Vegetables and specialty seeds

OSU Extension supports commercial vegetable growers with research-based guidance on crop selection, soil health, irrigation and pest management. We provide tools, field trials and technical assistance to help growers improve yield, quality and sustainability across Oregon’s diverse growing regions.

Latest resources

Hydro hints

Learn all about hydroponics and the basics for growing plants without soil. This series delves into different hydroponic techniques you can fit into your production: deep-water culture, buckets, nutrient film technique, and ebb and flow.

May 2025 | Collection

USDA assistance for farmers and livestock producers impacted by wildfires

USDA has assistance available to help. Producers impacted by wildfires should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options. USDA offers a suite of disaster assistance programs that can help with recovery.

USDA Farmers.gov | Jul 2024 | Online resource

Management Guidelines for the Clover Seed Weevil in Oregon White Clover Seed Production

Clover seed weevils feed on developing white clover seed, damaging the crop. This pest has become resistant to certain pesticides. Learn alternate management strategies.

Navneet Kaur, Grace Tiwari, Nicole Anderson, Dani Lightle, Christy Tanner, Seth Dorman | Jul 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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Latest news

OSU survey guides weed strategy for vegetable seed production

Findings help focus research, reduce risk and strengthen growers.

Aaron Becerra-Alvarez | Mar 2026 | Impact story

OSU-USDA research leads to change in clover seed weevil management

Growers adopt new strategy to combat resistant pest.

Christy Tanner, Navneet Kaur | Feb 2026 | Impact story

OSU studies reveal when and how carrot disease spreads

This research offers a path forward to protect one of Oregon’s most valuable specialty crops — and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Jeness Scott, Jeremiah Dung | Feb 2026 | Impact story

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Good Field Practices for Agricultural Workers

The Pacific Northwest is known for its high-quality produce. To preserve this reputation, all people involved in farm activities should be thoroughly trained in practices that promote health and hygiene. Farmworkers, growers, farm owners and trainers can use this bilingual manual to teach the importance of reducing the risk of food contamination by human pathogens.

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Photo by Lynn Ketchum (Cropped from original)

Featured resources

Medicinal herb production in the Pacific Northwest

Medicinal herb crops are a diverse group consisting of both annual and perennial species. Some herbs are harvested for their flower or leaf tissue; others are harvested for root tissue or fruit. Within the herb...

Kristine Buckland, Ben Marx, Peg Schafer, Alexandra Stone, Nick Andrews, Ann Rasmussen | Jan 2026 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Low tunnels for season extension in Oregon: Design, construction and costs

Low tunnels are temporary structures designed to cover a single row of plants. They are made of plastic sheeting draped over hoops. Low tunnels protect crops from rain and extend the growing season. Learn how to build and install a low tunnel for your crops.

Javier Fernandez-Salvador, Erica Chernoh, Avery Pheil, Ken Poblador, Tessa Barker | Nov 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Vegetable degree-day models: An introduction for farmers and gardeners

Degree-days help predict plant development based on heat accumulation. Learn how Croptime, an online tool, uses models to improve vegetable farming and weed management.

Nick Andrews, Leonard Coop, Heather Stoven, Heidi Noordijk, Aaron Heinrich | Feb 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Pest management resources

Biology and management of beet leafhopper and purple top in potatoes in the Pacific Northwest

Leafhoppers damage potatoes by feeding on the plants, or by transmitting viruses and phytoplasmas, which are small bacterial parasites of plant phloem tissue. Phytoplasmas cause purple top disease, which reduces yield ...

Silvia I. Rondon, Tiziana Oppedisano | Oct 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Deciding when to treat for 12-spot beetles in snap beans

Learn about integrated pest management for 12-spot beetles in snap beans. Learn how to identify and scout for the pests.

Luisa Santamaria, Jose Hernandez, Alejandro Gonzales, Daniel McGrath | Apr 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Lygus bugs on potatoes in the Pacific Northwest

This publication describes how to identify lygus bugs, their composition in potato fields in the PNW, the kinds of damage they do to potato plants, and how lygus bugs may be potential vectors of potato ...

Josephine Antwi, Silvia I. Rondon, Rodney Cooper | Oct 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Vegetable and Specialty Seed IPM

About Oregon Vegetables and the Vegetable Cropping Systems Program.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

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Organic agriculture

Soil

Farm food safety

Integrated pest management

Plant diseases

Weeds

Upcoming Events

May 15

QPR Training - Saving Lives in Agriculture (in English)

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm PDT Online

Jun 10

QPR Training - Saving Lives in Agriculture (in English)

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm PDT Online

Jun 13

Destination Inspiration 2026

10:00 am - 1:00 pm Independence, OR

Jun 13

Growing vegetables in the Willamette Valley

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Beaverton, OR

Meet Our Experts

Nick Andrews

Organic Vegetable Extension

Joe Battilega

Bio Science Research Tech , Vegetable, Specialty Seed Crops, & Farm Crew

Aaron Becerra-Alvarez

Assistant Professor

Weed science in vegetables and specialty seed crops

Kristine Buckland

Vegetable and Speciality Seed Crop Specialist

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Laws for u-pick and farm stands?

Q: I have a lavender farm in Clackamas county and I am wanting to open up to u-pick for the summer. We are zoned Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) I have not been able to get a clear understanding from the county on whether ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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