Make the McKenzie Connection!
Make the McKenzie Connection!
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By Denise Ruttan A greenhouse in Newport Judie Rickus' greenhouse in Newport. (Photo by Judie Rickus) Do Oregon's short, dark winter days have you dreaming of the sunshine of exotic lands? Jazz up your windowsill with glamorous orchids. The bold beauties are not as finicky to care for as their reputation claims, according to Master Gardeners who were trained by the Oregon State University Extension Service. An orchid that is properly watered can brighten your home for years. Lisa Long of St. Helens, a Master Gardener since 1994, has grown...
Bird feeder image By Denise Ruttan Photo by Betsy Hartley As you're welcoming wild birds into your yard this winter, be sure to keep your bird feeder clean and keep an eye on the health of your feathered diners. "Sick birds will either be found dead or perched, often with feathers in disarray, eyes squinted or wings held out," said Dana Sanchez, a wildlife specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. "Healthy birds are alert and mobile, whereas sick birds stand out because they are neither of those." Birds can get salmonella...
By Denise Ruttan Rain garden Photo by Derek Godwin Rain gardens feature hardy, drought-resistant plants in a landscaping design with a purpose. Oregon's winters are a good time to observe how water flows on your property so you can later create a rain garden. These landscapes with a purpose are dug-out areas where storm water from a hard surface like a roof or driveway can soak into the soil instead of flowing into a storm drain or sewer system, said Weston Miller, a horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. One...
By Denise Ruttan Bird feeder Photo by Betsy Hartley As you're welcoming wild birds into your yard this winter, be sure to keep your bird feeder clean and keep an eye on the health of your feathered diners. "Sick birds will either be found dead or perched, often with feathers in disarray, eyes squinted or wings held out," said Dana Sanchez, a wildlife specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. "Healthy birds are alert and mobile, whereas sick birds stand out because they are neither of those." Birds can get salmonella from bi...
Snow & Woody Plants Trees broken by snow "Snow is both friend and foe to trees and shrubs," says Tchukki Andersen, staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). "Snow causes its share of damage, as we all know, but in many cases it also protects plants and their roots against extreme fluctuations in temperature that could damage or even kill them." Snow does cause four kinds of damage to trees and woody shrubs: bending; breaking; splitting; and falling or uprooting. Whether woody plants will be damaged in one of these ways...
By Denise Ruttan Poinsettias Poinsettias make popular holiday gifts. When you bring one indoors, keep a consistent temperature for the heat-loving plant. (Photo by Hannah O'Leary.) A traditional holiday centerpiece, bright poinsettias bring cheer to many homes in the short, dark days of winter. But should you put the south-of-the-border plant in the ground after the holidays? It depends on whether you're a gambler, said Ross Penhallegon, a horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. A few brave Oregon gardeners have succe...
Interior tree decay Tree failure is a major cause of residential property damage, as well as the leading cause of power outages nationwide. An ice storm can overload all the branches on a tree, a hurricane or high wind can blow down a tree if its roots are compromised, or a cracked tree can fail under its own weight. "Homeowners who are worried about trees falling and damaging property should call a professional arborist for an on-site inspection," advises Tchukki Andersen, CTSP, BCMA*, staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association....
Spruce up your Christmas tree with these tips By Denise Ruttan Christmas tree needles Christmas tree needles - Look for trees with firm needles that bounce back when you bend them. (Photo by Lynn Ketchum.) After Thanksgiving, most tree lots are busy welcoming the crowds for a festive annual tradition – choosing the Christmas tree that will warm your home this December. After you find that perfect tree, you’ll want to keep it fresh for the holiday season. Chal Landgren, a Christmas tree specialist with the Oregon State University E...
Tree Pruning 101 Illustration of tree pruning The objective of pruning is to produce strong, healthy, attractive plants. By understanding how, when and why to prune, and by following a few simple principles, this objective can be achieved. Reasons For Pruning The main reasons for pruning ornamental and shade trees include safety, health, and aesthetics. In addition, pruning can be used to stimulate fruit production and increase the value of timber. Pruning for safety involves removing branches that could fall and cause injury or property...
Guidebook identifies good bugs and the bad bugs they love to eat By Judy Scott With a hand lens and photo-illustrated guide by Oregon State University Extension and Oregon Tilth, you can teach yourself to identify beneficial insects that prey on crop pests. The guide is called “A Pocket Guide: Common Natural Enemies of Crop and Garden Pests in the Pacific Northwest” (EC 1613-E). It includes macroscopic photos of many natural predators and parasitoids in their life stages, along with identification and observation tips. It is available onl...
An organic field By Judy Scott Gardening resources often recommend chemical fertilizers with N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) ratios, but for organic gardeners, the numbers can be frustrating. Manure and other organic materials often don't come with N-P-K ratings, especially if purchased in bulk. Organic gardeners are in luck. Ross Penhallegon, horticulturalist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, collected information about the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of many organic substances commonly used as...
Are pesticides hazardous? That’s up to you! Don't spray pesticides like this" src="http://mckenzieriverreflectionsnewspaper.com/sites/default/files/small_No%20pesticide.png" style="width: 180px; height: 178px; margin: 5px; float: left;" By Tim Stock Pesticides can harm humans, animals, birds, fish, insects, and plants if used carelessly. They also can pollute the air, water, and soil. You can reduce these hazards if you use pesticides properly. Before buying any pesticide, make sure you’ve identified the pest correctly and that you’re choos...
A dead tree or shrub? Learn from a post-mortem analysis OSU tips for not killing trees By Judy Scott Often we discover in the spring that a tree or shrub just didn't make it through the winter. There are many reasons for a woody plant to succumb and a "post-mortem" analysis can point out clues. The weather is the first possible culprit, said Barb Fick, home horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. A stressful winter, with heavy snow and ice, can break a lot of limbs. "Rapid temperature fluctuations from warm to cold al...
Tree full of apples By Carol Savonen There are hundreds of varieties of apples grown in Oregon, from old heirlooms to modern disease resistant cultivars. But often apple tree owners don’t know what kind of apple tree they have, much less recognize when their specific type of apple is at its peak of perfection and ready to harvest. Here are some hints to help those with apple trees figure out what to do, from the Oregon State University Extension Service. Any given variety of apple reaches harvest maturity at about the same time each year. So k...
Giant pumpkin by Scott Culley By Judy Scott Pumpkins and other winter squash can grow like weeds, and as they trail out between raised beds and down rows of corn, gardeners often ask how and where to store them all. Giant pumpkin carved by Scott Cully Now is a good time to ask, because pumpkins and other winter squash won't survive the first frost. Tried-and-true storing techniques, however, can keep winter squash for several months. "Most squashes and pumpkins are warm-season crops and are susceptible to injury at temperatures less than 50...
BIRDS OF WALTERVILLE CANAL AND POND By Dan Gleason Tentative list as of 2/19/07 (Includes birds in habitat visible across the canal and orchard not part of EWEB property) Notes: (C) = Confirmed sightings (P) = Possible species to look for ANSERIFORMES (Geese, Ducks & Swans) ANATIDAE (Geese and Ducks) Branta canadensis Canada Goose (P) Aix sponsa Wood Duck (P) Anas americana American Wigeon (P) Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Anas cyanoptera Cinnamon Teal (P) Anas clypeata Northern Shoveler (P) Anas crecca Green-winged Teal (P) Aythya collaris...
See plants turn fall colors before you buy them Fall leaves By Davi Richards & Carol Savonen Northwest gardeners are blessed with many evergreen plants that keep the landscape looking alive all year. Even so, a vibrant splash of color in the garden can ease the loss of summer. Perennials, especially asters and chrysanthemums, may be the most familiar plants for fall garden color. There are also trees and shrubs that can brighten up your surroundings when summer's over, some of them familiar and some unusual. You can plan ahead and look in...
See plants turn fall color before you buy them By Davi Richards & Carol Savonen CORVALLIS, Ore. - Northwest gardeners are blessed with many evergreen plants that keep the landscape looking alive all year. Even so, a vibrant splash of color in the garden can ease the loss of summer. Perennials, especially asters and chrysanthemums, may be the most familiar plants for fall garden color. There are also trees and shrubs that can brighten up your surroundings when summer's over, some of them familiar and some unusual. You can plan ahead and look in...
How can birds eat if they have no teeth? Photo of heron by eNature Most people, even most kids, know that birds have no teeth. Likewise, it’s common knowledge that quite a few birds consume almost exclusively hard foods such as grains and seeds. So so how do birds digest these tough morsels if they can’t chew them into more edible pieces? The answer lies in a bird’s stomach—in the lower part of its stomach, to be specific, the area called the gizzard. It’s here that the powerful mixing and gnashing of food that occurs in human mouths...
Fight fire with plants? You bet. OSU fire booklet By Judy Scott With summer and wildfire season upon us, it's a good time to look at your yard and see if it's a fire hazard. One way to reduce the risk of a fire engulfing your house is by surrounding it with fire-resistant plants. Such plants do not readily ignite. They may be damaged or even killed by fire, but their foliage and stems do not significantly contribute to a fire's intensity, said Amy Jo Detweiler, a horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. In essence,...
Create Some Brush Piles Now And Watch Your Local Wildlife Thrive! Brush pile photo by eNature Autumn is the best time of the year to create some brush piles for the birds in your backyard. Fall trimmings can be piled up in a corner or along the edge of the yard, where it will give ground-inhabiting birds additional cover against winter weather and predators. About half the birds that we feed in our backyards spend much of their lives on the ground nesting, roosting and in search of food. Piles of brush are ideal protective cover for resident...
Create Some Brush Piles Now And Watch Your Local Wildlife Thrive! Brush pile photo by eNature Autumn is the best time of the year to create some brush piles for the birds in your backyard. Fall trimmings can be piled up in a corner or along the edge of the yard, where it will give ground-inhabiting birds additional cover against winter weather and predators. About half the birds that we feed in our backyards spend much of their lives on the ground nesting, roosting and in search of food. Piles of brush are ideal protective cover for resident...
Create brush piles and watch local wildlife thrive! Brush pile photo by eNature Autumn is the best time of the year to create some brush piles for the birds in your backyard. Fall trimmings can be piled up in a corner or along the edge of the yard, where it will give ground-inhabiting birds additional cover against winter weather and predators. About half the birds that we feed in our backyards spend much of their lives on the ground nesting, roosting and in search of food. Piles of brush are ideal protective cover for resident and migrating...
Photo of garlic Select healthy large cloves, free of disease. Photo by Rachel Beck Article By Tiffany Woods Fall is approaching but don't put away your hoe and gardening gloves just yet. September through November is the best time to plant garlic. Its roots develop in the fall and winter, and by early spring they can support the rapid leaf growth that is necessary to form large bulbs, said Chip Bubl, a horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. What type of garlic should you plant? Some gardeners like to grow...
Tips to deter pillaging raccoons By Judy Scott Raccoons are wonderful animals to watch, but can be a real pain in the garden. They dig in vegetable beds, eat fruit off trees and vines, knock down corn and break into bird feeders. By understanding the life and habits of these masked marauders, you can protect your landscaping and save your precious produce. Nocturnal by nature, raccoons often search for food late in the evening and early morning. They are omnivores and eat fruit, vegetables, eggs, birds, insects, carrion, fish and other aquatic...
