Blackberries are ubiquitous in Oregon but to grow them in the home garden takes some planning and know-how. Choosing the right variety for your environment and proper off-season care are key to success at home.
Burning the slash left behind after a logging operation isn't the only method for getting rid of it. Among the alternatives are piling but not burning, "forestry mulching," creating biochar and doing nothing.
Amy Grotta |
Oct 2019 |
Article
Photo Credit: Andrei310 - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)
Integrated pest management is a holistic, environmentally friendly approach to pest management that is appropriate for home gardens as well as commercial production. Here are the basic concepts to get started.
Mechanical and physical controls are among the most fascinating components of an integrated pest management program. This arsenal involves numerous physical barriers, traps, nets and other mechanical devices.
In integrated pest management, biological controls might include predatory or parasitic insects, bacteria or fungi, and biopesticides. More and more biocontrol methods are becoming available to the home gardener.
Companion planting can attract beneficial insects, serve as a trap crop for pests, improve soil health, and much more. This list was created by a retail nursery employee and offers some suggestions of herbs and flowers that can be used as companions to vegetable crops.