WSU Clark County Master Gardeners

Who do you trust when it comes to gardening advice?

Friends, family, gardening books, social media, and YouTube all offer plenty of suggestions. Some are backed by years of research. Others are based on personal experience, tradition, or marketing.

In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb*, Dr. Bryce Battisti explains what "research-based" means in the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program and why it matters for home gardeners. Learn how research shapes gardening recommendations, why those recommendations sometimes change over time, and where to find information you can trust.

Where do you go when you have a gardening question? We'd love to hear about your favorite trusted resources.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on our website at buff.ly/clM0K3F.

Make sure you take care of your lung health too.

A great video to watch!

What happens when a Portland family ditches lawn for naturescaping? Beyond the Lawn – Episode 1 See how naturescaping transformed a cookie-cutter yard into a dynam...

Our Native Plant for the month of August is Fireweed 🔥

Named Fireweed due to its ability to rapidly grow in burned or disturbed areas. It was one of the first plants to appear after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens.

· Type: deciduous, perennial, herbaceous plant

· Size: 4’-6’ tall, can reach 8’

· Light: full sun, part sun/part shade

· Moisture: moist to dry soil

· Blooms: June - Sept

· Growth: fast and easy to grow

· Wildlife: nectar to hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other insect pollinators; host plant for several species of caterpillars; larval food source for native butterflies and moths; attracts and supports beneficial and other pest-eating insects; food for deer, rabbits, and others.

· Habitat: Portland Plant List – Yes

Photo by Clark County Master Gardener Julia Maglione

The thunderstorms brought some rain last week, but at this time of year, we have some low rainfall. To reduce water usage, you can allow your healthy grass to go dormant. It will come back! For those who like to keep it green, water it a total of 1" per week, and split it between 3 sessions at 1/3" per.

Have a question about your lawn or garden? Email our Answer Clinic with photos if possible to [email protected] or telephone (564) 397-5711. Walk-in Hours are available. Call to confirm. They are usually T, W 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Th, F 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Native Bee Post of the Month by Master Gardener Anne Bulger

Next time you're outside, don't forget to look up!

While we often watch bees visiting flowers, some of their busiest work is happening high in the flowering canopies of trees. Trees provide much more than shade—they offer pollen, nectar, places to rest, and even nesting sites for many of our native bees. Buzzing around in July until the end of August, leafcutter bees use natural cavities in aging trees and line their nursery chambers with perfectly cut circles of leaves. An old tree that's full of character may also be full of life.

So, the next time you take a walk, pause beneath a tree. Listen for the gentle hum above you, or see if you can spot a native leafcutter bee carrying a perfectly cut piece of leaf or searching for just the right nesting cavity.

Many homeowners have reported blueberry crops that are getting hit hard by birds feasting morning, day and night this year. While individual bushes can be netted, it gets costly and difficult to provide a physical barrier for many bushes. But there are other options. It is best to utilize a few different strategies and not rely on just one.

Here are a few options that have been shown to help limit the bird damage:
* Hanging reflective streamers above the bushes creates both a visual and sound deterrent.
* Scarecrows can help trick birds into thinking a human is in the area.
* Believe it or not, grape Kool-Aid can be used as a taste deterrent on your blueberry crops! Grape flavored kool-aid contains methyl anthranilate, the same active ingredient found in the commercial bird deterrent sprays. Spray at a rate of four packets to one gallon of water and reapply weekly.
* Hang large balloons or balls to scare birds.

To read more about non-lethal bird deterrent strategies, check out this great article from OSU Extension:
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9286-nonlethal-bird-deterrent-strategies

Please note, none of these methods work for your four-legged, furry friends :)

The Hockinson Blueberry Fest was a hit! So many of you showed up to chat and spin the wheel. Thanks for a great time 🫐