Gardening

Flower garden in the afternoon. Photo by: Bob Rost

Hydrangeas in the garden. Photo by: Bob Rost

Potted bedding plants. Photo by: Bob Rost

Spider and a bee on a flower. Photo by: Bob Rost

Flower garden at the base of a house. Photo by: Bob Rost

Using sustainable and research-based techniques, learn how to grow your own vegetables, connect with other gardeners, or use Ask an Expert to seek gardening advice. Watch a video about the OSU Master Gardener program in Newport, Oregon.

Things to do in June

Fertilize vegetable garden 1 month after plants emerge by side dressing alongside rows.
Harvest thinnings from new plantings of lettuce, onion, and chard.
Mid-June: if green lawns are being maintained through the summer, apply 1 lb. nitrogen per 1,000 sq.ft. to lawns.

Gardening Tips

A garden journal provides a year-to-year record

A garden journal can help a gardener plan from year to year by jogging the memory about what, when and where seeds and plants were grown.

How to grow currants and gooseberries for jams and pies

Currants and gooseberries make great jams and pies

Early winter cold may be tough on rhodies and azaleas

Recent cold temperatures have been shocking to some trees and shrubs.

Freezing winter weather takes toll on home landscape plants

Large temperature fluctuations between warm and cold cause more damage than a long period of consistent cold.

Some plants make natural antifreeze to cope with winter’s wrath

OSU plant physiologist Les Fuchigami explains plants’ evolved strategies for surviving freezing temperatures.

Gardening Courses

Master Gardener Online

Learn the art and science of growing and caring for plants, and even become a Master Gardener, through this two-option online course.

Learn more...

Become a water-wise gardener

Plant an economical and environmentally friendly and garden with the help of the WaterWise Gardening online course series.

Learn more...

Popular Publications

An Educator's Guide to Vegetable Gardening

A new publication from OSU Extension shows a full-circle approach to gardening on school grounds

Grapevine Nutrition

Use this self-guided learning module to find information on grapevine nutrient needs and how to diagnose problems with disease, insects, drought, sunburn, and herbicides.

How to Build Your Own Raised-Bed Cloche

Learn how to create a "cloche" that can be used to protect your plants from cold weather.

Container Gardening

If you lack space for a garden, consider raising vegetables in containers.

Improving Garden Soil

Making a poor garden better often begins with the soil. If your garden soil is poor, consider giving it some help.

Don’t Let the Bugs Beat You To It

Strategies to to keep the bugs out of your garden.

Building Raised Beds

Improve your soil by adding organic matter and creating raised beds.

Training and Pruning Your Home Orchard

Basic instructions on how to prune your trees.

Question of the Week

I would like to get a rain barrel to collect the water from the down spouts and want one that can function year 'round here in the Willamette Valley. Most of the ones I have seen are plastic and must be drained and taken in for icy temps. Can you advise me on what kind of rain barrel I am looking for that can be left out and used all year in our area.

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