Home gardening

Handbooks deal with insects, diseases and weeds (oh my)

By Curt Kipp — Posted April 16, 2010

Oregon State University has published three new handbooks, aimed at gardeners, which provide the latest ways of dealing with insect pests, weeds, and plant diseases. There are print editions that can be purchased from bookstores, from an online store, or by calling the OSU Extension and Experiment Station Communications at 800-561-6719. There are also online […]

State of Perfection Clip 4: Bountiful Farms

By Curt Kipp — Posted January 27, 2010

Clip 4 in our State of Perfection videos features Bountiful Farms in Woodburn, Ore., which is known for its sculptured plants. Todd Nelson, co-owner, talks about the company’s signature tree screens, which can be used to create outdoor “rooms” and other private areas. Check it out. We’ll be back soon with two more videos – […]

Edibles and green walls combine to form new trend

By Curt Kipp — Posted December 4, 2009

You’ve heard how hot edibles have been in the nursery industry over the last year. Thanks to the sour economy and a desire for sustainability, more and more gardeners are motivated to grow their own food. You’ve also probably heard of green walls, which offer ecological as well as aesthetic benefits. Well, now here’s a […]

Top 10 trends in landscaping

By Curt Kipp — Posted June 25, 2009

The Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado launched their new Web site with a list of the top 10 trends in landscaping, which you can read in this Word document. Among the entries: edibles, staycations, going green, shade trees, gardens as therapy.

Northwest Flower & Garden Show may have buyer

By Curt Kipp — Posted April 21, 2009

There are actually two buyers interested in purchasing the show from founder Duane Kelly, according to the Everett (Wash.) Herald. Kelly earlier had announced that without a buyer, the 2009 edition would be the last.

Victory gardens of the new millennium

By Curt Kipp — Posted April 16, 2009

Congratulations to Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) garden writer Kym Pokorny, who landed a Page One byline today for her excellent feature on vegetable gardening, fruit trees and other edibles. As we have reported previously, interest is very high in food gardening right now. Not only can edibles save a lot of money, but they look pretty […]

Gardening hotline returns to Portland

By Curt Kipp — Posted April 3, 2009

Gardeners in Multnomah County, Ore. now have a new resource to help them solve gardening problems. Oregon State University Extension Service has partnered with the West Multnomah Soil and Water Conversation District to establish a new, volunteer-staffed gardening hotline at 503-445-4608. It’s available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. The public can also drop in and […]

CNN on ‘recession gardens’

By Curt Kipp — Posted April 1, 2009

CNN reports on the spike in gardening this year, as people grow more edibles to save money on their grocery bills.

Soil quality made easy

By Curt Kipp — Posted February 10, 2009

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 […]

Seattle, San Francisco garden shows ending

By Curt Kipp — Posted January 30, 2009

Duane Kelly, chairman of Salmon Bay Events, made an announcement this morning that surprised many people in the industry — that the Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle, and the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, will both end with their 2009 editions, unless he can find a buyer for them. From the official […]