This publication provides direction on estimating soil moisture by the "feel and appearance" method; taking a some soil and rolling it up in a ball then squeezing it between your thumb and forefinger to form a ribbon and noting how it appears and feels. Compare what you see with photographs and/or charts to estimate percent water available and the inches depleted below field capacity.
Recycling organic debris for composting and improving soil doesn’t have to be a chore! If hot composting is not for you, try one of these easy cold-composting methods. Each has advantages and disadvantages but the end result is the same: improved garden soil and less organic waste in landfill.
This report includes preliminary data for the second of a three-year study. Since this year was a record drought year, results could vary from a normal rainfall year. Finalized data and observations will be released in future as peer-reviewed studies, reports, and extension articles. For more information, please visit the RDFA project page. .
On-farm trials help growers test if promising experiment station research results can be replicated on their farms. However, these on-farm trials must be carefully planned to ensure the results are valid.
Christy Tanner, Gordon B. Jones, Betsy Verhoeven |
May 2023 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
Home gardeners love to grow tomatoes. But getting a tomato from seedling to fruit can be challenging, especially in Oregon where the weather isn't always cooperative. Here are five things that can ruin a home crop.
The philosophy for this online source is to provide the home gardener with OSU publications, research, and news items that are related to the home orchard and garden.