April - May 2009 High Desert Gardening Magazine

1. High Desert Gardening
I S S U E 4 7 A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 0 9
INSIDE THIS
Plant Profile
ISSUE:
By Amy Jo Detweiler
Watering Needs 2
of Veggies
Looking for a great orna‐ yellow fall color.
Entomologist & 3 mental tree that will not
Fruit: A rounded
Bees get too large and offers
fleshy fruit that is
attractive flowers in spring
Cut Grass Often‐ 4 1/4” in size going
and beautiful bark in win‐
Leave Clippings from red to black
ter? Then you may want
as it ripens. At‐
Calendar of 6 to consider the Amur
tracts birds.
Chokecherry for your land‐
Events
scape. Growth Habit:
Garden 6 May be pyrami‐
Exposure: Full sun to part
Publications dal when young
shade.
going to a more
Garden Tips 7 Prunus maackii
Water: Moderate to low rounded habit as
water use plant. it matures. Grown Amur Chokecherry
as a single or USDA Hardiness Zone: 2‐6
Soil: Well‐drained site.
multi‐trunk tree. Height: 30‐40’
Flower: Fragrant, white
Bark: Glossy and Spread: 25‐35’
flowers in 2‐3” long ra‐
cinnamon‐ brown Native to Korea, Manchuria
3893 SW cemes bloom after the
to copper in
AIRPORT WAY leaves emerge in spring.
color. May exfo‐
REDMOND, OR Foliage: Medium green in liate and be‐
97756 summer with non‐descript come shaggy.
541.548.6088 The Good:
Grows well in
cold climates.
The Bad: Can
sucker at the
base of the
trunk. Needs
pruning

2. PAGE 2
How to meet the watering needs of
growing vegetables
Vegetable gardens in Oregon re‐ more convenient and conserve wa‐
quire regular watering in the sum‐ ter. A typical drip system is run one
mer because of extremely low rain‐ or two hours once or twice a week.
fall during that season. When plan‐ Avoid the tendency to overwater
ning your garden, consider how you with drip systems; the surface may
will meet the future water needs of look dry while the rooting zone is
the plants. wet. If in doubt, check the soil.
Information is available from the The pattern of soil wetting with drip
Oregon State University Extension irrigation is different for sandy and
publication, "Growing Your Own," a clay soils. In sandy soil, the water
practical guide to gardening for first‐ soaks straight in, wetting a narrow
time gardeners that can be accessed vertical band of soil. In clay soil, the
at http:// water spreads more horizontally.
extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ Thus, drip emitters can be placed
html/grow/grow/flash/drip/html . farther apart for clay soil than for
“Consider your soil, Copies of a printed version are at sandy soil. See an animated example
county Extension offices. at http://
your plants and extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/
Soil type is an important factor. Wa‐ html/grow/grow/flash/drip.html
recent weather
ter soaks into and drains through
sandy soil about twice as fast as it Sprinklers tend to waste water by
when determining
does clay soil; it takes longer to wa‐ watering paths and other bare spots
ter to a specified depth in clay soil. in the garden. To avoid losing water
how much and how
Loam soil consists of both clay and to evaporation and wind drift, al‐
often to water your sandy soil. ways water when there is little wind.
Because they wet foliage, sprinklers
garden” You can water by hand with a hose also can promote development of
or a watering can, with soaker hoses leaf diseases.
and drip irrigation systems and with
portable sprinklers. If using oscillating sprinklers, elevate
them above the tallest plants so the
Hand‐watering delivers water di‐ water streams are not blocked and
rectly to the plants, eliminating their patterns overlap. Runoff indi‐
waste. Be sure to water deeply and cates you need to water at a slower
take your time. Spot checks will indi‐ rate.
cate if you are delivering enough
water. Consider your soil, your plants and
recent weather when determining
Drip irrigation systems require an how much and how often to water
initial investment of time and your garden. Sandy soil holds much
money, but, once installed, are (Continued on page 5)
HIGH DESERT GARDENING

3. ISSUE 47 PAGE 3
OSU hires Texas A&M entomologist to
study honeybee health
Oregon State University has hired a tices and pest control.
honeybee researcher from Texas As for research, Sagili said he in‐
A&M University as part of an initia‐ tends to investigate how honeybee
tive to help ensure that there are health is affected by Varroa mites,
enough healthy honeybees to polli‐ pesticides and stress resulting from
nate Oregon's crops. the migration of hives. Sagili said
Sagili's position was created at the Varroa mites, nutritional deficiencies
request of Oregon agricultural or other factors might be the cause
groups worried about the health of colony collapse disorder, which
and supply of honeybees, occurs when adult honey‐
which are crucial pollinators bees abandon a hive. The
Oregon State for many of the state's crops, phenomenon came to light in
University has including blueberries, pears, 2006 when beekeepers on
hired Ramesh cherries, apples and vegeta‐ the East Coast began to see
Sagili to study ble seeds. their honeybee colonies
the health of dwindle.
Oregon's honey‐ Sagili, who earned a doctor‐
bees and help ate in entomology from "Colony collapse disorder is
the state's bee‐ Texas A&M, has two main so complex that it will be a
keepers. The en‐ duties: helping the honeybee long time before we arrive at
tomologist from industry through the OSU Extension a conclusion as to what is causing
Texas A&M Uni‐ Service and conducting research. it,” Sagili said. "But meanwhile, bee‐
versity will start Sagili said his first action as Exten‐ keepers need to take steps to main‐
his new job on sion's honeybee specialist will be to tain healthy and strong colonies."
Feb. 27. Photo: meet with beekeepers and industry It's unclear if the disorder has
representatives to find out what spread to Oregon, said OSU ento‐
problems they face. He also plans to mologist James Young. Young mailed
provide educational workshops at voluntary surveys to beekeepers last
locations convenient for agricultural year to find out what diseases and
producers and to develop a Master pests were affecting their honey‐
Beekeeper program that would pro‐ bees. Of the 43 beekeepers who re‐
vide training to novice and experi‐ turned surveys, 12 reported losing
enced beekeepers. Furthermore, he 2,036 hives to what they thought
plans to create a honeybee Web site was colony collapse disorder be‐
that will provide the latest informa‐ (Continued on page 4)
tion on research, management prac‐

4. PAGE 4
Cut grass often—leave clippings
In case you've been wondering sium, said Cook. You need to rake them or the
what to do with your grass clip‐ grass underneath may be smoth‐
If you plan to leave the clippings,
pings, just leave them on the ered.
mow the lawn often. "Frequent
lawn, advises Tom Cook, former
mowing, about once a week during Be sure the mower blade is sharp
turf grass specialist at Oregon
the growing season, will have a and cuts, not tears, your grass. A
State University.
greater impact on turf quality than sharp blade will also help chop
Unless you've let the lawn grow any other lawn care practice except the clippings into smaller pieces
excessively long, or the clippings irrigation in the summer," he said. "I as you mow over the lawn time
are in thick clumps, grass clippings after time. A mulching mower
are a good source of nutrients. works even better, because it is
Leaving clippings helps save fertil‐ designed to chop up clippings
izer costs and thereby prevents very fine and then deposits them
ground and surface water con‐ down in the turf canopy.
tamination.
Despite rumors to the contrary,
"Our research has shown that we clippings do not promote thatch
can cut the fertilizer application build up. Clippings break down
rate almost in half when we return quickly, often in a matter of a few
clippings with a mulching type ro‐ consider mowing more important weeks. "Virtually all research
tary mower," explained Cook. than fertilizer if clippings are re‐ conducted with turf has shown
"And on lawns growing in clay turned via a mulching mower. If clip‐ that grass clippings do not in‐
soils, I have produced acceptable pings are removed, then the only crease thatch," Cook said. "In
quality turf for as long as 12 years way to keep fertility up is to keep most cases, thatch increases as
without adding any fertilizer at adding more fertilizer." mowing height increases."
all." Your grass should be cut often By: Carol Savonen
Grass clippings contain up to the enough so that not more than one‐
third of the grass blade is removed Source: Tom Cook
equivalent per weight of 3‐4 per‐
cent nitrogen, .5 percent phos‐ at any one time. Don't leave piles of
phorus and 2.5‐3.5 percent potas‐ heavy, wet clippings on the lawn.
Honeybees oversees OSU Extension's Honey Young's survey did confirm that
Bee Diagnostic Service. The service American foulbrood and Varroa
(Continued from page 3) was added to OSU's Insect ID Clinic mites continue to be what he
tween January 2006 and March last year in response to concerns called "a serious threat" to apicul‐
2008. from farmers, apiculturists and the ture in Oregon. Young and Sagili
Young emphasized, however, that general public about honeybee plan to conduct a more compre‐
this doesn’t mean that colony col‐ health. It checks for the presence of hensive examination of the health
lapse disorder exists in Oregon. An non‐viral diseases and pests, includ‐ of Oregon's honeybees.
apiary inspector would need to visit ing American and European foul‐ By: Tiffany Woods
the hives and verify the beekeepers' brood, chalkbrood, stonebrood and Source: Ramesh Sagili
self‐diagnoses, said Young, who Varroa mites.
HIGH DESERT GARDENING

5. ISSUE 47 PAGE 5
How to meet the watering needs of growing vegetables
(Continued from page 2) ter to a specified depth in clay soil. leaf diseases.
Loam soil consists of both clay and
less water than clay soils. Larger sandy soil. If using oscillating sprinklers, elevate
plants consume more water than them above the tallest plants so the
seedlings. Hot, windy weather dries You can water by hand with a hose water streams are not blocked and
out the soil. or a watering can, with soaker hoses their patterns overlap. Runoff indi‐
and drip irrigation systems and with cates you need to water at a slower
Instead of developing a watering portable sprinklers. rate.
schedule, monitor your garden to Hand‐watering delivers water di‐
determine watering needs through‐ rectly to the plants, eliminating Consider your soil, your plants and
out the growing season. Different waste. Be sure to water deeply and recent weather when determining
plants have different needs. take your time. Spot checks will indi‐ how much and how often to water
cate if you are delivering enough your garden. Sandy soil holds much
• Germinating seeds and seedlings water. less water than clay soils. Larger
need to be kept uniformly moist and plants consume more water than
not washed away; water them with Drip irrigation systems require an seedlings. Hot, windy weather dries
a gentle spray every day or two. be initial investment of time and out the soil.
kept uniformly moist and not money, but, once installed, are
washed away; water them with a more convenient and conserve wa‐ Instead of developing a watering
gentle spray every day or two. ter. A typical drip system is run one schedule, monitor your garden to
• Developing plants need to be or two hours once or twice a week. determine watering needs through‐
watered deeply, but less often, to Avoid the tendency to overwater out the growing season. Different
encourage deep root growth. Water with drip systems; the surface may plants have different needs.
to a depth of at Vegetable gardens look dry while the rooting zone is
in Oregon require regular watering wet. If in doubt, check the soil. • Germinating seeds and seedlings
in the summer because of extremely need to least six inches and then let
low rainfall during that season. The pattern of soil wetting with drip the surface inch or two completely
When planning your garden, con‐ irrigation is different for sandy and dry out before watering again.
sider how you will meet the future clay soils. In sandy soil, the water • Crops such as lettuce, beets,
water needs of the plants. soaks straight in, wetting a narrow green beans and chard draw water
vertical band of soil. In clay soil, the from the top foot or less of soil.
Information is available from the water spreads more horizontally. Thoroughly soak the rooting zone
Oregon State University Extension Thus, drip emitters can be placed and then don't water until the plants
publication, "Growing Your Own," a farther apart for clay soil than for show signs of needing additional
practical guide to gardening for first‐ sandy soil. See an animated example water such as turning a dark bluish
time gardeners that can be accessed at http:// green or wilting during the hottest
at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ part of the day.
extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ html/grow/grow/flash/drip.html • Corn, tomatoes, asparagus and
html/grow/grow/ Copies of a rhubarb have deep root systems
printed version are at county Exten‐ Sprinklers tend to waste water by that allow them to draw water from
sion offices. watering paths and other bare spots the top two feet of soil. Deep‐
in the garden. To avoid losing water rooted plants need water less fre‐
Soil type is an important factor. Wa‐ to evaporation and wind drift, al‐ quently, but need more water to
ter soaks into and drains through ways water when there is little wind. reach the rooting depth.
sandy soil about twice as fast as it Because they wet foliage, sprinklers • As a general guideline, garden
does clay soil; it takes longer to wa‐ also can promote development of (Continued on page 7)

6. PAGE 6
Calendar of events
• April 24 & 25th ‐ Spring Gardening Seminars in Redmond at Eagle Crest Resort
presented by the Central Oregon Chapter of OSU Master Gardeners. Keynote
speaker, Jurgen Hess will speak on natives, Friday night and again on Saturday.
Other classes include organic vegetable gardening, bee keeping, season extenders,
ornamental grasses, turf grass maintenance, and more. Classes are $10 each or
register for all day packages. On Saturday attend several garden classes and a fun
garden market. To register check out our website at: http://
extension.oregonstate.edu/deschutes/
• May 2nd ‐ Opening Day for Hollinshead Community Garden in Bend from 9:00
am—1:00 pm. Cost to rent a plot for the season is $20. For more information con‐
tact Jacquie at 593‐9305.
Check out these Publications
Mulching Woody Ornamentals with Organic Materials
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/ec/ec1629‐e.pdf
Growing Your Own
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/grow/grow
Pruning Landscape Trees
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1619/eb1619.pdf
HIGH DESERT GARDENING

7. ISSUE 47 PAGE 7
Garden Tips for April and May
APRIL • If you haven’t fertilized your and keeping it moist.
bulbs yet, now is a good time.
In the landscape • Mid April through May is the
Use a fertilizer high in phospho‐ best time to dethatch and aer‐
• Prune your deciduous trees and rous (the second number on the ate your lawn. Rent a de‐
shrubs, using proper pruning fertilizer bag) for example, 0‐46‐ thatcher from the rental shop
techniques. Be careful not to 0.
prune your flowering trees and and pull up and remove thatch,
• You may need to get out the follow with a fertilizer applica‐
shrubs that bloom on last years lawnmower and mow the lawn
growth (old wood), for example tion to stimulate rapid recovery.
by the middle of April. • Repair or change your sprinkler
your lilacs. Wait until these
plants are finished blooming system to be more efficient.
Vegetable Gardening
and then prune shortly after • Now is the time to manage your
• Direct seed your beets, lettuce, weeds when they are small. First
the flowers die off. If you are
peas, radish, and spinach. identify the weed, then remove
not certain about when to
prune your plant contact the • Transplant your broccoli, cab‐ by hand, mechanically, or
OSU Extension Service or your bage, onions, that you may have chemically. Do not allow them
local garden center to find out. started from seed. to flower and go to seed.
• Apply a dormant horticultural • Prepare garden soil for spring
oil to your deciduous trees and planting by adding organic matter Vegetable Gardening
shrubs with a history of insect including manures and compost • Direct seed your carrots, corn
problems, this product will or planting a cover crop (green (late May), chard, kohlrabi, and
smother overwintering eggs manure) such as ryegrass, buck‐ potatoes.
and the crawler stage of many wheat, or barley. • Transplant your brussel sprouts,
insects such as aphids, spider cauliflower, cucumbers (late
mites and scale. A lighter horti‐ MAY May), leeks, or peppers.
cultural oil should be used on • Protect your plants and crops
your evergreens and deciduous In the landscape
from frost by using row cover or
trees and shrubs after they • Continue to work your compost walls of water.
have leafed out. pile, by turning, adding materials
How to meet the watering needs of growing vegetables
(Continued from page 5)
with water, leaving little or no oxy‐
gen for roots and leaches away nu‐
plants that have been watered prop‐ trients.
erly, and therefore have developed • Postponing irrigation after
deep roots, need a thorough water‐ plants show signs of needing water
ing every five to seven days in hot can damage plants quickly in hot
weather. weather. Observe your plants every
day or two and respond to their
Avoid these common watering prob‐ needs promptly.
lems:
• Frequent, shallow watering pro‐ By: Judy Scott
tible to drought.
motes shallow roots that are suscep‐ • Overwatering can fill soil pores Source: Gail Langellotto

8. Deschutes County Extension Service Desert Gardening
High
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