cultivars is possibly the biggest challenge for long-term fruit production. Not all strawberries are cared for the same way.
• (2020) How to keep deer away when a garden fence isn't practical For gardeners, deer can be a formidable foe. The only sure-fire defense is the double fence, which is costly and unsightly. But there are several other tactics that, while not permanent solutions, can keep deer at bay.
• (2020) Root crops can jump-start your spring garden For vegetable gardeners who are eager to get going in the spring, root crops are a reliable choice. Radishes, carrots, beets, turnips and onions just need some good soil and consistent watering to jump-start a garden.
• (2019) Don't trust online tips for repurposing kitchen scraps When it comes to information about growing plants from kitchen scraps, the internet can be an unreliable source. Questionable online tips often lead experimental repurposers to abandon their efforts prematurely.
• (2019) Five insights into plant cold hardiness Cold hardiness is an important consideration in Klamath Falls and similar climates. According to the USDA cold hardiness map (https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/#), Klamath Falls is in Zone 6B. This tells us that the average annual winter minimum temperature here is -5 to 0°F.
• (2020) As the sun sets on growing season, it's time to winterize When winter hits, the growing season may be over but work in the garden goes on. Here's how to winterize your garden and position it for a successful growing season.
• (2020) Demystifying garden fertilizers Consider the variety of fertilizers at any garden center: It’s apparent that fertilizer is not one size fits all. Understanding fertilizer basics helps gardeners avoid mistakes and get the most from their plants.
• (2023) Getting the most from your backyard bean crop Beans of all kinds are a good crop for beginning gardeners because they're easy to grow. Still, some knowledge about how beans grow best will increase the chances for a bountiful harvest.
• (2019) A closer look: five types of decorative greenery Traditional holiday arrangements are full of scented or berried evergreens, among the few garden items available to us in the winter months. Each of these greens performs differently, both in an arrangement and in the landscape. A closer look at some of the popular greens frequently used in these decorations provides insight into long-standing tradition as well as tips for using greenery in our modern homes. Records of bringing evergreens indoors during the winter months are recorded as far back as the Roman era, and over time have both pagan and Christian beliefs have been incorporated into the traditions surrounding these cheerful green reminders that spring is coming- eventually.
• (2022) Day-neutral Strawberry Production in Central Oregon Learn how to grow strawberries commercially in Central Oregon. The high desert region of Central Oregon can be a particularly challenging place to grow strawberries and other horticultural crops. Despite the challenges, strong demand for locally grown crops prompted some Central Oregon growers to explore using adapted cultivars and season-extension approaches to make strawberries a viable crop.
• (2021) Growing Kiwifruit in Your Home Garden This guide will walk you through all the details on planting, fertilizing, irrigating, pruning and training so you, too, can grow delicious kiwifruit.
• (2022) Pruning with the pros This video series covers a variety of pruning challenges associated with older trees and mature landscapes. Pruning of mature trees that have not seen ideal care in the past can present unique challenges. In these clips, tree care pros with decades of experience will guide the viewer through the decision-making process—and solutions—to pruning larger, established trees.
• (2021) Spider mite on eggplant
• (2021) How to recognize and manage spider mites in the home garden Spider mites are microscopic pests that thrive in hot, dry weather and cause damage to a variety of plants. Learn the signs of spider mite infestation, how to eradicate them and how to keep them from coming back.
• (2021) Heat wave in the garden: How to identify and prevent heat stress in plants When a heatwave hits, plants may show the impact. Learn the signs of heat stress in plants and how to help them weather a heatwave with best practices for watering, mulching, shading, providing humidity and weeding.
• (2021) Growing Raspberries in Your Home Garden Learn to grow tart, delicious raspberries in your own garden. Choose which type of raspberry to grow, and learn how to plant, prune, fertilize and water your berry patch to keep it healthy and productive.
• (2019) No expertise needed to create fresh holiday wreaths and arrangements For those seeking to “spruce” up their interior spaces during the holidays, fresh evergreens are a great place to start. In addition to the natural feel and fragrance, evergreens are especially forgiving to work with. Even those with little experience in floral design can effectively use greenery with just a little practice.
• (2020) Five ways to preserve fresh homegrown herbs Herbs are among the easiest plants for a home gardener to grow and preserving them is simple. Here's a look at five preservation methods: refrigeration, air drying, freezing, dehydrating and making herb vinegars.
• (2020) Five underused late fall bloomers This group of lesser-known perennials that can make your garden last longer and attract more pollinators. Here are five suggestions for attractive flowers to fill out the late-season bloom.
• (2019) Five cold-hardy herbs to grow at home There's nothing like home-grown herbs to add a shot of fresh flavor to a winter soup or stew. For home gardeners, these five herbs — parsley, rosemary, thyme, chives, oregano — are hardy enough to last over the winter.
• (2021) When is the right time for fruit tree mulching?
• (2020) Box elder bugs are a harmless nuisance Box elder bugs can be a nuisance just by their sheer numbers in the late fall when their populations explode and they swarm structures and infiltrate homes. Here's how to play defense when the bugs come calling.
• (2020) Five home-garden plants that are suitable for overwintering Overwintering home-garden plants usually provides a good return on the time and space investment but it’s not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Here are some tips for keeping some popular plants alive during the winter.
• (2020) Five weird winter insects Now that winter is settling in, gardening questions to the Extension office have diminished - but haven’t disappeared completely. After questions about transitioning plants to indoors and overwintering, winter questions are often centered on insects that find their way into homes as outdoor conditions become inhospitable. Often, insects that overwinter as adults seek shelter for the winter, taking advantage of cracks and crevices under shingles, behind siding, and the like, or are brought inside in firewood. In other cases, the environmental change when we bring plants indoors triggers premature egg hatch.
• (2020) Enhancing Urban and Suburban Landscapes to Protect Pollinators The way we garden can help promote the health of bees and other insects. This guide offers detailed plant lists, garden designs and advice on creating pollinator habitat.
  
• (2018) Oregon Forest Pest Detector Pest Watch Bronze Birch Borer (BBB) | Monitoreo y Detección de Plagas Forestales en Oregon Barrenador del Abedul Bronce (BBB) This is a bilingual publication (English and Spanish) for landscape workers and the public to help them protect Oregon birch trees from this damaging pest. Includes insect identification, host plants, signs and symptoms, and what to do if you suspect BBB.
  Esta es una publicación bilingüe (inglés y español) para los trabajadores de jardinería y la pública, para ayudarles a proteger los abedules de Oregon. Incluye identificación del insecto, hospederos, signos y síntomas, y qué debe hacer si sospecha BBB.
• (2023) Homeowner Guide to Managing Bronze Birch Borer: An Insect Killing Birches in the PNW Learn about the life stages of the bronze birch borer and the damage it causes. Homeowners will learn to assess the damage, treat trees and prevent infestation.
• (2020) Growing Blackberries in Your Home Garden Home gardeners can enjoy a choice of blackberry varieties with fruit far superior to that of wild blackberries. What’s more, home gardeners can pick fruit from early summer all the way to the first frost. Learn how to plant, prune and pick the best blackberries while avoiding many common problems.
  Take our online class!
  Scale up your pruning skills with OSU’s online workshop! In this expert-led course, you will build skills that will help you grow healthier bushes with even more berries.
  Enroll now
• (2020) Growing Strawberries in Your Home Garden Here's how to plant strawberries, fertilize them and solve the common problems that plague many gardeners. Learn which type bears fruit when.
• (2020) Growing Blueberries in Your Home Garden Learn to grow your own sweet, juicy blueberries in your Oregon home garden! Find out which types and cultivars of blueberries grow best where you live, and which part of your yard is best suited for production. Experts guide you through all the details on soil preparation, planting, mulching, watering and pruning. Learn to beat back common pests, tame frost and disease, and maximize production.
  
  Take our online pruning class!
  Scale up your pruning skills with OSU’s online workshop! In this expert-led course, you will build skills that will help you grow healthier bushes with even more berries.
  Enroll now