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Recent answers

How do I buy fresh seafood from the fishing boats?

Q: How do I find out when and how to buy fish and crabs from the boats as they come in?

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Is this trillium a rare variant and should it be preserved and studied?

Q: On a run in Portland’s Forest Park, I saw that someone had picked a trillium and hung it on a branch. When I looked closer, I could understand why. It has two sets of three leaves, and nine petals. What do I do with this?

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Can I use vinegar to kill dandelions in my grass so that the clippings are safe to compost?

Q: I'm composting on site and wondering how concerned I should be about adding the grass clippings. Is there a weed killer that I could use that is safe to compost for a food garden? I’ve been looking into a vinegar/dish soap mix.

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What are these fossils I found in my backyard?

Q: I was digging a trench in my garden for a French drain when I came across a rather large collection of fossilized shells. Any idea about their species, approximate age and whether they are native to my area of Troutdale?...

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How do I place my garden rows to promote the best growth?

Q: When planting a garden, should the rows be planted east to west or north to south to capture the most sunlight and promote growth?

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How can I avoid creating added sugar in fruit preserves and jams and jellies?

Q: Is there a way I can preserve fresh fruit and not have a syrup that adds additional sugar? Is there a way to make jam and jelly without added sugar?

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What are these round things on my plant?

Q: I found these round “buddies” on a hellebore stem. What are they?

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What is this fungus and could it indicate internal decay in my Douglas-fir?

Q: A large fungus is growing at the base of a large Douglas-fir tree in my backyard. There are several fungi that can cause root rot in Douglas-fir, so I don't want to lose the tree, and I also don't want it to fall ...

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Should I keep filling my hummingbird feeder in frigid temperatures?

Q: I’m wondering if it’s OK here in central Oregon to leave our hummingbird feeder up a little while longer. I just noticed a hummingbird hanging out on the feeder this morning when it was 16 degrees.

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How do I source bees for a new beehive box?

Q: Hi, Santa is bringing me a beehive box for Christmas. When is a good time to source the bees and from where? I'm very excited to start.

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