Kym Pokorny

Retired

Content by Kym Pokorny

With the right care, asparagus beds will produce for decades

Asparagus is a hardy perennial and should be planted as soon as the soil can be properly prepared in the spring.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 12, 2025 | News story

Take one more go at the garden before retiring for winter

You’ll recognize some perennials that are good choices to clean up now because they die to the ground.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 15, 2024 | News story

Clueless about compost? Here are timely tips

Use the 'one-third' system for easy composting

Kym Pokorny | Nov 4, 2024 | News story

Pot up some bulbs and dream of spring

Bulbs often do better in pots than in the ground because pots provide better drainage, critical for their long-term survival.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 23, 2024 | News story

Saucy shrubs strut their stuff in fall

Colorful shrubs can compete with trees when it comes to fall color.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 18, 2024 | News story

When planning next year’s garden, turn to popular native plants

If sited correctly, native plants can perform well and attract pollinators.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 15, 2024 | News story

Insects and spiders out to find shelter for winter

The insects trying to get into homes aren't going to hurt humans or houses.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 12, 2024 | News story

Pump up your pumpkins to giant size

Record-winning pumpkin weighs in at more than 2,400 pounds

Kym Pokorny | Oct 7, 2024 | News story

Hydrangeas play a pretty role in the garden

Hydrangeas play many roles in the garden, whether it's shining in a special place or creating a hedge.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 5, 2024 | News story

Know when it’s time to harvest apples and pears

Apples and pears have different characteristics when it comes to harvest.

Kym Pokorny | Sep 18, 2024 | News story

Take precautions when wildfire ash falls on fruits and vegetables

Wildfires can be unsafe when it lands on unharvested produce.

Kym Pokorny | Sep 10, 2024 | News story

Six stellar shrubs to brighten the winter garden

Winter doesn't have to be dark and dreary in the garden if you use plants that bloom in winter.

Kym Pokorny | Sep 5, 2024 | News story

Clematis climb into a special place in the garden

Plant deeply, water well and keep roots cool for a thriving plant.

Kym Pokorny | Sep 1, 2024 | News story

Plan ahead for winter storage of pumpkins and squash

It's not time yet, but pretty soon you'll be harvesting pumpkins and squash and will need to store them correctly for long life.

Kym Pokorny | Aug 21, 2024 | News story

Slime mold looks ugly in the garden but does no harm

Primiative substance appears overnight during a rainy spring.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 31, 2024 | News story

Butterflies wing their way into the garden with the proper room and board

And somewhere there must be a sunny spot for the butterflies to warm their blood. They rarely take flight when temperatures are below 60 degrees.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 24, 2024 | News story

Evergreen Hebes perform colorfully in the garden

Most Hebes flower in the summer, but others bloom in late fall.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 21, 2024 | News story

Divide and conquer plants to keep them healthy and productive

When perennials start looking raggedy and the middle dies out, the time has come to dig them up and make more plants.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 19, 2024 | News story

Ten all-around great shrubs for water-wise gardens

Low-water plants save money, time and help the environment

Kym Pokorny | Jul 17, 2024 | News story

When it’s time to say goodbye to lawn, uproot it first

Ready for an alternative to grass? Here's how to get ready for something different.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 10, 2024 | News story

Maintaining a moss-free roof takes some effort

After cleaning the shingles, low-toxicity products can be used to kill the moss. But shedding more sun on the roof works more permanently.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 21, 2024 | News story

Tips for growing big, beautiful tomatoes

When shopping for tomatoes for shorter growing seasons, buy those with 60 to 70 days to maturity rather than 70 to 100.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 5, 2024 | News story

Use vigilance in controlling problems in the vegetable patch

Weeds are the hardest part of vegetable gardening, with bugs a close second.

Kym Pokorny | May 29, 2024 | News story

Drought-tolerant Ceanothus makes a beautiful addition to the garden

Ceanothus plants start blooming early in spring and continue until July, depending on the cultivar.

Kym Pokorny | May 25, 2024 | News story

OSU Extension trainings provide safety net for stressed farmers and ranchers

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) teaches farmers, ranchers and their family and friends how to interrupt the process that leads to suicide.

Francesca Lear, Kym Pokorny | May 21, 2024 | News story

OSU Extension Master Gardener goes sweet on potatoes

Sweet potatoes need a lot of heat and humidity to grow and a little plastic makes all the difference in the Pacific Northwest.

Kym Pokorny | May 1, 2024 | News story

Pucker up, it’s time to talk lemons

With their fragrant flowers and sweet flavor, Meyer lemons are a popular citrus to grow in a pot.

Kym Pokorny | Apr 20, 2024 | News story

If you mind moss, get on board with preventative measures

When lawn isn’t maintained properly, moss moves in.

Kym Pokorny | Apr 17, 2024 | News story

Carefree succulents continue to grow in popularity

Master Gardener Marcia Sherry has been collecting succulents since the 1970s and now has 50 varieties.

Kym Pokorny | Apr 17, 2024 | News story

Wildflowers give gardens a charming, relaxed look

Put aside an area of the garden for the beauty of wildflowers.

Kym Pokorny | Apr 10, 2024 | News story

Give the garden a facelift with six shrubs sporting dramatic foliage

Add colorful shrubs to the palette of plants you use to give color and texture to the landscape.

Kym Pokorny | Apr 5, 2024 | News story

Nesting boxes invite birds to hatch babies in home gardens

Don’t hang it and forget it. Check the box regularly to see if birds are being stalked by predators.

Kym Pokorny | Mar 31, 2024 | News story

Early spring is the best time to plant strawberries

Once you’ve decided on the type of strawberry to grow, you’ll want to choose a variety and decide which method to plant them.

Kym Pokorny | Mar 29, 2024 | News story

Five worthy trees for small gardens

Trees under 30 feet are the best candidates for small spaces

Kym Pokorny | Mar 26, 2024 | News story

No need for tears if you plant onions soon

March and April are prime times to plant onions.

Kym Pokorny | Mar 15, 2024 | 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, 2024 | News story

Snakes slither through the garden eating slugs, grubs and other pests

The vast majority of snakes in Oregon are very beneficial.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 27, 2024 | News story

Fruit trees need attention this time of year

Whether you have one or several, or plan to plant your first fruit tree, it’s time to give them the attention needed to keep them healthy and bearing fruit.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 9, 2024 | News story

Late winter to early spring care will help caneberries thrive

Caneberries should be fertilized in the early spring when new growth is starting.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 5, 2024 | News story

Learn the terms on seed packets to make the right selection

Understanding terms associated with seeds will help you pinpoint which selections best serve specific gardens and practices.

Kym Pokorny | Jan 23, 2024 | 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 21, 2024 | 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, 2024 | News story

Feed birds in winter with berry-bearing plants

Birds eat berries in winter for food to give them the energy they need to survive the prolonged stress of cold and wet weather.

Kym Pokorny | Jan 16, 2024 | News story

Prune blueberries yearly for more fruit

The best time to prune is from January to early-March during the dormant period.

Kym Pokorny | Jan 14, 2024 | News story

Wisteria care: Take out clippers twice a year and go to town

Before planting one, people should realize the effort involved in keeping them in bounds.

Kym Pokorny | Jan 8, 2024 | News story

Don’t be timid when pruning grapes

Most gardeners don't cut back the vine nearly enough.

Kym Pokorny | Jan 4, 2024 | News story

Get a leg up on fruit tree problems with dormant oils

Applying dormant sprays helps control nasty pests and diseases like codling moths and apple scab.

Kym Pokorny | Dec 14, 2023 | News story

Eight tips to gear up the garden for cold weather

Experts with Oregon State University Extension Service recommend several ways to guard your landscape from frigid conditions.

Kym Pokorny | Dec 8, 2023 | News story

Enthusiastic crowd attends OSU Extension workshop to hear about iconic madrone tree

With distinctive peeling bark and statuesque form madrone trees play an iconic role in the Pacific Northwest landscape.

Kym Pokorny | Dec 8, 2023 | News story

OSU’s Olea Project responds to grower interest in producing olives

The project began in earnest in 2017 to determine if olives could be a viable alternate crop in Oregon.

Kym Pokorny | Dec 8, 2023 | News story

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