Digger magazine

Written to make you a nursery industry expert.

Attention English laurel growers

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Growers of Prunus laurocerasus cultivars (including English laurel, cherry laurel, ‘Skip’ and ‘Otto Luyken’) are advised that the species was added to California’s cherry fruit fly host list. All such plants must be certified before being shipped into California. “Certification for laurel into California is possible, albeit difficult and time-consuming,” Oregon Department of Agriculture horticulturalist […]

SPROut presents phytotechnology conference March 30-April 1

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The Sustainable Plant Research and Outreach Center (SPROut) will present “Soak It Up: Phytotechnology Solutions for Water Challenges,” a three-day conference, from March 30-April 1 at the Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton, Ore. This year’s conference will focus on plant-based solutions for stormwater and wastewater challenges. Keynote speakers will include Gerould Wilhelm of Conservation Design […]

‘The last thing employers need’

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The hot issue in Washington, D.C. right now is the much-discussed economic stimulus package, which has evolved and changed over the course of negotiations between Senate leaders, Obama administration officials and other involved parties. One of the provisions that could affect nursery owners would be the Kingston amendment, which is part of the House-approved version […]

Soil quality made easy

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The Oregon State University Extension Service has created a new tool that helps gardeners and farmers in the Willamette Valley assess their soil quality. And best of all, it’s free. The Soil Quality Card can be downloaded from www.tinyurl.com/goodsoil. PDF copies are free; physical sets of 25 can be ordered for $8 each. According to […]

Attrition by recession?

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Anti-immigrant groups have talked about being in favor of “attrition by enforcement” – that is, giving undocumented workers incentive to leave the country by stepping up enforcement at workplaces. However, a report at the CNN Web site indicates that many immigrants, who came here to fill jobs Americans couldn’t or wouldn’t during the boom times, […]

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Meet the crew at OAN, Digger

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The Oregon Association of Nurseries will hold its second open house today, from 4-6 p.m. in the OAN building, 29751 S.W. Town Center Loop West, Wilsonville, Ore. (get directions) The purpose of the gathering is to give members and non-members alike the chance to meet people, network, learn more about what 2009 has in store […]

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State of Perfection Tour V: The Grand Finale

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Stop five on our State of Perfection Tour was at Champoeg Horticulture in St. Paul, Ore., grower of clematis and other flowering and climbing vines, founded almost a decade ago by Mark and Darlene Wilmes. In this video, Mark tells us about one of his favorite clematises: We hope you’ve enjoyed these videos. Please leave […]

Emergency Conservation Program process begins in two counties

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Did your nursery suffer storm damage to temporary structures (e.g., hoop houses) or permanent irrigation equipment during the recent winter blast? Are you interested in funds to help you get the mess cleaned up? And, are you located in Washington or Columbia counties? If so, your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is […]

Judge places Columbia County measure on hold

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Columbia County’s controversial Measure 5-190, approved by that county’s voters in November, was supposed to take effect today. The measure would have penalized businesses that employ undocumented immigrants. However, Columbia County Circuit Court Judge Ted Grove ruled on Friday that the measure cannot be enforced until legal questions surrounding it have been sorted out. Plaintiffs […]