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Can Kincaid's Lupine improve my soil?

Q: I'm an urban rental dweller in West Portland, and the soil in my yard appears to be of very poor quality and I can't afford to purchase fertilizer to improve it. My yeard is full of dandelions and weeds currently. After...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

General care for hydrangeas

Look to this hydrangea how-to for advice on soil, water, pruning and more. Learn a simple pH trick that will turn blooms from pink to blue.

Kristin VanHoose | Jun 2018 | Article

Wheat virus is bigger problem in Pacific Northwest than previously thought

Wheat soil-borne mosaic disease was first detected in the Walla Walla Valley along the Oregon and Washington border in 2008.

Chris Branam | Mar 2, 2020 | News story

Herbicide carryover in hay, manure, compost and grass clippings

Herbicides applied to pastures and some crops can persist in soil amendments like hay, manure, compost and grass clippings. Make sure your amendments are free of these herbicides before you contaminate your soil.

Mar 2010 | Article

Selecting Native Plants for Home Landscapes in Central Oregon

If planted in a suitable habitat, native plants are well adapted to Central Oregon soils and climate. When grown in the right conditions, native plants experience less environmental, insect, and disease damage than nonnative plants.

Amy Jo Detweiler | May 2008 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fertilizing Shade and Ornamental Trees

Describes how to identify signs of nutrient deficiency in shade and ornamental trees. Discusses the most common soil nutrient deficiencies, types of fertilizer, and fertilization techniques. Offers a simple method, ...

Ann Marie VanDerZanden | Dec 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

As Russian thistle becomes resistant to glyphosate, OSU Extension weed scientist finds alternatives for wheat farmers

Russian thistle thrives in the dry climate of eastern Oregon and Washington and if left unchecked develops an extensive root system that competes with wheat for water and nutrients.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 2, 2021 | News story

OSU Extension research group searches for plants to weather climate change

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.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 1, 2023 | News story

Turfgrasses and lawn care in Eastern Oregon

Today, turfgrass is the single largest irrigated crop in the United States and covers three times the land area of any other cultivated crop. An estimated 40.5 million acres of grasses are planted in residential, commercial and...

Richard Smiley | Jan 2018 | Article

Go underground with bulbs for colorful spring bloom

When purchasing bulbs, choose large ones. The bigger the bulb, the bigger the bloom.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 20, 2023 | News story