Amy Jo Detweiler

Amy Jo Detweiler

Horticulture

541-548-6088 x79510
[email protected]

Expertise: Flowers, shrubs and trees , Gardening techniques

Programs: Central Oregon Master Gardeners

Locations: Crook County , Deschutes County , Jefferson County

Biography

Amy Jo Detweiler is the community horticulturist for OSU Extension in Central Oregon(Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties). She has been in this position since 1999 and manages the local OSU Master Gardener program for this region and also provides education for green industry professionals. She provides outreach and education for backyard gardeners focusing on sustainable gardening practices, water-wise gardening, fire-wise landscaping, and backyard food production with an emphasis on gardening in the High Desert.

Content by Amy Jo Detweiler

High Desert Garden Tour celebrates three decades of inspiration

OSU Extension-hosted tour highlights resilient gardening in a high desert climate.

Chris Branam | Jul 29, 2025 | News story

Selecting, planting and caring for a new tree

A tree is something you plant for the long term. Learn how to choose the right tree for the right spot, how to plant your new tree and how to care for it in the years to come.

Stephen Fitzgerald, Paul Ries, Amy Jo Detweiler, Chase Giebner | Jul 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Growing blueberries in your home garden

Learn to grow your own sweet, juicy blueberries in your Oregon garden! Find out which types of blueberries grow best where you live, and which part of your yard is best suited for planting.

Scott Lukas, Amanda Davis, Emily Dixon, Amy Jo Detweiler, Nicole Sanchez | May 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Project Happy Apples helps gardeners fight devastating codling moth

The program supports sustainable gardening practices and helps minimize pest damage in home orchards.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Feb 2025 | Impact story

Common weeds found in Central Oregon in landscapes and lawns

These are weeds commonly seen in Central Oregon.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Apr 2025 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Garden Future

What's the future of gardening in Oregon? Changes in climate are impacting gardening. We're talking about it and gathering solutions to support gardeners now and into the future. Learn how Oregon gardeners are experiencing climate...

LeAnn Locher, Brooke Edmunds, Erica Chernoh, Megan Wickersham, Amy Jo Detweiler, Signe Danler, Amanda Woodlee, Heather Stoven, Grace Florjancic, Shannon Rauter, Sarah West, Srijana Shrestha, Otillia Schreuder, Amy Espinoza, Marcia McIntyre, Kendal Johnson | Project Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Ten resilient plants for waterwise Oregon gardens

Waterwise plants that thrive in Oregon’s hotter, drier summers.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 18, 2024 | News story

OSU Extension shows how to design attractive, fire-resistant home landscapes

Publication helps homeowners create fire-wise landscapes without sacrificing curb appeal.

Francesca Lear | Jun 20, 2024 | News story

Firewise Landscaping Basics

Learn about plants that can help you reduce the risk of fire while also creating an attractive environment. See why landscape maintenance and plant placement are just as critical as plant selection.

Amy Jo Detweiler | May 2024 | Video

Tips help Oregon gardeners grow better tomatoes

Tomatoes can be tricky in Oregon’s short growing season, but choosing the right varieties can help gardeners harvest a healthy, flavorful crop.

Kym Pokorny | May 14, 2024 | News story

Colorful foliage shrubs add depth and interest to home landscapes

Shrubs with standout leaves offer long-season texture, contrast and color beyond garden flowers.

Kym Pokorny | Apr 4, 2024 | News story

Growing berries, fruit trees, roses and native plants in Central Oregon

Tips to handle short seasons plus surprise frosts across this region.

Jan 11, 2024 | News story

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Trees

Choose the right trees for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Shrubs

Choose the right shrubs for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Broadleaf evergreens

Choose the right broadleaf evergreen plants for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Groundcovers

Choose the right groundcover plants for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Perennials

Choose the right perennial plants for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plants for home landscapes

Home landscaping is an important part of a community's resistance to wildfire. Learn what plants can help you create an attractive environment and reduce the risk of fire.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Oct 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Give your camellia a spring makeover for healthier blooms

OSU Extension horticulturist shares pruning and care tips.

Kym Pokorny | May 23, 2023 | News story

Annual wildflowers bring color and pollinators back every year

Simple site prep and timing help wildflower plantings thrive and reseed for future blooms.

Kym Pokorny | Apr 11, 2023 | News story

Roses: Planting and Care in Central Oregon

Are you longing to enjoy the fragrance and color of roses in your yard? With thoughtful attention to planting and care, many types of roses can be grown successfully in Central Oregon.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Apr 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Growing Raspberries in Your Home Garden

Learn to grow tart, delicious raspberries in your own garden. Choose which type of raspberry to grow, and learn how to plant, prune, fertilize and water your berry patch to keep it healthy and productive.

Bernadine Strik, Amy Jo Detweiler, Nicole Sanchez, Emily Dixon | Jun 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Growing kiwifruit in your home garden

This guide will walk you through all the details on planting, fertilizing, irrigating, pruning and training so you, too, can grow delicious kiwifruit.

Bernadine Strik, Emily Dixon, Amy Jo Detweiler, Nicole Sanchez | Dec 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Growing blackberries in your home garden

Home gardeners can enjoy a choice of blackberry varieties with fruit far superior to that of wild blackberries. What’s more, home gardeners can pick fruit from early summer all the way to the first frost. ...

Bernadine Strik, Emily Dixon, Amy Jo Detweiler, Nicole Sanchez | Nov 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Common insects that cause plant damage in Central Oregon

Insects are divided into categories based on the type of damage they cause. See images, where they can be found and links to potential management practices.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Nov 2024 | Educational gallery

Growing strawberries in your home garden

Here's how to plant strawberries, fertilize them and solve the common problems that plague many gardeners. Learn which type bears fruit when.

Bernadine Strik, Emily Dixon, Amy Jo Detweiler, Erica Chernoh, Nicole Sanchez | Nov 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Waterwise gardening in Central Oregon

You can have a colorful and beautiful landscape while conserving water and saving time, energy and money. Learn innovative conservation techniques for waterwise gardening in Central Oregon.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Dec 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Enhancing Urban and Suburban Landscapes to Protect Pollinators

The way we garden can help promote the health of bees and other insects. This guide offers detailed plant lists, garden designs and advice on creating pollinator habitat.

Andony Melathopoulos, Neil Bell, Signe Danler, Amy Jo Detweiler, Iris Kormann, Gail Langellotto, Nicole Sanchez, Heather Stoven, Dave Smitley | Dec 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Growing wildflowers in Central Oregon

Learn how to grow wildflowers in Central Oregon, including choosing and preparing a site, planting and seeding rate, best times of year to do it, and application rate. Also includes a list of wildflowers that thrive in Central Oregon.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Mar 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Grow your own tomatoes and tomatillos

Learn how to grow tomatoes and tomatillos in your home garden. Topics include site and soil preparation, propagation, planting, pruning, harvest and storage.

Neil Bell, Amy Jo Detweiler, Heidi Noordijk, Chip Bubl | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

When to start seeds indoors in central Oregon

Wondering when to plant vegetables? Use this handy table to figure out the optimum time.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Apr 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Central Oregon vegetable garden calendar

Growing vegetables in Central Oregon requires careful planning and timing due to the region's short growing season and the possibility of frost in summer. Here's a guide to when to plant and harvest.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Mar 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Life cycle of the codling moth

A codling moth goes through several stages in its life cycle. If you're trying to prevent damage to apples and other fruit, it helps to know when adults and larvae are active.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Feb 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

What is this red plant that looks like asparagus?

Q: I found this in numerous places in our garden. Is it poisonous? Is it rare?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Gardening in Central Oregon's climate

Behind the beauty of the High Desert, lie many factors that create challenges for Central Oregon gardeners. Learn how to work with cold weather, short seasons, dry summers and other elements that can affect your gardening success.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Mar 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog

Growing hops in the home garden

Learn how to select, grow and harvest hops in your home garden. Learn how to defend against pests and disease and store your harvest.

Brooke Getty, Shaun Townsend, Amy Jo Detweiler | Aug 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Oregon State University Extension Service

EM 9128  |  Published June 2015, Reviewed 2024
View online: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/pub/em-9128

Growing vegetables in Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties)

Amy Jo Detweiler
bunches of carrots and radishes at the market
EM 9128
Low how to successfully grow vegetables in the challenging conditions of Central Oregon.
The high-desert climate of Central Oregon can create challenges for any gardener. This guide provides region-specific tips and techniques for more successful vegetable gardens, including topics such as site selection, soil amendment and preparation, irrigation, weed and pest management, seed starting, direct seeding and season extension.
Learn how to have a successful vegetable garden in Central Oregon, where temperatures, low precipitation and infertile soil pose a challenge.
View now

© 2015 Oregon State University. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, genetic information, veteran’s status, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Accessibility: This publication will be made available in an accessible alternative format upon request. Please contact [email protected] or 541-737-3311.

Container gardening basics

Choose the right containers, soil and plants to keep your flowerpots blooming all season long. When choosing plants for container gardening, go for "thrillers," "fillers" and "spillers."

Amy Jo Detweiler | Jun 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Deer-resistant plants for Central Oregon

Deer have been known to munch on many garden species. Look to this plant list for varieties that are less attractive to Central Oregon ungulates.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Paul MacMillan | Dec 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Tips for growing spring flowering bulbs in Central Oregon

Knowledge is everything when it comes to growing spring bulbs in Central Oregon. Find out how to create conditions for bulbs to flourish with tips on purchasing, site selection, timing and planting.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Nov 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Winter care of perennials in central Oregon

When temperatures begin cooling off in the fall, it is time to put your perennials to bed for the winter. Learn how to mulch and water perennials to protect them from central Oregon's cold, dry soils and freeze-thaw cycles.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Jul 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Selecting Berry Crop Varieties for Central Oregon

Several kinds of berry crops can be grown successfully in Central Oregon. The key is to select varieties suited to local growing conditions and to follow recommendations for planting and care.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Bernadine Strik | Apr 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Selecting native plants for home landscapes in Central Oregon

If planted in a suitable habitat, native plants are well adapted to Central Oregon soils and climate. When grown in the right conditions, native plants experience less environmental, insect, and disease damage than nonnative plants.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Dec 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Selecting fruit tree varieties for Central Oregon landscaping and home orchards

Several kinds of fruit trees can be grown successfully in Central Oregon. The challenge lies in selecting varieties that are most likely to bear fruit in the region.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Apr 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Plant selection for windbreaks in Central Oregon

A fact sheet including sufficient windbreaks in Central Oregon. Three of the groups consist of deciduous trees, evergreen trees and shrubs.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Aug 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Identification and control of knapweed species in Central and Eastern Oregon

In the Pacific Northwest, knapweeds pose a serious threat to native vegetation by aggressively outcompeting it for water and nutrients. Learn how to identify and control this perennial pest.

Amy Jo Detweiler | Mar 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Lawn maintenance calendar for Central Oregon

Properly timed maintenance is the key to having a nice lawn. Watering, mowing, fertilizing or dethatching at the wrong time yields poor results. Here's how to maintain a healthy lawn in Central Oregon.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Tom Cook, John Whisler, David Wienke | Mar 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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