Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) There is a relatively new pest in Oregon that can damage azaleas, rhododendrons and pieris (Ericaceae): The azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) was first confirmed in Oregon in 2009 by Oregon State University (OSU) researchers after it was found in Washington in 2008. The pest becomes active in mid- to […]
Anna Ball on the future of horticulture
By — Posted
Anna Ball spoke to the Oregon Association of Nurseries Retail and Greenhouse Chapter last week about current and future trends in horticulture. We have compiled several of the highlights from her speech into a video, which you can view right here:
Ecotrust reports economic boost from restoration projects
By — Posted
Watershed and fish habitat restoration jobs provide benefits for more than just fish and wildlife, according to Ecotrust. These projects created 6,483 jobs in the state from 2001–2010 and generated $977.5 million in economic activity over that same time period, according to the Portland-based nonprofit, which works on a variety of environmental and restoration projects […]
New USDA zone map released
By — Posted
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its first new climate zone map in more than new decades. The new 2012 map, downloadable here (various other versions here), replaces the previous map published in 1990. According to USA Today, the new map is much more localized — in fact, it’s accurate down to one-half mile. […]
Ag inspections suffered in wake of 9/11
By — Posted
If you fly on an airplane, then you have experienced firsthand how U.S. security priorities changed following 9/11. A huge new agency, the Department of Homeland Security, was created and given broad powers to stop terrorist threats. Passengers were treated to body imaging, patdowns and a thicket of regulations governing what they can and can’t […]
OAN member fights pollution
By — Posted
A tip of the hat to OAN member Althouse Nursery of Cave Junction, Ore., for donating plants to a restoration project that will help clean runoff from Interstate 5 near Medford, Ore. Thanks to their generosity, salmon won’t have to swim in water tainted with motor oil.
Native plants can solve Willamette Basin problems
By — Posted
When people think of an unhealthy river, chemical discharges may be first thing that comes to mind, but other conditions in the water can also be a problem for fish and wildlife. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality just released a 650-site assessment of the Willamette River basin which concludes in part that high water […]
Save big on Farwest Show registration
By — Posted
Everyone’s talking about Oregon’s nursery showcase, the 37th annual Farwest Show, which is set for Aug. 20-22 in Portland, but time is running short! You only have a few more days to save big on admission to the show. This Friday, July 31, is the deadline for early bird registration, which will save you $10-$20 […]
Green Communities Act introduced
By — Posted
The Oregon Association of Nurseries, and numerous other green industry trade groups, are getting behind the Green Communities Act, a federal bill introduced recently by U.S. Rep. Alyson Schwartz (D-Penn.). The bill would direct the U.S. Department of Commerce to award matching grants to up to 80 municipalities towards improving their “green infrastructure.” This could […]
SPROut presents phytotechnology conference March 30-April 1
By — Posted
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 […]