Brooke Edmunds

Photo: Brooke Edmunds, OSU

she/her/hers

Community Horticulture , Master Gardeners

Contact me with gardening questions from Marion or Polk counties

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: Marion County Master Gardeners , Polk County Master Gardeners

Locations: Marion County , Polk County

About
Content
Publications
Awards

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

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 well. For ...

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

Top tips for gardeners to help fight climate change

As Oregon gardeners have noticed, our climate is changing. This is primarily due to human activities releasing excessive greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over the last 150 years. As a result, we’re seeing temperatures ...

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

Dealing with Ticks

Ticks are a common nuisance pest on hikers, gardeners, and those who enjoy or work in the outdoors. Ticks are arthropods that feed on blood of humans and other mammals (dogs, horses, deer), birds, and reptiles. It is ...

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 | Sep 2020 | OSU Extension Catalog 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 Pscheidt, Heather Stoven, Ashley Thompson, Brooke Edmunds, Nik Wiman | Mar 2020 | OSU Extension Catalog 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

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 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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 vegetables and focuses on quality characteristics and adaptability to western Oregon.

Brooke Edmunds | May 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog 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 | OSU Extension Catalog 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 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Do I need to "tuck in" my berries for the winter?

Q: How to winter over blueberries and black raspberries? Pruning etc. Once heard to bury the blueberries, is that true?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

What kind of ground cover crop should I plant?

Q: I have a small garden plot that I have let go fallow over the summer, but would like to plant something to keep the weeds down until next year. Most of the cover crops I read about look a lot like the invasive ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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 | Oct 2016 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

I need a cat-free garden, is there a natural deterrent?

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

What fruit and berries do well in my area and how do I protect them?

Q: What type of apple and cherry would you recommend for eating rather than cooking. Any suggestions for protecting fruit from deer and birds? I live at about 1,000 feet, above Sodaville. I also want to plant blueberry bushes, an early, mid-season and late variety. Which ones would do best?

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 cocoons over fall and winter. There are many helpful color photos throughout.

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