Brooke Edmunds

headshot of Brooke Edmunds
she/her/hers

Community Horticulture , Master Gardeners

Contact me about the Master Gardener Program or gardening questions from Marion or Polk counties

[email protected]

Expertise: Community science , Bees and pollinators , Berries and fruit , Flowers, shrubs and trees , Garden soil and compost , Garden vegetables and herbs , Gardening techniques , Lawn and turfgrass , Urban forestry , Insects , Pesticide safety and education , Plant diseases , Weeds

Programs: Master Gardener™ , Marion County Master Gardeners , Polk County Master Gardeners

Locations: Marion County , Polk County

Biography

Brooke Edmunds is the OSU Extension Community Horticulturist in Marion and Polk Counties and associate professor (practice) in the OSU Department of Horticulture. She has a Ph.D in Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University and has previously worked for the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Colorado State University Extension. Her focus is on meeting the community horticulture needs in Marion and Polk counties.

In her Extension role, she oversees the Master Gardener programs in each county. She also coordinates research-based educational programs in community food systems and IPM. Outside of work, Brooke enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, gardening, and exploring beautiful Oregon.

Content by Brooke Edmunds

Grow Your Own Peppers

Peppers come in a great variety of sizes, shapes, colors and tastes. They produce a large yield in a small amount of space. Learn the secrets to growing great peppers in Oregon.

Brooke Edmunds, James Myers, Ed Peachey | May 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Growing annual morning glory

Annual morning glory (Ipomoea spp.) is a quick-growing flowering vine that thrives in warm sunny spots. But just mentioning the name ‘morning glory ‘can cause concern among some. If you’ve lived in warmer areas of the ...

Brooke Edmunds | Apr 2023 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

PNW Insect Management Handbook - Mealybugs of Grapes

The PNW Insect Management Handbook provides Oregon-specific information on mealybugs and their management including labeled insecticides.

Patricia A. Skinkis, Vaughn Walton, Brooke Edmunds | Dec 2022 | Online resource

Pacific Poison-oak and Western Poison-ivy: Identification and Management

Discusses how to identify and control Pacific poison-oak and western poison-ivy, and how to prevent exposure to the plants' oily substance, urushiol, which can cause an allergic contact dermatitis.

Brooke Edmunds, Lauren Grand, Alicia Christiansen, Andy Hulting | Nov 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Through thoughtful practices, lawns can be climate-friendly

Love your grass lawn but want to make your landscape more climate-friendly? There are thoughtful ways to keep a lawn as part of your landscape while balancing climate change concerns.

Alec Kowalewski, Brooke Edmunds, Ruying (Wrennie) Wang | Sep 2022 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Winter Vegetable Production on Small Farms and Gardens West of the Cascades

The mild climate west of the Cascades allows farmers and gardeners to grow many winter-hardy crops in the field for winter and spring harvest. A wide range of alliums, leafy greens, brassicas and root crops do...

Nick Andrews, Heather Stoven, Heidi Noordijk, Lane Selman, Kelly Streit, Brooke Edmunds, Neil Bell, Victoria Binning | Jun 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Top tips for gardeners to help fight climate change

As Oregon gardeners have noticed, our climate is changing — it's hotter, drier and more severe. Learn how to adapt your home garden to climate change, from consuming less to planting with the environment in mind.

Brooke Edmunds | Sep 2021 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How to protect yourself from ticks

Ticks are a common nuisance for hikers, gardeners and those who enjoy the outdoors. They feed on the blood of humans and animals, and can spread disease. Learn how to identify ticks and how to protect yourself.

Brooke Edmunds | Jun 2021 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How do I test my garden soil?

Learn why you should test your garden soil and the different kinds of tests to ask for. Resources include instructions for how to collect a soil sample for testing and a short video demonstration.

Brooke Edmunds | Apr 2021 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How do wildfires affect bees?

How do wildfires affect Oregon bees? Flames and heat can destroy their nests and smoke can disrupt their navigation abilities. But research shows they rebound strongly along with other flora and fauna after a fire.

Andony Melathopoulos, Brooke Edmunds, Jim Rivers | Sep 2020 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

What should I do about the wildfire ash covering my yard and garden?

Q: My shrubs are covered in ash. When this is over should I take a hose and spray them off?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Is it safe to eat my garden produce affected by wildfires?

Q: We have a lot of smoke in our area, is it safe to eat produce that has been affected by wildfires?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Managing Crane Fly in Lawns

Crane flies are large, gangly insects that do little damage as adults. But crane fly larvae are known for chewing through patches of lawn, damaging roots as grass starts growing in spring. Learn how to prevent damage to your grass with simple maintenance and irrigation practices.

Alec Kowalewski, Brooke Edmunds, Brian McDonald, Emily Braithwaite | Sep 2020 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Raised Bed Gardening

Gives step-by-step instructions for building a raised bed. Discusses special considerations for growing plants in raised beds as well as long-term maintenance of beds.

Brooke Edmunds | Sep 2020 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Solve Pest and Weed Problems: A New Resource for Master Gardeners and the Public

This webinar is part of the 2020 series of Advanced Training Webinars for Master Gardeners sponsored by Oregon State University Extension.

Weston Miller, Brooke Edmunds | Jul 2020 | Video

Start your own vegetables from seeds

Learn about starting vegetables from seeds. Start inside small pots in the early spring and then move them to larger pots as they grow. Use the right soil, pots, and lights to produce healthy plants! Growing Your Own: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9027

Brooke Edmunds | Jun 2020 | Video

Get Slugs out of your Garden!

Learn about different methods to keep slugs out of your garden. Make your own traps from items around your house.

Brooke Edmunds | Jun 2020 | Video

Oh Rats! Dealing with Non-native Rodents in the Garden

Join Dr. Dana Sanchez (Oregon State University Extension Wildlife Specialist) for a special session on managing rats in yards, gardens, and compost piles.

Dana Sanchez, Brooke Edmunds | May 2020 | Video

Webinar-Winter Squash Research at OSU

This webinar is part of the 2020 series of Advanced Training Webinars for Master Gardeners sponsored by Oregon State University Extension. Join Dr. Alex Stone and Lane Selman (both of the OSU Department of Horticulture) for a ...

Alexandra Stone, Lane Selman, Brooke Edmunds | May 2020 | Video

Dueling with Diggers: Gophers, Moles, Voles, and Ground Squirrels

This presentation will increase your understanding of the biology of common digging pests including gophers, moles, voles, and ground squirrels.

Dana Sanchez, Brooke Edmunds | Apr 2020 | Video

Gardening with Native Plants and the OregonFlora Project

Join Dr. Linda Hardison of OregonFlora at Oregon State University for a special webinar on native plants in the garden.

Brooke Edmunds, Linda Hardison | Apr 2020 | Video

Updates from the OSU Garden Ecology Lab (2020 edition!)

In this webinar you will be updated on the very latest research coming out of the OSU Garden Ecology Lab.

Gail Langellotto, Brooke Edmunds | Mar 2020 | Video

Managing Diseases and Insects in Home Orchards

This pest management guide is for the home gardener. It recommends management practices for controlling diseases and insects in home orchards. It doesn't meet the exacting requirements of the commercial fruit grower.

Jay W. Pscheidt, Heather Stoven, Ashley Thompson, Brooke Edmunds, Nik Wiman, Richard Hilton | Mar 2020 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Citizen Science (In the Garden!)

This resource is for any gardener who is interested in learning more about science or possibly taking part in a citizen science project.

Brooke Edmunds, Gail Langellotto | Nov 2019 | Online resource

Vegetable Variety Trials 2017

This publication is a compilation of vegetable variety trial notes from field trials conducted at the Oregon State University vegetable farm in Corvallis, Oregon. It contains information on a wide variety of ...

Brooke Edmunds, Shinji Kawai, James Myers | May 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Managing Moss in Lawns in Western Oregon

This video demonstrates how to identify and eliminate moss from your lawn. It is a companion to OSU Extension publication EM 9175. View it now

Brooke Edmunds, Alec Kowalewski | Dec 2017 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Managing Moss in Lawns in Western Oregon

The mild, wet winters in western Oregon encourage the growth of lawn mosses. This publication describes the factors that contribute to this growth and provides tips for reducing problems. It is a companion to OSU Extension video EM 9176.

Brooke Edmunds, Alec Kowalewski | Dec 2017 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

How to over winter and prune berries?

Q: How do I prepare my berry plants for the winter? Once I heard to bury the blueberries, is that true?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

How to deter cats from my garden?

Q: My daughter's cat digs in my flower bed and leaves holes and scatters dirt everywhere, uproots bulbs, etc. What can I use that is a natural remedy, something safe for the environment.

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Nurturing Mason Bees in Your Backyard in Western Oregon

An overview of mason bee basic biology and life cycle, and detailed descriptions of what is needed to start keeping mason bees, including desirable plants, nesting sites and types of nests, and caring for the ...

Brooke Edmunds, Richard Little, Ramesh Sagili | Feb 2016 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Blackberry removal tips?

Q: I have chopped down blackberry canes into fairly small pieces in my backyard. Can I leave them on the ground, or can these pieces of cane resprout? I'm not interested in using any kind of chemicals. If I dig up the ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Keys to Water-efficient Landscapes

This 1-page infographic explains how to efficiently water different parts of your home landscape.

Brooke Edmunds, Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Jan McNeilan | Dec 2015 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

It Pays to Water Wisely

This 1-page infographic outlines how to conserve water in your garden by irrigating appropriately.

Brooke Edmunds, Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Jan McNeilan | Dec 2015 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Landscape Maintenance to Conserve Water

This 1-page infographic explains how to conserve water while maintaining your landscape.

Brooke Edmunds, Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Jan McNeilan | Dec 2015 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Conserving Water in Your Yard and Garden

Save water by improving your soil, selecting appropriate plants and watering wisely.

Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Brooke Edmunds, J. McNeilan | Nov 2015 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Ideal tree varieties for planting near powerlines?

Q: I have a utility pole in my yard that I would like to disguise with an ornamental tree. I can't have a tree that grows too tall and was thinking about a dogwood. What would you recommend?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Can I add sand from the beach to my soil?

Q: I'd like to mix more sand into my soil to help break up the clay. If I collect sand from an ocean beach, should I be worried about too much salt in the sand and it impacting my soil? If I were to use the beach...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Rose pruning, better late or never?

Q: For the last 8-10 yrs I've been good about pruning my climbing rosebush and its has thrived. This year I didn't get to it in February, as I usually do, now it's April and not looking great. Will it harm the bush if I do my usual pruning in April?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Don’t let lack of room discourage you from gardening

Save space and reap a harvest by growing vegetables in containers.

Kym Pokorny | May 11, 2020 | News story

Go miniature with a glass terrarium

Give your terrarium your own spin with accessories from sea shells and drift wood to miniature garden and animal pieces.

Kym Pokorny | Mar 8, 2019 | News story

No room for vegetables? Pot up your plants

Containers are a good alternative for gardening when space is limited

Kym Pokorny | Mar 9, 2018 | News story

No room for vegetables? Pot up your plants

There are some dwarf and miniature varieties of vegetables, such as Thumbelina carrots or other baby vegetables that work particularly well in small confines.

Kym Pokorny | Mar 26, 2021 | News story

From pot to table, easy indoor herbs spice up cooking

With all the gardening and cooking being done during the pandemic, it's the perfect time to try growing some indoor herbs.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 5, 2020 | News story

Set seeds on the right path with homemade planting medium

Are the catalogs arriving? Get ahead of the game by making homemade seed mix.

Kym Pokorny | Jan 17, 2020 | News story

Get a leg up by learning which vegetable varieties do best

OSU Extension Service releases a new publication on the best vegetables to grow in western Oregon gardens.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 8, 2018 | News story

Dodge the raindrops and finish fall garden tasks

Gardeners tend to think of fall as the time to put bulbs in the ground, but the warm soil and increasing moisture make it a great time to plant most anything.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 5, 2021 | News story

Hanging baskets put the color in summer

Think about location when designing and caring for a hanging containers

Kym Pokorny | May 15, 2015 | News story

Tomato lovers: Grow the best by recognizing and solving common problems

Brooke Edmunds troubleshoots the common problems that might afflict your tomatoes as the season goes on.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 26, 2020 | News story

Save some bucks by gardening frugally

Saving money in the garden doesn't mean you have to sacrifice what you want -- it just takes a little thought.

Kym Pokorny | Jan 31, 2020 | News story

Instead of leaving soil naked, coat it with cover crops

Grow "green manure" to keep soil from eroding, weeds from exploding and to add nutrients.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 27, 2018 | News story

Report ID:
Report ID:

Email Brooke Edmunds

CAPTCHA
5 + 13 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
Please answer this simple math question. We use it to help prevent SPAM entries from bots. Thank you!