Douglas County Master Gardener Association

Got a plant problem or question? Maybe an unidentified insect? At the Plant Clinic we answer a wide range of questions about home gardening. We diagnose plant problems; identify insects and plants; and answer general garden and orchard management questions.

This is a free service to our local community!

We encourage you to call, email or walk-in with your questions!

541-236-3052
[email protected]
1134 SE Douglas Ave., Roseburg

Plant Clinic volunteers are only authorized to help home gardeners. Small farms, livestock and forage farmers, and woodland owners with agricultural issues should contact the OSU Extension Office directly to speak to an Agent for help (541) 672-4461

Did you know? There's a Composting Education Area in the Discovery Garden. Just south of the pavilion lies the Composting Area where rich and fertile soil amendments are produced for the garden’s raised beds and nursery stock. Read about composting, vermicomposting and biochar. Compare methods of composting and look over equipment — tumblers, multi-bin enclosures, single bins like the black plastic “Darth Vader” (a.k.a. Earth Machine™) composter and others. Drop by Tuesday mornings if you have questions or want to learn more. The Discovery Garden is open daily to the public from dawn to dusk.

https://www.douglascountymg.org/programs/the-discovery-garden/composting/

Did you know that we offer soil testing for residents of Douglas County?

Our soil testing results give the pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium levels. These are the key tests for the home gardener. Along with the results you will receive links to several great OSU publications. The cost per soil test is $15 for the public.

So dig up a sample and drop it by the Extension Office (1134 SE Douglas in Roseburg) and we’ll test it for you! Payment due at drop-off (cash or check).

https://www.douglascountymg.org/programs/soil-testing/

A great article about a strange bee observed by Master Gardener, Karin Seder. Enjoy!

Earlier in this month I noticed this one rather aggressive bee, different from the common European Honeybee, who favored the deep blue flower spikes of the Salvia plant “Mystic Spires.” Day after day this particular bee would land in the same spot next to the salvia and proceed to chase off any other bee that tried to visit the plant. He was very aggressive towards other bees and would fly at the intruders and knock them off the plant or attack them in mid-air. This happened over and over again with any bee that dared come near the salvia. I was able to get a good look at the aggressor and took a photo to attempt to ID using the Bees of Oregon identification card. It was easy to spot this guy as the European Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum.) Further research described this bee to a ‘T’ –
territorial, aggressive toward other bees, and defends their favorite plants against other male bees in order to minimize competition for females. The Wool-Carder males will even prevent any female Wool-Carder Bee from gaining access to the plant until she allows him mating privileges. And this interesting fact: Wool-Carder Bees are so named because the female collects or cards plant hairs for their nests – that is why Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantine) with its fuzzy foliage is a favorite of
the Wool Carder Bee. These bees can be aggressive towards people, but so far, I have been allowed to work in the area without a problem!

You can read more about the Wool-Carder Bee at this OSU site:

https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/nurspest/insects/european-wool-carder-bee

and the U.S.
Forest Service site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-themonth/wool-carder-bee.shtml

Come by & see us at the Douglas County Fair this week! We’re here through Saturday to answer all of your gardening questions!

Top 5 plants for unirrigated landscapes in Western Oregon - Drought-tolerant landscape plants for Western Oregon, including California lilac (Ceanothus), Rockrose (Cistus and Halimium), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos), Spider flower (Grevillea) and ground cover shrubs.

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/collection/top-5-plants-unirrigated-landscapes-western-oregon

Today the Victory Garden crew took in 360 pounds of produce, consisting of summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, various types of peppers, onions and Swiss chard. It was a great day to harvest!! 🥒🧅🫑🥬

Got a plant problem or question? Maybe an unidentified insect? At the Plant Clinic we answer a wide range of questions about home gardening. We diagnose plant problems; identify insects and plants; and answer general garden and orchard management questions.

This is a free service to our local community!

We encourage you to call, email or walk-in with your questions!

541-236-3052
[email protected]
1134 SE Douglas Ave., Roseburg

Plant Clinic volunteers are only authorized to help home gardeners. Small farms, livestock and forage farmers, and woodland owners with agricultural issues should contact the OSU Extension Office directly to speak to an Agent for help (541) 672-4461

Douglas County Master Gardener Association We aim to engage Oregonians with research-based knowledge and education that strengthens communities, sustains natural resources, promotes healthy living.