Extension Service

March 2009 (vol. 8, no. 3)

Back Issues: February 2009 | January 2009

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Help available for first-time gardeners
Gardening help is available at most county Extension offices from home horticulture experts and Master Gardeners, according to Gail Langellotto, statewide coordinator of the Master Gardeners program.

'Growing Your Own' publication available
OSU Extension's, "Growing Your Own," a practical guide to gardening for first-time gardeners, is available online. Copies of a printed version also are available at county Extension offices.

First-time gardeners: Choosing a garden site is an important decision
Choosing a garden site is as important as selecting the vegetables to grow in it. Few people have a spot that provides ideal conditions, but following a few basic guidelines can make a difference.

First-time gardeners: Adding organic matter improves garden soils
Adding organic matter is the best way to improve nearly all soils. If you're unsure if your soil needs amendments, take note if it dries and cracks in summer, drains slowly or is difficult to dig.

Bring pollinators to your garden
Home gardeners can lure native pollinators to the garden with plants whose color and shape attract bees, butterflies and birds, according to Gail Langellotto, OSU horticulturist.

Planning and preparing your vegetable garden site
The information presented in OSU Extension publication EC 1228 is not intended to be all-inclusive, but it will give you basic ideas on how to organize and prepare a vegetable garden site.

Grow your own cucumbers
Cucumbers are tender, warm-season vegetables that produce well when given proper care. Check out OSU Extension publication EC 1226 to learn how.

Grow your own beets, carrots, radishes, onions, and similar crops
These crops are ideal because they take up little space and can be harvested over a long period of time to provide good eating. Learn how to grow them in the OSU Extension publication EC 1231.

OSU hires Texas A&M entomologist to study honeybee health
OSU has hired Ramesh Sagili, a honeybee researcher from Texas A&M University, as part of an initiative to help ensure that there are enough healthy honeybees to pollinate Oregon's crops.

Former Tanzania Peace Corps leader heads OSU Extension in Portland area
Patrick Proden, a former country director for the Peace Corps in Tanzania, is the new head of the OSU Extension Service's operations in Multnomah and Washington counties.

Public invited to observe lambing at OSU Sheep Center
New lambs began arriving at Oregon State University's Sheep Center in February, and the public is invited to view this annual event.

Things to do in your garden this month.

Gardening tips from OSU Extension's radio archive. Turn on your speakers and visit the links below:

Tomatoes for Oregon developed at OSU

Peas: Best varieties for Oregon