Nick Andrews

Photo of Nick in a vegetable field
he/him/his

Organic Vegetable Extension

503-913-9410
[email protected]

Expertise: Organic Agriculture , Soil , Vegetables and Specialty Seeds , Insects

Programs: OSU Small Farms

Links: OSU Organic Agriculture , Organic Fertilizer & Cover Crop Calculator , Croptime , Western Cover Crops Council

Department/Unit: Horticulture

Biography

In 2020 Nick started serving as an OSU Organic Vegetable Extension specialist, from 2005 to 2019 he was a Small Farms Extension agent serving the Portland Metro-area. His work focuses on organic vegetable production including applied research on cover crops, nutrient management, vegetable degree-day models, and pest management. With colleagues he developed the OSU Organic Fertilizer & Cover Crop Calculator and Croptime. He is active in the Western Cover Crops Council, currently serving as Secretary.

Content by Nick Andrews

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)

Medicinal Herb Production in the Pacific Northwest

Medicinal herb crops are a diverse group consisting of both annual and perennial species. Some herbs are harvested for their flower or leaf tissue; others are harvested for root tissue or fruit. Within the herb production ...

Kristine Buckland, Alexandra Stone, Nick Andrews, Ann Rasmussen | Apr 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Organic farmers save money on fertilizer with OSU Extension tool

The OSU Organic Fertilizer and Cover Crop Calculator helps farmers estimate nitrogen release from cover crops and the cost of managing cover crops.

Dan M. Sullivan, Nick Andrews | Mar 2022 | Impact story

Calculator that measures nitrogen in cover crops can cut fertilizer costs

Calculating the amount of nitrogen a cover crop can add to a field can reduce the amount of fertilizer needed for a subsequent crop, which reduces costs. Here's how to make that calculation.

Nick Andrews | Feb 2021 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

OSU Extension steps up to address the needs of Oregon’s organic farms

In 2018, Extension created a half-time position for an organic vegetable Extension professor of practice, which is now held by Nick Andrews, a small crops specialist.

Nick Andrews | Jan 2021 | Impact story

Vegetable Degree-day Models: An Introduction for Farmers and Gardeners

Degree-days measure the amount of heat accumulated over time. Researchers have used years of this data to develop models that help farmers and gardeners predict harvest dates and other important events in select crops and weeds....

Nick Andrews, Leonard Coop, Heather Stoven, Heidi Noordijk, Aaron Heinrich | Jan 2021 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Extension-led effort enhances cover crops collaboration and education

In 2018, the the Western Cover Crop Council (WCCC) was formed to facilitate and enhance communication and collaboration among growers, Extension agents, researchers and other agricultural professionals.

Nick Andrews | Dec 2020 | Impact story

Estimating Plant-Available Nitrogen Release from Cover Crops

This publication assists western Oregon farmers and agricultural professionals in determining the nitrogen fertilizer replacement value of winter cover crops. Includes information on plant-available nitrogen (PAN) basics; a site-specific, ...

Dan M. Sullivan, Nick Andrews, Linda Brewer | Aug 2020 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Small Farm School boosts potential of new farmers in north Willamette Valley

Annual OSU Extension small farms event provides networking opportunities and research-based information to ensure sustainability of their farms and food operations.

Heidi Noordijk, Nick Andrews | Nov 2019 | Impact story

2019 Organic Extension Summit Report

Final report from the 2019 Organic Extension Summit held at OSU's North Willamette Research and Extension Center on April 17, 2019. 28 pages.

Nick Andrews, Anna Allen | Jul 2019 | Fact Sheet

OSU Organic Fertilizer & Cover Crop Calculator: Predicting Plant-available Nitrogen

Describes the OSU Organic Fertilizer & Cover Crop Calculator and using it to predict plant-available nitrogen.

Dan M. Sullivan, Nick Andrews, Clare Sullivan, Linda Brewer | May 2019 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Soil Nitrate Testing for Willamette Valley Vegetable Production

A soil nitrate test measures the concentration of nitrate in the soil at a specific moment in time, including nitrate originating from organic inputs, fertilizer, and soil organic matter. This publication describes how to use ...

Dan M. Sullivan, Nick Andrews, Aaron Heinrich, Ed Peachey, Linda Brewer | Jan 2019 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

ODA Blackleg Rule and small-scale hot water seed treatment

These slides describe simple hot-water treatment methods used by Wild Garden Seed and High Mowing Seed.

Nick Andrews, Frank Morton, Tom Stearns | Apr 2018 | Presentation

Designing a whole farm system

Whole Farming Principles and Strategies

Maud Powell, Nick Andrews, Melissa Matthewson, Shelley Elkovich, Gwendolyn Ellen, Tim Franklin, Don Tipping | Jul 2016 | Article

Croptime: Scheduling vegetables with degree-day models

Endothermic “warm blooded” organisms like birds and mammals maintain relatively constant body temperatures, so their metabolic reactions and development rates are fairly consistent over time. However, body temperatures of ectothermic ...

Nick Andrews, Heidi Noordijk | Mar 2016 | Article

Composting: Great promise that comes with challenges, is it a fit for your farm?

Compost is an excellent soil amendment that can quickly improve degraded soil. The composting process is also an excellent pest prevention strategy that can reduce weed seeds, plant and human pathogens, and other pests in raw ...

Nick Andrews | May 2015 | Article

Cover crop establishment in western Oregon vegetables

Cover crops planted in the fall offer a wealth of benefits such as protecting soil from erosion, supplying nitrogen and reducing weeds. Here are options for preparing a cover crop seedbed and a look at seeding methods.

Nick Andrews | Oct 2014 | Article

No Farm Too Small

An interview with Nick Andrews with the OSU Small Farms Program at NWREC. For more information visit OSU Small Farms.

Nick Andrews | Jan 2014 | Video

Ag water, soil amendments, exemption conditions top list of FSMA concerns

New federal regulations will likely bring big changes in how food is grown, harvested, packed, and processed in the U.S.; small farms and local and regional food systems will feel it too. The Food Safety Modernization Act, ...

Nick Andrews, Lauren Gwin | Jul 2013 | Article

Agricultural Composting and Water Quality

This publication addresses factors that farmers must consider when planning an on-farm composting enterprise: the composting process and its impact on water quality, site selection, facility layout and design, composting methods, and ...

Linda Brewer, Nick Andrews, Dan M. Sullivan | Jun 2013 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Using heat units to schedule vegetable plantings, predict harvest dates, and manage crops

Temperature controls the development of many organisms that don’t have complex thermoregulatory systems. This allows us to predict the development of different organisms by accurately using development or phenology models which are ...

Nick Andrews, Leonard Coop | May 2012 | Article

How to reap the benefits of winter cover crops

Planting cover crops on commercial farms is a good idea that is often difficult to execute. But with the right crops and proper timing, it can be done. The effort will be rewarded with improved soil for future crops.

Nick Andrews | Jan 2011 | Article

Carrot rust fly biology & management

Carrot rust flies (Psila rosae) are well known to growers of carrots, parsnips, celeriac, celery and other umbelliferous crops. The adult females are attracted to the odor of the host plant, and lay their eggs at the crown ...

Nick Andrews | Dec 2009 | Article

Wireworm: Biology and Nonchemical Management in Potatoes in the Pacific Northwest

Wireworms are among the most destructive of soil insect pests. This publication explains the wireworm life cycle and describes a program for monitoring and risk assessment. Nonchemical management methods are suggested, including crop ...

Nick Andrews, Silvia I. Rondon | Dec 2008 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

What's Wrong with my Potato Tubers? Diagnosing Tuber Abnormalities in Western Oregon and Washington

Describes and illustrates (color photos) tuber damage caused by insect pests, plant diseases, and physiological disorders.

Nick Andrews, Alexandra Stone | Jan 2008 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Turn manure into compost for your garden

Animal manure is rich in nutrients that make it a great organic fertilizer for your garden.

Apr 19, 2013 | News story

Answers to 3 common compost problems

If treated right, billions of microorganisms turn garden debris into black gold.

Kym Pokorny | Aug 27, 2018 | News story

Now’s the time to plan for cover crops

Cover crops can add organic matter and aerate the soil, protect it from compaction caused by rain, suppress weeds and reduce erosion,

Kym Pokorny | Aug 13, 2021 | News story

Now’s the time to plant winter cover crops to prepare soil for next year’s vegetable garden

These hardworking plants can add organic matter and aerate the soil, protect it from compaction caused by rain, suppress weeds and reduce erosion.

Kym Pokorny | Sep 9, 2022 | News story

Dogs sniff out destructive voles to help farmers with control

Because of vole activity in the Willamette Valley from 2018-2021, crops disappeared, pastures were ruined and young blueberries and orchard trees girdled.

Kym Pokorny | Jan 19, 2023 | News story

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