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.
Gardeners in the Willamette Valley can successfully grow succulent plants by creating conditions that allow them to thrive. That includes well-drained soil and proper watering. Here's a guide.
The plants in the field trials were chosen by an advisory group of nursery growers and landscape designers and were evaluated on growth, visual appeal, timing of flowering, density of flowers, physiology and heat tolerance.
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. .
A heat wave can turn a hydrangea's lush green leaves and beautiful blooms brown and brittle in no time. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here's what gardeners can do to protect hydrangeas from the heat.
Collection of forage resources, mostly for Coastal Oregon regions. Includes studies on fiber digestibility, phosphoric soil, rations, and cost/benefit of growing and buying locally grown forages.
Cool-season perennial and annual forages often struggle during the heat of summer. Fortunately, there are some strategies to consider — including planting drought-tolerant forages, warm-season grasses and annual legumes.
In streamside or riparian areas, choosing the right plants and where to plant them depends on location in relation to the streambed. There are three zones that dictate the kinds of plants that can be grown.