Weston Miller

Weston Miller
Photo: Leah Smith
he/him

Community Horticulture

Contact me for gardening questions in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties in Oregon.

503-655-8631
[email protected]

Expertise: Garden Soil and Compost , Gardening Techniques

Programs: Metro Area Master Gardener

Locations: Clackamas County , Washington County

Biography

Weston Miller serves as Community and Urban Horticulturist for OSU Extension Service. Since 2007, he has managed the popular Master Gardener™ program in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties to provide research-based horticulture and pest management information to the community. He provides leadership for SolvePestProbelm.org: The Oregon IPM website to make reliable pesticide risk reduction information available to audiences currently underserved by OSUs educational outreach. He serves as elected Director and Treasurer for West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District. In his free time, Weston enjoys skiing and gardening and hiking with his family.

Content by Weston Miller

Solve Pest Problems

Learn research-based, safe, and effective tactics for common garden and property pests and weeds. We provide non-chemical methods alongside the most effective and least toxic chemical options available, to reduce risk to people and the environment. Solve Pest Problems is a partnership between OSU and Oregon stakeholders to provide a user-friendly online resource to help urban and rural property managers to solve pest problems.

Weston Miller | Oct 2022 | Online resource Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How can I reclaim an overgrown ivy patch?

Q: How can I kill ivy? I have tried pulling it but it re-sprouts. It is well established and everywhere. Is glyphosate effective and/or safe?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Is no mow May a good idea?

Q: We've been asked to consider a "No Mow May" proclamation to encourage support for insects by not mowing lawns for one month. Do you have an opinion specifically about the natural resource value of this messaging and action?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

How to grow and maintain a healthy lawn

Maintaining a healthy lawn requires a little knowledge and a big commitment to regular maintenance. Learn what it takes, from seeding or sodding to fertilizing, watering, mowing and aerating.

Weston Miller | Mar 2022 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Saffron crop came out bland

Q: We just finished harvesting our first good crop of saffron crocus from our yard. We often get many plants but only a few flowers. This year, we got about 50 blooms over a few weeks. After drying for a few days, we ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Herbicide-Contaminated Compost and Soil Mix: What You Should Know — and What You Can Do About It

Compost and soil mix products sometimes contain herbicide residue. This residue can damage certain vegetable, fruit and flower crops. The residue likely comes from contaminated hay, grass clippings or manure. Watch for stunted growth...

Weston Miller | Feb 2021 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

How to Use Compost in Gardens and Landscapes

Compost is a soil amendment consisting of partially broken-down organic material. Use compost to improve soil for vegetable gardens, landscape areas and lawns. Learn how to apply the correct amount of compost and how to avoid common compost mistakes.

Weston Miller | Feb 2021 | 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

Looking for Frog-Friendly Moss Control

Q: Does moss treatment that is typically used on roofs hurt frogs?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Heavy metals in urban soils: Best practices to stay safe

Q: Given the recent news on emissions of heavy metals in Portland, I'm looking for information on which vegetables take up these pollutants from the soil. What else should I be concerned about?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

No showers for tomatoes.

Q: I read not to spray tomatoes, only hydrate from the bottom. I've heard that spraying on a hot, sunny day can blister veggies. Today I replanted my starter plants; I'm aching to spray them with water because it is so hot today. Should I wait until dusk, spray all veggies but tomatoes?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Pig poo probably problematic.

Q: I've been told I shouldn't be using pig poo in my vegetable garden. Is this true? I pen the pigs in an area, let them till it up and mix their poo and hay in, then I move them into a new area and plant the ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Pumpkin picking, now or later?

Q: Should I pick my pumpkins or leave them on the vine? They are fully orange and the vines are dying. Is it better to pick them and store them or just leave them until October?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

More raspberries please

Q: I have ever bearing raspberries and lately they have not produced much. How do I prune them to get more fruit?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

To Mow or not to Mow

Q: Should I mow the lawn in winter?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

An Educator's Guide to Vegetable Gardening

This publication is a primer on vegetable gardening written specifically for educators, including those who use gardens as part of a nutrition education curriculum. It outlines a full-circle approach to educational gardening, provides...

Weston Miller, Gail Langellotto | Sep 2011 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Keeping pH in the right range is essential

Keeping pH in the right range for certain plants is essential.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 24, 2021 | 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 | Jan 3, 2020 | News story

Know what your plants need before fertilizing

Doing research up front helps you know which plants need fertilizer, how much and when to apply.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 29, 2018 | News story

Give plants a head start by planting in fall

As more people push to plant in autumn, garden stores are stocking more at the end of summer.

Kym Pokorny | Sep 17, 2021 | 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 | Mar 20, 2020 | News story

Time spent in the garden now saves work in spring

Cooler weather is calling us inside, but it's a good time for getting things done in the garden.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 29, 2018 | News story

Seize some seeds from the garden for planting next year

The key to saving seed is selecting open-pollinated or heirloom plants, which produce offspring with the same traits.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 1, 2021 | 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, 2020 | News story

Let soil temperature guide you when planting vegetables

It's time to plant cool-weather vegetables like greens and peas; wait for the soil to warm before planting tomatoes, squash and peppers.

Kym Pokorny | Apr 12, 2019 | News story

New Extension website helps solve pest and disease problems

Solve Pest and Weed Problems focuses specifically on the Pacific Northwest and prioritizes low-risk approaches.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 10, 2022 | News story

Adding compost improves soil’s texture and adds nutrients

The best soil amendment is partially broken-down organic material, better known as compost

Kym Pokorny | Mar 13, 2021 | News story

Popularity of native plants on the rise

Native plants take less care if sited correctly and are a boon to birds and pollinators.

Kym Pokorny | May 3, 2019 | News story

Plant veggies at the right time to avoid disappointment

One of the biggest mistakes people make is to plant too early.

Kym Pokorny | Apr 26, 2021 | News story

Rev up for another season of harvest by planting now

Planting some crops now means you'll have some to harvest come fall.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 5, 2019 | 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, 2018 | News story

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