Low Water Lowdown: Successful Water-Wise Gardening

Conserving water doesn’t mean skimping on beauty, so long as you are intentional about design. Whether you’re planning a water-wise garden or are trying to rescue the one you have, this webinar can help. Our presenters will flood you with design tips and info about site preparation, plant selection, irrigation options, use of lawn or lawn alternatives, mulching, maintenance, and retrofitting for water conservation. They’ll also recommend some drought-tolerant plants for both the dry and wet sides of the state.

Presenters:

Amy Jo Detweiler, Professor and Extension Horticulturist, is responsible for teaching and outreach in community and commercial horticulture in the high-desert environment of Central Oregon, working with home gardeners and green industry professionals. She specializes in sustainable landscape practices, including water-wise gardening, fire-wise landscaping, and backyard food production. She is also responsible for training and managing an active group of Master Gardener volunteers for Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties.

In addition to coordinating the Master Gardener volunteer program in Yamhill County, Heather Stoven is the Extension Horticulturist there, assisting both home gardeners and small farmers. Since starting at OSU in 2007, she has assisted with the NW Plant Evaluation Program to identify underutilized shrubs for use in low-input landscapes. Heather holds a Master’s degree in Plant Protection and Pest Management from University of California, Davis.

About Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series

We know many Oregon gardeners are seeing changes in weather affecting their gardening. What does this mean for your garden’s future? This year’s Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up series is about growing resilience in a changing climate. We’re digging deep into the science behind invasive pests, best techniques in using less water, understanding what changes our trees are enduring, and harnessing the power of technology to identify and learn more about plants and insects. In partnership with Garden Future, we’re talking and learning about growing resilience in our gardens and communities. The closed-captioned webinars will be broadcast via Zoom and streamed via our Facebook page on the second Tuesday of the month, at noon, April through September 2025. This series is open to the public, and OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers receive 1 Continuing Education Credit for each class. You can take one, or take all. This webinar is being recorded and will be available to view on our website within two weeks of airdate.