Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series for 2024

Growing Hot and Cold: Successful Vegetable Gardening in Any Season (Part 1)

We’ve all had disappointing harvests that took more effort than they were worth. Sometimes it’s just one or two plant families that cause frustration. (I’m looking at you, cucurbits.) In this two-part series, presenters Lisa Rayburn and Nicole Sanchez will go over the major pests and pitfalls for each vegetable family, discuss the challenges unique to warm/wet climates and cool/dry ones, and give you tips to help you improve your growing game. This month they focus on cool-season veggies.

Presenters: Lisa Rayburn works with North Carolina State University as an Extension agent, providing technical support for commercial fruit and vegetable growers in southeastern North Carolina. Nicole Sanchez has been at Oregon State University’s Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center since 2016 as a professor of practice, working with both commercial and home horticulture programs as well as a variety of insect-related projects.

Flavor, Savor: Growing Culinary Herbs

Fresh culinary herbs can be hard to find in stores, cost a mint, and don’t keep long in the fridge. Dried ones might sit on shelves, losing flavor for years before they’re even bought. Try growing your own to save money and get a more potent product. Herb farmer Jeff Higley will offer you sage advice, basil basics, and more.

Presenter: Jeff Higley is an herbalist and farmer. In 2013, he and his wife, Elise, blended their experience and dreams to create Oshala Farm, their 145-acre herb farm in Applegate Valley, Oregon. The farm has more than 80 herbs in cultivation, is certified organic, and employs regenerative, sustainable cultivation practices.

Nowhere to Grow but Up: Gardening without Land

One of the first things we’re taught about plants is that they need sun, water, air, and soil to grow. But while having dirt doesn’t hurt, you can grow a surprising amount of food with little—or no—land. Master Gardener Richard Bertram will walk us through some methods, such as hydroponics and using vertical space.

Presenter: Richard Bertram has been a Master Gardener in Umatilla County for nearly a decade. He credits his aptitude for picking up gardening lore to his curiosity and willingness to simply try things. This has made him a resource for topics ranging from hydroponics to figs, and he presents on these and other topics.

May 14, 2024 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PDT

Giving It Away: Growing Produce You Can Take to the (Food) Bank

Sharing your garden’s surplus with your local food bank is great way to ensure that people in need in your community have access to fresh, nutritious produce. Maybe you have had interest in donating your excess harvest or deliberately growing extra to give away but weren’t sure how to or what guidelines there might be or what to plant. Klamath-Lake Food Bank director Niki Sampson will lead a panel discussion with gardeners who support their communities in this meaningful way, so you can learn how to take food banks into account when gardening.

Presenter: Niki Sampson has been with the Klamath-Lake Counties Food Bank for 28 years and is currently serving as its executive director. Their mission is to supply food and non-food products to programs that provide for those who struggle with food insecurity. Almost three decades ago, the program served about 10–12 nonprofits; today, that number is nearly 100. In 2023, they distributed 2.6 million pounds of food, including 400,000 pounds of fresh produce.

Jul 9, 2024 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PDT

Fruit Fight: Dormant-Season Fruit Tree Care

If you want productive, resilient fruit trees during the warm months, you need to take action during the crisp ones. OSU Extension horticulturist Cody Copp will show you what you can do about pests and diseases between growing seasons and share pruning principles, so that you can nip fruit tree problems in the bud and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Presenter: Cody Copp is a horticulturist for OSU Extension Service in Umatilla County. He provides educational programming and applied research for commercial horticulture (tree fruit, vegetables, and wine grapes), in addition to supporting the home horticulture needs of Umatilla County and Eastern Oregon. He received his master’s in horticulture from Oregon State University.

Sep 10, 2024 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PDT